PONTYPRIDD, Wales, March 17 (UPI) -- Fans of Welsh heavy metal band Blood Retch are mourning the suicide of singer-songwriter Gareth Bonetto, whose stage name was Eddie Richards.
His body was found hanged at his Yr Hendre home in Nantgarw near Pontypridd, the South Wales Echo reported Thursday. The cremated remains of the depressed 29-year-old bachelor were laid to rest Monday.
"He had a heart of gold and was idolized by my two children," said his sister Sarah, 25. "He was their star, taken before he could realize his dream. He used to talk about becoming famous, a millionaire able to design and build his own mansion and make sure none of us had to struggle any more. He was my life."
The band's lead guitarist, Lee Jones, said the Iron Maiden fan "was an amazing singer and songwriter who had so much energy and zest for life that we can't believe he's gone."
