Hayley Williams breaks silence on death of ex-husband and New Found Glory member Chad Gilbert... three days after his death at 45

Hayley Williams broke silence on the tragic death of her ex-husband and New Found Glory member Chad Gilbert in an emotional tribute on Wednesday. 

The lead guitarist and founding member of the punk rock band passed away at the age of 45 on September 20 following a years-long battle with cancer. 

Williams and Gilbert previously married in 2016 before announcing their separation the next year. 

The Paramore singer, 37, penned a message to her Instagram stories which read: 'Have not known what to say or if it's appropriate. 

'But I feel sure now that I want to bc life is made of the paths we cross and the reasons we cross them are infinite.' 

Williams called Gilbert 'a legend in the scene' before reflecting that 'my time connected to him taught me a lot.' 

'He introduced me to people that continue to shape my life in beautiful ways, and to music and culture that has made life a lot richer.' 

She added that, 'There isn't much that hasn't already been said about what he contributed to the musical world a lot of us grew up in.' 

Williams wrote that the punk genre was able to move forward due to Gilbert's 'influence and attitude.' 

'His passion for fostering the community was inspiring and sticks with me.' 

In conclusion, the songstress said she will 'forever be grateful that from him I gained a deeper understanding and a reverence for the community and the culture of hardcore. 

'Sending love and my sympathies to his family, NFG fam, and all his friends.' 

Daily Mail has reached out to reps of Williams for comment, but has yet to hear back. 

Williams and Gilbert began dating in 2008. The pair became engaged in 2014 before saying 'I do' in early 2016. 

However, in 2017, the music artists separated and their divorce was finalized later that same year. 

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

She also opened up about the marriage in an op-ed that she penned for Paper Magazine back in 2018. 

'I had a wedding ring on, despite breaking off the engagement only months before,' the Decode singer had written at the time.   

'A lot happened within a short time. But then I didn't eat, I didn't sleep, I didn't laugh… for a long time.' 

In 2020, Williams released the track titled Dead Horse which gave insight into their relationship following the divorce. 

Over the past weekend on Sunday, Gilbert's former bandmates announced in an Instagram post 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.

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.

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.