New Found Glory Guitarist Chad Gilbert Dies at 45

Chad Gilbert, the founding guitarist and backing vocalist of the pop-punk band New Found Glory, died on September 20, 2026, at the age of 45. His death was confirmed in a joint statement from the band and his wife, Lisa Cimorelli. The statement, shared on social media, said Gilbert passed away peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by friends and family. "He left this world surrounded by friends and family and took his final breaths with his wife and mother by his side, just as he wished," the statement read. "We are devastated and shocked by how quickly he left us, yet so grateful for how peacefully and smoothly he went." Gilbert had been battling cancer for several years. In early 2026, he revealed that doctors had discovered three brain tumors, a diagnosis that followed treatment for adrenocortical carcinoma, a rare adrenal cancer. His wife recalled that during the album release party for New Found Glory's 2026 album "Listen Up!", the left side of his body began failing, leading to an emergency room visit where the new tumors were found.