Static-X founder Wayne Static passed away November 1, 2014 after taking an accidental but lethal combination of alcohol and oxycodone. On January 14th of 2016 his widow Tera Wray has also been found dead — of an apparent suicide.
Wray had been battling depression ever since the passing of her husband, with whom she had been married to since January 2008. On the day leading up to her death, her friend Rik Marin had spent time with her and found no inclination that she had planned on taking her life.
“I spent all day yesterday with Tara. We had lunch hung out and talked about life without Wayne she show no indication that she was going to take her life. She did talk about fighting the depression for the past 2 years since Wayne had passed..I was shocked when I got the call at 1 am that she had passed.. Instead of hating we should all be happy that Tara had made Wayne so happy he really loved Tera. And put in a track of EVIL DISCO and remember Wayne and the woman he loved…it’s really hard for us friends of Wayne n Tera to read these comments..keep Disco EVIL in remembrance of Wayne. I loved you both an will miss are good times at the Dirthouse..” said Marin.
This is a devastating and depressing end to the Static-X legacy for me personally. I grew up listening to that band and have been a fan since their 1999 debut. Static was one of my rock heroes and I will always love the legacy he’s left behind – a library of music I consider to be the greatest industrial metal ever made. Yes – better than Ministry. I was fortunate to interview Wayne twice – and even once not long before he had passed away. He spoke in great length about how his marriage to Tera may have led to the break-up of the band but even then I couldn’t blame the guy. Wayne Static WAS and WILL always be Static-X. As great as his band is, he was the creative driving force.
I’m deeply saddened that Tera has ended her life because she was still fighting to have Wayne’s legacy remembered. With her gone it’s up to the rest of us Static-X fans to keep that good fight going and forever keep Evil Disco alive in all of us. Rest in Peace Wayne and Tera – the fans can take it from here.
You can check out my two exclusives with Wayne below:
Static-X Mastermind Wayne Static Talks New Tour, Potential Album & Career [Interview]