GWAR guitarist Cory Smoot found dead

GWAR guitarist Cory Smoot—perhaps better known to fans as the character “Flattus Maximus”—was found dead this morning by his bandmates as they prepared to cross the Canadian border. No cause of death has been revealed at this time, nor has a plan been announced for the band's remaining tour dates with Every Time I Die. You can read a brief statement from the band here.

The group expects to issue a full statement in the next couple of days. Smoot joined GWAR in 2002.