RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) --Local music legend Dave Brockie, frontman for GWAR, was found dead on a sofa in his North Richmond home Sunday evening. A roommate found the 50-year-old singer and artist and called for help.
According to law enforcement sources, based on evidence gathered at the house, Brockie’s death is being investigated as drug-related.
The state Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death.
A key part of that determination will be a toxicology report, which can take six weeks or more to process.
One of GWAR's previous guitarists, Cory Smoot, died suddenly while on tour in November 2011. The North Dakota medical examiner later determined the 34-year-old died from heart failure due to pre-existing coronary artery disease.
Founded in the 1980s by Brockie and fellow VCU art students, GWAR gained international fame for its brand of heavy metal music and outrageous stage show.
GWAR was nominated for the Best Long Form Music Video Grammy award in 1993, but lost to Annie Lennox. GWAR was nominated for Best Metal Performance in 1995, but lost to Nine Inch Nails.
Brockie, who performed under the stage name Oderus Urungus, also appeared as a contributor on Fox News Channel.
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