Hayley Williams Posts Tribute Following Death of Ex-Husband Chad Gilbert

Chad Gilbert, founding guitarist of New Found Glory and vocalist for Shai Hulud, died this week due to complications from brain cancer. Today, his ex-wife, Hayley Williams, has posted a written tribute to Gilbert.

On her Instagram story, Williams shared the following message:

> Have not known what to say or if it's appropriate. But I feel sure now that I want to bc life is made of the paths we cross and the reasons we cross them are infinite. Chad is indeed a legend in the scene and my time connected to him taught me a lot. He introduced me to people that continue to shape my life in beautiful ways, and to music and culture that has made life a lot richer. There isn't much that hasn't already been said about what he contributed to the musical world a lot of us grew up in. His influence and attitude guided the genre forward. His passion for fostering the community was inspiring and sticks with me. I will forever be grateful that from him I gained a deeper understanding and a reverence for the community and the culture of hardcore. Sending love and my sympathies to his family, NFG fam, and all his friends.

Gilbert and Williams, as a member of Paramore, were both active in the Warped Tour-centric punk and emo scene at the height of the MySpace era. They began dating in 2007, got married in 2016, and divorced in 2017.

_Originally reported by [Stereogum](https://stereogum.com/2512359/hayley-williams-shares-statement-on-the-death-of-ex-husband-chad-gilbert/news/)._