A drug overdose is suspected in the death of former Weezer bass player Mikey Welsh, who was found in a Chicago hotel room Saturday afternoon.
Welsh, 40, was found unresponsive on the floor after failing to check out of his room at the Raffaello Hotel, 201 East Delaware Place at 1 p.m. Saturday, according to Chicago Police News Affairs Officer Laura Kubiak. Hotel staff found him.
Police said a cleaning crew tried to open the door to Welsh’s hotel room and was unable to get in, thinking maybe luggage was blocking the entrance. Another hotel employee then pushed the door open and saw Welsh lying unresponsive near the door, police said. Hotel staffers called 911 shortly before Welsh was pronounced dead.
Welsh was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:50 p.m., according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. The cause of death was pending toxicology results, but authorities said narcotics are suspected.
Police said prescription drugs were found in Welsh’s hotel room along with a ziplock-type bag containing white powder, which was suspected to be heroin.
Weezer is in town for the Chicago RiotFest tonight, according to the band’s web page, and Welsh was expected to catch their show.
Welsh, 40, of Burlington, Vt., performed with Weezer from 1998 to 2001, leaving after suffering a nervous breakdown, according to the band’s website. He eventually established himself in a second career as a painter.
“I’m taking a break from music,” he told MetroWest Daily News in 2002. “I really feel the need to reinvent myself and move on, and I couldn’t be happier painting. Music is still an important part of my life, but I really have no desire to actually play it.”
The group’s “Weezerpedia” page carried a note this morning that read, “As many of you may have heard, Mikey Welsh has passed away. “The news was announced via his official Facebook page earlier in the evening. Understanding that many here are grieving, Weezerpedia has created a digital eulogy page for Mikey Welsh where fans can post stories, pictures, or thoughts. R.I.P. Mikey.”
Scott Shriner, the band’s current bassist, posted a short note to his Twitter account at about 12 a.m. Sunday.
“Really bummed about Mikey. My heart goes out to his family and friends. Such a talent… he made a special mark on the world with his art.
