David Roach, the frontman of metal band Junkyard, has died at age 59 following a months-long battle with aggressive skin cancer, PEOPLE reports. His death on August 3 came just two weeks after marrying his wife Jennifer.
The band confirmed Roach’s passing in an emotional Instagram post on Sunday, writing that he “passed away peacefully last night at home, in the loving arms of his wife” after what they described as a “courageous battle with cancer.”
Roach had been diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma affecting his head, neck and throat in January, according to a GoFundMe page established to help with his medical expenses.
The aggressive form of skin cancer, which is the second most common form of the disease, was publicly revealed in June when the band shared news of his diagnosis with fans.
In a tribute, his bandmates remembered Roach as “a gifted artist, performer, songwriter, and singer — but above all, a devoted father, husband, and brother.” They expressed their condolences to “the entire Roach family and everyone who loved him.”
Just weeks before his death, Roach married his partner Jennifer on July 20 in a ceremony attended by his fellow band members. Photos shared on Junkyard’s Instagram showed the ailing singer in a wheelchair surrounded by his bandmates, and another image captured the moment he exchanged rings with his bride at the altar.
Roach joined Junkyard in 1987. They quickly found success, releasing their self-titled album the following year after signing with Geffen Records. Though the band split in 1992 after being dropped by their label, they reunited in 2000.
This story was written with the assistance of AI.
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