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May 11, 2018 By Mark Redfern Owl John

Scott Hutchison, 36-year-old frontman for Scotland’s Frightened Rabbit, has been found dead. He was reported missing by the band on Wednesday after posting some troubling tweets and disappearing from the Dakota Hotel in South Queensferry at 1 a.m. Wednesday morning, leaving his phone in the hotel. As the BBC reports, his body was found on the banks of the Firth of Forth estuary, in Port Edgar, between the Forth Road Bridge and Queensferry Crossing, at around 8:30 p.m. local time last night. His body was positively identified this morning.

Hutchison’s song “Floating in the Forth,” from 2008’s The Midnight Organ Fight, tackled suicide and was about his body floating out to sea via the River Forth. “I think I’ll save suicide for another year,” Hutchison sang towards the end of the song.

The band has issued a statement via Twitter: “There are no words to describe the overwhelming sadness and pain that comes with the death of our beloved Scott but to know he is no longer suffering brings us some comfort. Reading messages of support and hope from those he has helped through his art has helped immensely and we encourage you to continue doing this. He will be missed by all of us and his absence will always be felt but he leaves a legacy of hope, kindness and colour that will forever be remembered and shared. Rest peacefully Scott.”

pic.twitter.com/qSnss2QHR2

— Frightened Rabbit (@FRabbits) May 11, 2018

Various other musicians have paid tribute to Hutchison, including Belle and Sebatian’s Stuart Murdoch, Stuart Braithwaite of Mogwai and Minor Victories, The National’s Bryce Dessner, Franz Ferdinand’s Alex Kapranos, labelmates alt-J, Tracyanne Campbell of Camera Obscura and Tracyanne and Danny, Snow Patrol, and Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Here are their tweets:

Such sad news to wake up to. My heart truly goes out to Scott’s family and his band and to all the folk who loved him. I feel privileged to have sung with him.

— Tracyannecampbell (@Juniortcampbell) May 11, 2018

Tragic news about Scott Hutchison. The whole music community in Scotland was praying for a different outcome. Folks, if you are up against it, having dark thoughts, please tell someone, family, a friend or a doctor. There is always another way, though it might not seem like it.

— stuart murdoch (@nee_massey) May 11, 2018

I’m lost for words on hearing the awful news about Scott Hutchison. My deepest condolences are with his family and friends. I didn’t know Scott very well but I always enjoyed his company whenever I was in it. He was a lovely, warm talented guy and was loved by so many people.

— stuart braithwaite (@plasmatron) May 11, 2018

Devastated by the loss of Scott Hutchison who gave so much with his beautiful music. Sending love to our friends in @FRabbits

— Bryce Dessner (@bryce_dessner) May 11, 2018

Awful news about Scott Hutchison. A terrible loss.

— alex kapranos (@alkapranos) May 11, 2018

We are deeply saddened by the news of our labelmate Scott Hutchison, and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time. In the UK, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255. You are never alone.

— Δ (alt-J) (@alt_J) May 11, 2018

We are devastated to hear the news about our friend Scott Hutchison this morning. Sending all our love to his family, friends and band mates in frightened rabbit. Xxx

— Snow Patrol (@snowpatrol) May 11, 2018

Heartbreaking news. My thoughts are with Scott’s family, friends and fans. A remarkable and much loved talent. @FRabbits https://t.co/nhUIPmOPCl

— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) May 11, 2018

An important message today and every day. There are always people to talk to and people who love you - no matter how dark the world can seem sometimes. Never forget that. Here, for example https://t.co/4f7UJmgVnv - or in the tweet below from @YoungScot https://t.co/clOxAz992u

— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) May 11, 2018

When Hutchison first disappeared on Wednesday the band wrote on Twitter: “We are worried about Scott, who has been missing for a little while now. He may be in a fragile state and may not be making the best decisions for himself right now.” Around 11 p.m. Tuesday night Hutchison posted two troubling tweets that heightened concern for his wellbeing, first writing: “Be so good to everyone you love. It’s not a given. I’m so annoyed that it’s not. I didn’t live by that standard and it kills me. Please, hug your loved ones.” That tweet was followed 19 minutes later by one that read: “I’m away now. Thanks.”

Frightened Rabbit released five studio albums: 2006’s Sing the Greys, 2008’s The Midnight Organ Fight, 2010’s The Winter of Mixed Drinks, 2013’s Pedestrian Verse, and 2016’s Painting of a Panic Attack. In 2014 he released a solo album under the name Owl John. Hutchison recently teamed up with his brother Grant Hutchison (also Frightened Rabbit’s drummer) and brother Justin and James Lockey of Editors and Minor Victories to form supergroup Mastersystem, whose debut album, Dance Music, was released last month.

Just last month we interviewed Hutchison about the Mastersystem album. You can also revisit our 2016 interview with Hutchison on Painting of a Panic Attack and our 2014 interview with Hutchison about the Scottish Independence Referendum.

Below are various videos and songs from Frightened Rabbit, Owl John, and Mastersystem.

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