The Community

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Charger on June 06, 2018, 04:13:44 AM

Title: Guitarist Ralph Santolla to be taken out of life support today.
Post by: Charger on June 06, 2018, 04:13:44 AM
Just found out from Tim Ripper Owens yesterday that former Iced Earth (Deicide, Obituary) guitarist Ralph Santolla suffered a massive heart attack last week after he went to the hospital for what he thought was a spider bite on his leg which actually turned out to be a massive blood clot.

His brain was deprived of oxygen for a lengthy period of time after which he was declared brain dead and his family decided to make the hard decision to take him off life support today.

Ralph was a great guitar player and from what I've gathered a great guy too...

He is just 48 years old.
Title: Re: Guitarist Ralph Santolla to be taken out of life support today.
Post by: Charger on June 06, 2018, 05:17:54 AM
Ralph was taken out of life support a while ago and he passed away peacefully.


Rest In Peace mr. Santolla....you will be dearly missed!

Title: Re: Guitarist Ralph Santolla to be taken out of life support today.
Post by: Scott on June 06, 2018, 09:28:17 AM
From what I understand, this all happened quite suddenly. He'd been having health problems for a few weeks, but lapsed into a coma quite quickly.

I have Kyle Thomas (Exhorder, Trouble etc) as a Facebook friend, and reading his posts through this, it's clear to see what a great guy Ralph was and how much he is loved by his friends, family, and fans.

It's amazing that he has left such a wonderful legacy. Not only as a guitarist, but simply as a genuine person.

May he rest in peace.
Title: Re: Guitarist Ralph Santolla to be taken out of life support today.
Post by: Charger on June 07, 2018, 02:55:57 AM
Yeah it was quite fast indeed. It's scary how it can go sometimes... :(
Title: Re: Guitarist Ralph Santolla to be taken out of life support today.
Post by: Scott on June 07, 2018, 04:03:23 AM
It's been confirmed that he passed away on the 6th. Agreed, Charger. It is quite scary.

If anything, it reminds us that we shouldn't take life for granted.
Title: Re: Guitarist Ralph Santolla to be taken out of life support today.
Post by: Thelemech on June 08, 2018, 12:29:40 AM
R.I.P.   :'( he was in some great bands!!!