Warner Bros. Records James Owen Sullivan, who as drummer for the Orange County-based group Avenged Sevenfold went by the stage name "The Rev," was found dead Monday at his home in Huntington Beach.
O.C. police say the 28-year-old musician appears to have died of natural causes; meanwhile, the coroner's office is investigating.
Avenged Sevenfold, which formed in 1999, was named Best New Artist in a Video for "Bat Country" at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards.
"It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we tell you of the passing today of Jimmy 'The Rev' Sullivan," bandmates M Shadows (Matt Sanders), Synyster Gates (Brian Haner Jr.), Zacky Vengeance (Zachary Baker) and Johnny Christ (Jon Seward) said in a message on their website.
"Jimmy was not only one of the world's best drummers, but more importantly he was our best friend and brother. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jimmy's family and we hope that you will respect their privacy during this difficult time."
Sullivan is survived by his wife, Leana Silver.
