Chad Gilbert of rock band New Found Glory is dead at 45 after years-long battle with cancer

Chad Gilbert, the lead guitarist and founding member of the punk rock band New Found Glory, has died at 45.

Gilbert's former bandmates announced in an Instagram post on Sunday that he had died earlier that morning.

'On the morning of September 20th, Chad Everett Gilbert passed away peacefully in his sleep,' they wrote. 'He left this world surrounded by friends and family and took his final breaths with his wife and mother by his side, just as he wished.'

'We are devastated and shocked by how quickly he left us, yet so grateful for how peacefully and smoothly he went,' the post continued. 'The amount of visitors that crowded the hospital lobby at a moment’s notice is a testament to how beloved and cherished Chad was, and always will be.

'He was a legendary musician, but his favorite accomplishment was being a husband and father. His biggest dreams came true.'

The somber announcement – which was credited to Gilbert's widow Lisa Cimorelli and his bandmates Jordan Pundik, Ian Grushka, Cyrus Bolooki and current touring guitarist Dan O'Connor – comes just three months after Gilbert made a tearful return to the stage following surgery to remove three brain tumors.

The post noted that Gilbert is 'survived by his wife Lisa, his daughter, Lily, his mother, Jackie, and his brother, Brian.'

Gilbert's band members and wife credited his 'guitar playing, songwriting, humor, and relentless drive' for shaping 'New Found Glory for nearly three decades.' 

'Through more than a dozen albums, endless tours around the world, and more accolades than we ever could have imagined, Chad challenged all of us to grow as musicians, performers, and human beings,' they wrote.

'While we are devastated to lose him, we are so grateful for the incredible life he lived, the memories we shared, and the brotherhood we had,' they continued. 'His influence will always be part of New Found Glory and his spirit will be felt on every stage we stand on, with every note we play.'

They concluded by adding: 'Rest in peace, Chad. We love you forever ❤️.'

Back in June of this year, Gilbert was left fighting back tears as he returned to the stage in a wheelchair for his first show in Nashville amid his battle with a rare adrenal cancer.

The rocker shared he was left 'struggling to control' the movements of his left hand during a gig in Nashville on February 20. 

He was then rushed to hospital by medics three days later when he began stumbling and falling. 

Gilbert revealed four years ago that he had been diagnosed with a rare adrenal gland cancer called pheochromocytoma.

During his return show in June, the star became emotional as he gave a special shout-out to the medical professionals who had treated him since he was diagnosed.

 'I want to thank all of the nurses and doctors who have kept me alive for the past four years,' he said. 'I want to be here with my four-year-old daughter who wouldn't have seen me play tonight if it wasn't for you, so thank you.'

In February, Gilbert had been taken to a hospital after struggling to control the movements in his hand, and a CT scan then revealed that three new tumors had appeared in his brain. 

The guitarist underwent brain surgery and was able to regain the function of his left hand immediately. 

Taking to Instagram after surgery, he wrote: 'My radiation oncologist described it like this: “this is not a fatal blow and not the end of your story, just the beginning of a new chapter.” 

'My recovery has been bumpy at times but I’m feeling much better now and getting stronger by the day. Thankful to everyone who’s checked in on me and helped my family during this lengthy and challenging journey,' he wrote.

'Love you all and am looking forward to sharing more music and fun with you as we come out of this.'

Gilbert was first diagnosed with cancer in 2021 after his wife Lisa Cimorelli found him unconscious in bed.

After being rushed to a hospital, doctors discovered that he had a large adrenal gland tumor that had spread to his liver.

He had surgery to remove the growth, along with half of his liver and gallbladder, and was declared cancer-free the following month.

However, in August 2022, the rare cancer returned in his spine, forcing the musician to undergo a grueling six-hour operation.

The following year, Gilbert began doing chemotherapy treatments after nodules were discovered in his lungs.

Gilbert was previously married to Paramore's Hayley Williams, whom he began dating in 2008, before saying 'I do' in 2016.

However, their marriage was short-lived, and the former couple separated the following year and finalized their divorce several months later.

Williams previously shared how she battled depression following their divorce and sought inpatient treatment.

'I had to get therapy. I was having a lot of bad dreams,' she said. 

The Paramore singer continued: 'My most memorable recurring dreams from childhood are all water-related. I started to have a lot of those again. It resulted in me having panic attacks, and I ended up in a hospital.'

Prior to their marriage, Gilbert had an even shorter first marriage to the singer Sherri DuPree. The two wed in February 2007 and then divorced later that year.

He and his third and final wife, Lisa Cimorelli, married in 2020 and welcomed a daughter in July 2021.

Gilbert was part of the original five musicians who formed the punk and alternative group New Found Glory in the late 1990s.