Lead singer of heavy metal band held in murder-for-hire case

SAN DIEGO -- The lead singer and co-founder of the heavy metal band As I Lay Dying was arrested Tuesday in Oceanside on suspicion of trying to hire a hit man to kill his estranged wife, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department said.

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

Lambesis, a guitarist and member of the group since it formed in 2000, was booked into the Vista jail on suspicion of soliciting a murder.

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

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.”

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

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tony.perry@latimes.com