Several members of the controversial metal band As I Lay Dying have abruptly left the group, citing undisclosed “personal” issues.
“My time playing with As I Lay Dying has come to an end today. I leave with so much gratitude for everyone who followed and supported me from my days in Unearth to this era of my career,” Ken Susi wrote via Instagram on Thursday, October 24. “I jumped into the AILD camp with full knowledge of the heightened dramatic history but had a drive to just play great music with great friends.”
He continued, “Unfortunately, my personal morals have recently been tested to a breaking point, and it’s not the saddest ending to what could have been the greatest second chance for this band.”
As I Lay Dying was re-founded by singer Tim Lambesis in 2018, following his two-year prison sentence for soliciting the murder of a past partner. Lambesis was arrested in 2013 for attempting to hire an undercover police officer to murder his then-wife, Meggan Lambesis, after claiming she restricted his visitation rights with their three children. The singer pleaded guilty the next year and was sentenced to six years in prison. Tim was released from jail on parole in February 2017.
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When AILD returned, Lambesis, 43, was accompanied by fellow founding members Phil Sgrosso, Nick Hippa, Josh Gilbert and Jordan Mancino. After Hippa, Gilbert and Mancino all quit in 2020, Susi, Nick Pierce and Ryan Neff joined in their places. The trio are now all leaving the group.
“As of today, I have made the decision to leave As I Lay Dying,” Neff, 36, wrote via Instagram on October 18. “This choice comes after much reflection, and I believe it is the right step for my personal and professional journey. I am grateful for the experiences and connections I’ve made during my time with the band. Thank you to all the fans for your support.”
According to Susi, he regretted waiting nearly one week to follow in his former bandmate’s footsteps.
“Ryan Neff is receiving a lot of backlash for stepping down first,” Susi wrote on Thursday. “I regret not sharing this decision sooner and standing confidently with my friend — he’s a flawless musician and an even better person.”
It is not known why Susi and Neff decided to leave AILD, but Pierce also alluded to similar personal issues in his own public statement announcing his departure.
“As of now, I am no longer playing drums for As I Lay Dying,” Pierce wrote. “This is far from being the ending I anticipated, and I feel I need to distance myself from the band in an effort to retain my personal health and integrity.”
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The drummer added, “I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who followed and supported me throughout this journey. My goal has and always will be to create unforgettable memories with my friends and write music that will truly resonate with our fans. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished on the road touring, as well as writing and recording drums for the new album.”
Lambesis has not addressed any of his former musicians’ exits or future plans for AILD, which restarted after his prison release.
Tim went on to marry Amanda Dubord in April 2017, but they separated three years later. He is now married to Dany Ciara after tying the knot in 2022.
“Happy birthday to my beautiful Mrs Dany Lambesis. We’re going to celebrate today and then again when we get home next week,” Tim wrote in an August Instagram post that was edited on Thursday. “Her favorite is a fancy crab dinner 🦀. I love you.”
