Former Hatebreed guitarist Lou "Boulder" Richards has passed away. Richards performed on both Satisfaction is the Death of Desire and the follow up, Perseverence before parting ways with the band in 2002.

Punknews.org obtained a statement from Hatebreed frontman Jamey Jasta:

"As many of you may have heard, and we were sorry to learn, our former guitar player Lou "Boulder" Richards passed away yesterday. It is very unfortunate that he could not see any other way to conquer his demons. We hope he has finally found some peace. Our hearts go out to Vera and his family and friends.

Details on the circumstances are being withheld until his friends and family can be notified.

Punknews.org offers our deepest condolences to everyone affected by this.