Pat O’Brien, former guitarist for Cannibal Corpse, faced serious legal issues in December 2018. His arrest for burglary, assault, and weapons charges shocked the metal community and led to his departure from the band. The case involved a break-in, a house fire, and a large weapons cache, and raised concerns about his mental health.
The Night of the Incident
On December 10, 2018, O’Brien entered a Northdale Golf and Country Club home without permission. The homeowner described him as disturbed, speaking about “the rapture” and claiming someone was chasing him.
He pushed a female occupant to the ground and hid in the backyard. When law enforcement arrived, he charged at a deputy with a knife before being subdued by a taser.
The House Fire and Weapons Cache
While O’Brien was being arrested, his own house caught fire and exploded due to stockpiled weapons and ammunition. Firefighters discovered an arsenal that included flamethrowers, shotguns, rifles, and handguns. Neighbors, who previously saw him as a quiet and normal person, were shocked by the discovery. Authorities also found three skulls in his possession.
Legal Resolution and Aftermath
On March 16, 2021, O’Brien was sentenced to:
- 150 hours of community service
- $23,793.45 in restitution
- 5 years of probation
- Mandatory drug and alcohol treatment.
His arrest and court appearance deeply affected his bandmates. The PRP reported that George ‘Corpsegrinder’ Fisher became emotional seeing O’Brien in court wearing an anti-suicide vest, and Drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz’s then-wife Deana started a crowdfunding campaign. O’Brien had no insurance and lost all his possessions. The campaign aimed to help him secure basic necessities including clothing and housing.
Mental Health Concerns and Band Impact
Before the incident, O’Brien made concerning phone calls to family members, claiming aliens had landed. His hallucinations and erratic behavior indicated a serious mental health crisis, and it likely contributed to the events of that night
Cannibal Corpse officially replaced O’Brien with Erik Rutan, and the band is currently on the road with numerous dates planned. O’Brien stayed out of the public eye since his release.
