It's with great sadness that we report the death of GWAR frontman Dave 'Oderus Urungus' Brockie. According to various sources, Brockie's body was found on the evening of March 23.

No cause of death has been reported as of this posting, but a member of the Richmond Police Department claims that Brockie, 50, was found dead sometime between 3pm and 7pm on March 23.

"Dave was one of the funniest, smartest, most creative and energetic persons I've known," former GWAR bassist Mike Bishop tells Style Weekly. "He was brash sometimes, always crass, irreverent, he was hilarious in every way. But he was also deeply intelligent and interested in life, history, politics and art."

Bishop continues, "His penchant for scatological humors belied a lucid wit. He was a criminally underrated lyricist and hard rock vocalist, one of the best, ever! A great front man, a great painter, writer, he was also a hell of a bass guitarist. I loved him. He was capable of great empathy and had a real sense of justice."

GWAR manager Jack Flanagan released the official statement on Brockie's death:

It is with a saddened heart, that I confirm my dear friend Dave Brockie, artist, musician, and lead singer of GWAR passed away at approximately 6:50 PM EST Sunday March 23, 2014. His body was found Sunday by his band mate at his home in Richmond, VA. Richmond authorities have confirmed his death and next of kin has been notified. A full autopsy will be performed. He was 50 years old, born August 30, 1963. My main focus right now is to look after my band mates and his family. More information regarding his death shall be released as the details are confirmed.

Lamb of God vocalist and fellow Richmond native Randy Blythe also confirmed Brockie's passing in a heartfelt Instagram post:

I got a very sad call tonight from my buddy Chris Bopst, who was one of the original members of GWAR- my friend Dave Brockie, AKA Oderus Urungus, the singer of GWAR, has left the building & taken off back to his home planet. He was 50 years old. I do not know details of why he died yet, just that he passed away at home & his roommates found him. When someone dies, a lot of the time people will say "Oh, he was a unique person, really one of a kind, a true original"- most of these people no idea of what they are talking about- they obviously had never met Dave. Dave TRULY WAS ONE OF A KIND- I can't think of ANYONE even remotely like him. That's VERY HARD TO SAY. My band learned how to become a real touring band from GWAR- they gave us out first shot at this thing. I learned many things from Dave, many of which I am eternally grateful for, and some of which I am deeply ashamed of. I took this picture at his birthday party a few months ago- Dave kissing his Oderous birthday cake. Right now, if I were to truly honor Dave in the way HE would do it if it were ME that had died, I would make a completely tasteless joke about his death. But I do not have the stomach for that- Dave would, but not me. He never put much stock in "limits". Richmond, VA has lost one of its most creative people. This is a crying shame to me. Thank you Brockie, for all the crazy shit you did- thank God you existed, so you could do it and I didn't have to. It was an honor to know you, to be your Shaky Slave, to serve in the Blood Vomits along side you (let's ride!), and to be soaked by your sweet cuttlefish. RIP Dave Brockie. Oderous, enjoy your trip back home.

We've had plenty of run-ins with Dave Brockie over the years, but the last time we saw him, Oderus starred in by far the greatest video we've ever produced. It may be hard to smile today, but in remembrance of GWAR's leader, we're proud to share Oderus Urungus' hysterical reading of 'Goodnight Moon.'

Goodbye, Dave. You were truly one of the greats. Stay tuned as news continues to break.