News Roundup: Drummer Jerry Fuchs R.I.P

This weekend news broke that !!! drummer Jerry Fuchs fell to his death while attending a loft party in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. According to multiple reports this is being considered a freak accident in which Fuchs plunged five stories to his death. In the original article we reported that he and a friend were trapped between two floors while on an elevator.

After opening the door  they”attempted to jump from the elevator and on to the floor. Fuchs’ friend made the jump but Fuchs did not due to a piece of clothing which got caught, “sending him swinging back into the crevice separating the elevator from the fifth floor.”

Here are a few more updates to the story that’s still developing…

When was he found?

• His pal, Alex Frankel stated, “We found him in the elevator shaft. He was no longer able to speak.”[Contact Music]

• He was pronounced dead at 3:30am after being taken to Bellevue Hospital. [NME]

The band sends out their condolences.

• Maserati posted a tribute to Fuchs on its Website:  “It is with overwhelming sadness that we bid farewell to our drummer and dearest friend Gerhardt (Jerry) Fuchs … We are humbled to have been able to create music with you for all these years, Jerry. You will be missed more than words can express. We love you, bro.” [New York Post]

Another freak accident?

• The band’s original drummer Anthony Mikel Gius also died tragically after he was hit by a car while riding his bike in 2005, Fuchs was his replacement. [The Daily Telegraph]

The building in question.

• The Department of Buildings is investigating… but a quick look at the property overview shows plenty of violations, including 10 elevator violations, the most recent from October 30th. We’ve contacted the DoB to clarify what these past violations mean, and why they were “dismissed.” [The Gothamist]

Where was the elevator operator?

• Jayson Green, 31, a deejay at the party, said an elevator operator had been ferrying visitors up to the party throughout the night. When Fuchs arrived, there was no operator in sight, so he boarded the elevator and set off. [NYDailyNews]

Were you a fan of Jerry Fuchs music?