Former Fleetwood Mac Guitarist Bob Welch Dead Of Apparent Suicide

Bob Welch (Larry Hulst /Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images)

Reuters reports former Fleetwood Mac guitarist and vocalist Bob Welch died earlier today at age 66 of an apparent suicide.

Police said in a statement that  Welch’s wife found his body, along with a suicide note. Welch apparently suffered from health problems.

Welch is the second Fleetwood member to die this year- Bob Weston died from a gastrointestinal hemorrhage in January.

Stevie Nicks, who replaced Welch on vocals in 1974, released a statement, saying in part “I had many great times with him after Lindsey [Buckingham] and I joined Fleetwood Mac,” singer Nicks said. “He was an amazing guitar player — he was funny, sweet — and he was smart.

“I am so very sorry for his family and for the family of Fleetwood Mac — so,so sad,” Nicks said.

Read the full story from Reuters here.

If you or someone you know needs help, call the Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.