Arrest of As I Lay Dying’s Tim Lambesis ‘prevented a tragedy’

The arrest of the lead singer and co-founder of the heavy metal band As I Lay Dying on charges he tried to hire a man to kill his estranged wife began with a tip last week, authorities said.

Tim Lambesis, 32, of Carlsbad was arrested without incident Tuesday in Oceanside while shopping. He is accused of attempting to find someone to kill his estranged wife, who lives in Encinitas.

Lambesis had tried to hire an undercover sheriff’s detective for the killing, authorities said. The meeting was arranged after detectives learned of Lambesis’ desire to have his wife killed, authorities said.

“You might think that you’re talking to someone that’s trusted,” said Jan Caldwell, spokeswoman for San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, told Fox 5 in San Diego. “You might be talking to someone you know. But if you’re looking to do something wrong and something bad, most people aren’t going to let that rest. They’re going to take that to a higher authority.”

The arrest “prevented a tragedy,” Caldwell added.

The San Diego County-based band specializes in music that includes “thrash metal” sounds and “beat-down hard-core punk.” Lambesis provides guitar riffs and what are described as “growled vocals.” He is a guitarist in the group, which formed in 2000.

In various interviews, Lambesis has insisted that while the lyrics to the band’s songs may seem harsh, the five members are Christians and the songs include Christian themes of forgiveness and struggle.

Lambesis was booked into the Vista jail on suspicion of soliciting a murder and conspiracy to commit a crime. He is being held without bail, records show.

ALSO:

Magnitude 3 quake strikes near Hawthorne, Nev.

510 texting, cellphone tickets issued in Newport Beach

Ex-NFL wide receiver Titus Young arrested in Riverside County

tony.perry@latimes.com