Tragedy struck Bury Your Dead drummer Mark Castillo and his girlfriend, Hillary Reed, on October 18 when they lost their home and belongings in a fire.
Citing a report from Republican American, a newspaper that serves the New Hartford, CT area where Castillo and Reed live, MetalSucks said that the fire originated on the roof and that a roofing contractor who was already there may have tried to extinguish the fire before calling for help.
The same report says that multiple fire trucks responded to the scene and that firefighters were able to rescue the couple's two cats, avoiding any further tragedy on that day. Most of Reed and Castillo's belongings were lost in the fire, though. In response, Bury Your Dead vocalist Mat Bruso and his wife Angie set up a GoFundMe to help the couple get back on their feet.
The GoFundMe statement reads:
"On Wednesday, 10/18, Mark Castillo and his girlfriend, Hillary Reed's home was destroyed in a devastating fire. While the home will be covered by insurance, the complete and total loss of all their personal belongings will never be fully recognized and will never be recovered from. We have set up this GoFundMe to ask everyone who has ever had their lives touched by Mark or Hillary to help them get through the coming years, as they try to get their lives back in order.
"Anyone who knows Mark knows he is the most kind person you could hope to meet. His talent as a drummer has inspired many. His contributions to so many bands over the years has influenced a huge audience. Bury Your Dead, Emmure, Between the Buried and Me, and Crossfade are just a few of the bands Mark has been a part of, and the members of every band he has ever toured with will tell you he is a very caring, positive, incredibly humble musician.
"Hillary is no less caring. She is no stranger to putting others before herself. Running her small farm in New Hartford, CT, she looks after numerous animals and, while we are all grateful that none of the animals were hurt in the fire, their lives have also been affected. Hillary will have to tend to them without a home on the property. While Hillary and Mark both have lost their shelter and all their things, Hillary's primary focus in this time will be on the well-being of the animals in her care.
"The logistics of piecing a life back together are impossible to navigate and the items of personal significance Mark and Hillary have lost will never be replaced. The purpose of this fund is to help Mark and Hillary get access to much needed cash to help where insurance falls short. It may be food, furniture, lost wages, or something to tend to the animals — all we know is they are going to need the support and there are none more deserving."
