Athens, GA — A man who lost both of his bandmates in a fatal accident speaks out for the first time since he was released from the hospital. Lead guitarist of the band Wormreich Chris Pyle says Ian McKinney and Paul Truesdell felt more like brothers. He says to not let the persona of a heavy metal band define them. Pyle says his deceased band members were kind and gentle. He adds that the band’s beliefs do not justify the hate he has received on social media.
“We’re not going to change because you people somehow think we brought this on ourselves.”
Pyle has lashed out against comments on social media from people who reviled the band’s satanic beliefs and music style.
The members of Wormreich left South Carolina to go to Atlanta for their final leg of the bands four state tour Monday, but they never made it to their last show. Three men died at the scene of the van crash — two were Pyle’s “band brothers” McKinney and Truesdell.
Charges are pending as The Georgia State Patrol is still investigating what caused the crash and it could take several months. One band member remains at Athens Regional in critical condition.
