VISTA, Calif., Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Tim Lambesis, frontman for the metalcore band As I Lay Dying, pleaded guilty in California Tuesday to trying to hire a hit man to kill his estranged wife.
Lambesis faces up to nine years in prison for his conviction in Vista on a felony murder solicitation charge, Billboard reported. Sentencing will be May 2.
Authorities said Lambesis, who was arrested last May gave $1,000 to a man he thought would take care of killing his wife, Megann, but was actually an undercover sheriff's deputy. The money was a down payment on a $20,000 contract, authorities said.
Lambesis, 32, of Carlsbad, started As I Laying Dying in 2000. The band, whose music has Christian themes, has released six studio albums and was nominated for a Grammy in 2008 for the song "Nothing Left."
The couple had been married eight years and had adopted three children, the Los Angeles Times reported. In her divorce filing, Megann said he had become preoccupied with bodybuilding, tattoos and touring. She also alleged he had several extramarital affairs, the newspaper said.
