It must not be easy to be Tera Wray right now. Her husband, Wayne Static passed away this weekend in his sleep. Almost immediately after his death was confirmed, many musicians started posting tributes to the late Static-X frontman. One in particular, from Papa Roach frontman Jacoby Shaddix (He'll always be Coby Dick to me!) seemed to imply that Static died of an overdose. At the time, Shaddix wrote:
Too many musicians are dying from overdoses. I’m serious addiction is real and takes fools out. No one is invincible. So glad I live a sober life today. The number of friends that I have lost to addiction is crazy. If you are struggling with addiction get some help before it’s too late. I know drugs and partying are part of the ‘rock n roll lifestyle’ but damn how many more gotta die??? F–k the lifestyle I want life!!!! See you on the other side Wayne …
Shortly after news started spreading of the assumed overdose, Wayne Static's PR person sent out another note stating that Static died in his sleep. At that point, it may have been too late. Shaddix has since apologized about his statement. But it may have been too late. Even though Wayne's widow, Tera Wray posted an official statement yesterday, she wanted to make it clear that drugs had nothing (directly) to do with his death. She also took some time to indirectly call out Shaddix:
Today is my husband’s birthday and instead of celebrating his 49th year of life, we are grieving his short 48 years. It has come to my attention that many have questions and opinions about the cause of the death of my husband in which I now find is necessary to further respond.
Wayne was not taking drugs, if anything he was a drinker, and did not OD. The autopsy will be done by this weekend at the soonest, however for some of the test results it will take up to 6 months to get the actual death certificate finalized. I hope that the results I am given will have some insight, but they told me what I will receive this weekend will be deemed incomplete until all tests are back.
We can all have opinions as to why – We all know that both Wayne and I had abused narcotics with alcohol in the past, which I am sure took a toll on his body, heart and soul. We were packing to travel on tour and were to leave that night, but it was Halloween and we decided to leave in the morning with our animals. I wish we had traveled that night then maybe had he fallen ill we could have gotten to the hospital. I will never know.
I find it disrespectful to our families and myself for negative spins that are being posted. For Wayne’s music peers to take it upon themselves to make comment about us, when they are not part of our daily lives or know us outside of tour and music, just to grab a headline to get themselves at the top of the gossip page is disgusting. This is not about you or what you feel is your expert opinion on people you have no relationship with, so shame on you – Do not act like we liked your band either. Wayne was a good soul and he is gone – That is what we do know. Please show some respect to him and his memory – We thank all that have left kind and positive messages in support of this terrible time – I am sure Wayne misses you too …… Tera Wray Static.
To be fair, she may not be directly calling out Shaddix. Fear Factory's Dino Cazares also made some indirect claims about Wayne Static's past drug use, but Shaddix's comment got the most publicity.
Our thoughts are with Wray at this difficult time.
