Ex-Weezer Bassist Mikey Welsh Dies At 40 After Predicting Own Death

Weezer's former bass player Mikey Welsh was in Chicago to see his old band perform, the 40-year old was found dead by hotel staff prior to the show. The strangest part of the story is that he actually foresaw his untimely passing.

Welsh served as the bassist for Weezer from 1998 to 2001 and played on some of the band's most popular songs, including 'Hash Pipe' and 'Island in the Sun'. Welsh departed the band after a nervous breakdown, but in recent years became an artist whose works have appeared on Burton snowboards and the cover of  Twin Berlins' debut album (which can be seen below).

Welsh had embarked on a his first vacation in a long time to go see his old bandmates play in Chicago over the weekend. On October 8th, staff at the Rafaello Hotel discovered him unconscious and not breathing after he failed to check out.

News of his "unexpected" death was first reported by his family via Twitter, yet it was not a surprise to everyone. On September 26th, Welsh posted the following eerily cryptic message on Twitter himself:

"Dreamt I died in Chicago next weekend (heart attack in my sleep). Need to write my will today."

Welsh later corrected his timing mix up saying, "Correction: weekend after next." Whether this was a desperate cry for help or a genuine vision of his own doom will probably never be clear. The autopsy results were inconclusive and it will take up to 6 weeks for the toxicology test results. However, the police have stated that they do not believe foul play was a factor in Welsh's death.

Weezer took to the internet to express their feelings about their former bassists passing:

"Our beautiful, hilarious and sweet friend Mikey Welsh has passed away at the very young age of 40. A unique talent, a deeply loving friend and father, and a great artist is gone, but we will never forget him. His chapter in the Weezer story was vital, essential, wild and amazing."

Welsh's family has announced that there will be a public memorial to celebrate his life this Saturday (Oct. 15th) in Burlington, Virginia. More details will be announced via his Facebook page soon.