Tim Lambesis, Christian heavy metal singer arrested for putting a hit on his wife

Christian heavy metal band As I Lay Dying frontman Tim Lambesis, 32, was arrested Tuesday evening in Oceanside, California for arranging a hit on his estranged wife Meggan. The couple, who have three adopted children from Ethiopia, split in 2012 and were going through a divorce.

San Diego County Sheriff’s Department spokeperson Jan Caldwell said information came to them late last week that Lambesis was looking for someone to murder his wifeMeggan Lambesis, who he is currently divorcing. The couple have three adopted children from Ethiopia. “We acted quickly on it. I believe that we averted a great tragedy,” Caldwell said Tuesday. The L.A. Times reports that authorities set up a sting when they learned of Tim Lambesis’s plans. During a meeting set up by police, the singer attempted to hire an undercover detective to murder his wife.

In an interview last year Lambesis said he wanted the group to be known for their music instead of their beliefs, but has often talked about how the five band members of As I Lay Dying are Christians, and incorporate Christian themes of forgiveness and struggle into their lyrics.

The band had just returned home from touring in Asia, and had plans to tour in the US this summer.

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