Ex-Weezer Bassist Mikey Welsh Dies In Chicago

First Published: October 9, 2011 10:47 AM EDT Credit: FilmMagic Caption Pat Wilson, Brian Bell, Mikey Welsh and Rivers Cuomo of Weezer in June, 2001CHICAGO, Ill. -- Former Weezer bass player Mikey Welsh, who also found success in his second career as an artist, died in a Chicago hotel room, police said Sunday. Chicago spokeswoman Laura Kubiak said Welsh was supposed to check out of the Raffaello Hotel at 1 p.m. Saturday. When he didnt, hotel staff went to his room, entered it and found him unconscious and not breathing, Kubiak said. The Cook County Medical Examiners Office said autopsy results will be available Sunday afternoon. Kubiak said theres nothing to indicate foul play. Welsh, 40, of Burlington, Vt., performed with Weezer from 1998 to 2001, leaving after suffering a nervous breakdown, according to the bands website. He eventually established himself in a second career as a painter. Im taking a break from music, he told MetroWest Daily News in 2002. I really feel the need to reinvent myself and move on, and I couldnt be happier painting. Music is still an important part of my life, but I really have no desire to actually play it. Weezer posted a message on its website, saying Welshs time with the band was vital, essential, wild, and amazing. A unique talent, a deeply loving friend and father, and a great artist is gone, but we will never forget him, the band said. Welsh planned to attend Weezers Sunday performance at Riot Fest in Chicago. im excited to see the boys, hang out and have some fun, he wrote on his Facebook page earlier this month. (Copyright 2011 by Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed) Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.