As I Lay Dying’s Tim Lambesis Offers Apology to Family: ‘I Do Not Feel Deserving of a Second Chance’
In May 2013, As I Lay Dying vocalist Tim Lambesis was arrested for attempting to hire a hitman to murder his estranged wife. Four-and-a-half years later, Lambesis has taken to As I Lay Dying’s Facebook page to offer an apology for his actions.
After initially pleading “not guilty,” Lambesis changed his plea to “guilty” in early 2014, receiving a six-year prison sentence on murder-for-hire charges. However, Lambesis was granted parole on December 17, 2016. In the year that Lambesis has been free, the vocalist has remained relatively quiet, only posting the word “activity” via AILD’s social media in June 2017.
Lambesis’ new apology reads:
Words cannot begin to express how deeply sorry I am for the hurt that I have caused. There is no defense for what I did, and I look back on the person I became with as much disdain as many of you likely do.
First, I apologize to my former wife and remarkable children for my appalling actions. There’s not a single day that goes by where I don’t wish I could undo the damage I caused, and out of respect for their wishes I will not discuss anything else about them (now or in the future). I also ask anyone reading this to promote healing for them by respecting their privacy and defending them from any negativity or anger which should be directed towards me. I was the sole offender and the only one to blame for everything that happened.
To my family, I apologize for the trauma you faced and may still feel. This is an ongoing sentence many of you serve because of me. I am so sorry to my friends who were betrayed by everything I hid from them and all the hardships I caused people who used to work with me. Band mates, road crew, managers, attorneys, agents, label people, and more all had to suffer through many unexpected changes because of my actions. While they were dealing with the aftermath of my arrest, I responded toward many of them with bitterness that I should have directed toward myself. I know that I can’t undo the animosity I brought their way, but I hope to mend what I can now as time goes on.
To the people who looked up to me as an artist, I let you down in so many ways. I tried to show my best side to the public, while feeding an ugly growing monster behind closed doors. I wrote lyrics about the person I wanted to be rather than the person that I was. I was living a life that lacked empathy and viewed everything through a self-motivated lens.
I cannot say for certain what life looks like going forward as so much is different now and I’m still learning. Music always has and always will be a part of me, and has helped me get through the darkest parts of my journey. However, this apology is not a part of promoting anything. Rumors circulate, and that’s something I’ve learned to accept, but this apology is just that, an apology to everyone around me.
I’ve remained silent to the public since expressing remorse at my sentencing because time seemed like the best way to promote healing. Today marks the first opportunity to freely apologize without any motivation to gain favor from the courts, as I have now completed the entirety of my legal sentence (including the completion of all parole/probation requirements). Let it be clear that no amount of time served can right my wrongs. I do not feel deserving of a second chance and am not asking for anyone’s trust. The way many people feel about me makes sense, and only time will tell if my future actions line up with my remorse, something I pray for every day. In the last five years, the ripple effect of all my actions has extended further than a written statement can address. Thus, I will continue to apologize in both words and actions moving forward.
Thank you for reading,
Tim
I should be noted that Lambesis posted this apology on the one-year anniversary of his release from prison. Lambesis reveals he is now a completely free man, having completed his year of probation.
What does this mean for Tim Lambesis’ music career and the future of As I Lay Dying? Stay tuned to Loudwire as updates roll in.
See As I Lay Dying in the 50 Best Metal Bands Who Released Their First Album in the 21st Century
10 Shocking Crimes in Rock + Metal History