Alice In Chains frontman Layne Staley and model Demri Parrott’s relationship started as a fairytale, but this didn’t last long. Staley and Parrott met in 1988 while she was working at a store called Saturdays. It was love at first sight. They began dating a short time after they saw each other. Everyone saw them as soulmates and admired their relationship.
Staley and Parrott got engaged in 1992. Their friends and family were expecting a wedding announcement, but they decided to break up after a few years. The pair couldn’t have a chance to get back together as both of them died tragically in a short time after their break-up. Some of Staley’s fans and friends blamed Demri for causing all these tragedies.
Did She Introduce Layne Staley To Drugs?
Both Parrott and Staley were battling their drug addiction for a very long time until their deaths.
Parrott passed away because of a drug overdose on October 29, 1996. This led to rumors that she was the one who introduced Staley to drugs during their relationship. Parrott’s friend Amber Ferrano denied these rumors and said her friend never used drugs before she met the Alice In Chains singer:
“It started after she died. I know who started it and they know too, but it’s funny I read stuff from people who make a statement as if they were there, knew her and it was fact and people believe them. If it’s coming from someone, not in her obit, or living in Seattle it’s probably not true and can certainly be verified through one of them. She did not use heroin until with him. Demri did not get Layne started in drugs his history was before her and tons of people know that.”
Ferrano says everyone around them knew these, but they still accuse Parrott of causing Staley’s addiction and depression.
Staley’s Depression Went Worse After Parrott’s Death
Screaming Trees frontman Mark Lanegan thinks Demri’s death was the main reason behind Staley’s death:
“He never recovered from Demri’s death. After that, I don’t think he wanted to go on.”
Parrott’s friend agrees with Lanegan — she thinks Staley died because he felt guilty:
“He died because he wished he had done right by the one person he knew for sure loved him for the poor butt rocker he was when he met her and he’d be the first to admit it.”
Other reports suggest that Staley was placed on a 24-hour suicide watch after learning about Parrott’s death.
Parrott’s death wasn’t the only thing Staley was struggling with, though. He was battling addiction and wanted to get clean many times. The rocker entered rehab or found other ways to live a healthier life, but he eventually died due to a speedball overdose on April 5, 2002.
