R.I.P., Former Alice in Chains bassist Mike Starr

[Amerigo Vespucci]

'Celeb Rehab' Rocker Mike Starr Dead

3/8/2011 2:58 PM PST by TMZ Staff

Former Alice in Chains bassist Mike Starr died in Utah ... TMZ has learned.



http://www.tmz.com/2011/03/08/mike-starr-alice-in-chains-bassist-celebrity-rehab-dead-salt-lake-city-utah-felony-possession-painkiller/

Starr appeared on the third season of "Celebrity Rehab" back in 2009 -- and was arrested last month for felony possession of a controlled substance. Salt Lake City cops say he had 6 Xanax pills and 6 Opana (painkiller) pills when he was busted.

Starr was 44 years old.

Mike's dad tells TMZ, "It's a terrible shock and tragedy."

[nolabear]

1. So sad. I was so rooting for him.

I'll cop to watching Celebrity Rehab sometimes. That poor guy needed intensive inpatient treatment imho, not just for addiction but for the intense guilt he appeared to be suffering over the death of his bandmate Layne. But he had to want it, and I think the monster just got him.

So, so sad. RIP.

[johnnie]

2. Same here

I was pulling for the guy too. I too saw him on celebrity rehab and it was obvious he needed more help. Just so sad. I didn't know he was just busted again last month.

[IcyPeas]

3. very sad...

I watched that Celebrity Rehab also. He seemed SO SO hostile - definitely could've used more help with his other issues.

I remember him crying when Layne Staley's mother came to visit at the "graduation" day. She forgave him and told him not to feel guilty (if I am remembering right). It is so sad.

[Lisa0825]

4. I am so sad about him.... sad for his family and others who loved him.

He struggled for so long with his addiction. It's actually probably more amazing that he lived as long as he did, but that doesn't make it less sad.

He had a lot of guilt and self-hatred, and I bet he tried to drown that all out with the drugs.

He seemed to have a good heart, down deep. He just had so much pain.

So very sad for his family. :cry:

[cbdo2007]

5. RIP. Wasn't part of his story that him and his dad did drugs together all the time???

Even in rehab they had his dad there telling him to just come home and he would take care of him so they could do drugs together?? I hope I'm wrong here, but that is just fuckin sick!!!!

It's really too sad for these guys. And all the guys in AIC were druggies, but they kicked him out?!?! He must have really been bad off.

RIP Mike! I love those bass lines on Dirt. That's a great fucking album.

[cbdo2007]

7. Fuck!!!! Just rewatched the first episode of celebrity rehab....

from his season and yep, his dad and him share drugs together. Both drug addicts.

So sad when even the people who are supposed to be there for you, to help you, are the ones helping you down the dark road. Now Mike is dead and his dad is so sad about it. Shit!!!

Vh1 has all of the episodes online if anyone is interested:

http://www.vh1.com/shows/celebrity_rehab_with_dr_drew/season_3/video.jhtml?sort=fulleps

[Swede]

6. RIP Mike.

Addiction is a terrible thing.

[ismnotwasm]

8. So sad

I remember seeing them around way back in the day at a hotel bar I worked briefly at. It was close to a place in Seattle they played regularly. They had that shadow on them even then, and they were just babies.

[Jmaxfie1]

9. :( n/t

[OhioChick]

10. Damn.....Another one

:(

[hamsterjill]

11. Very sad.

I watched some bits of Celebrity Rehab and you could just tell that this guy was in bad shape. Poor thing. Sympathies to his family and friends.

And much hope that others who are addicted get the help they need before something like this happens!