Seth Howard, drummer of rising Florida post-hardcore act Yashira, has died — the result of a car accident. He was 24.
According to Florida Highway Patrol, News 4 JAX reports that Howard was traveling on State Road 231 at 11:20 p.m. on December 29th when the car he was driving allegedly crossed the median striking an oncoming vehicle. The driver of that car Antonio Flaherty and his passenger, Neymar Flaherty, were taken to UF Health Gainesville with serious injuries.
The remaining members of Yashira have confirmed the death of their band mate in a collaborative Facebook statement, saying “When I had the idea of this band in my head, Seth was the first person I asked to do it with me. We had been friends for many years prior, so he agreed to jam even though he was a full-time student at the University of Florida (we get it dude, you’re smart). He had been in bands with Connor, I had been in bands with Luke so it all just made sense. It fell right into place, really. We went in that non-air-conditioned storage unit for the first time, wrote a song, and the rest is history … As for our future, we really don’t know what’s in store. We’re trying to just process and heal as much as we can. Maybe we’ll pick this up with some sort of plan, maybe we won’t. We haven’t gotten a chance to give it any thought. Right now, all we know is that we and his family miss him so much it hurts.”
Read the full statement below.
Fellow Florida band and tourmates Rhythm of Fear posted the following statement of condolence:
“Like so many we are completely beside ourselves at the tragic and untimely passing of our close friend and our brother Seth Howard. If you’ve ever seen Yashira you know of his inexplicable talents and if you’ve ever met him you know of his magnetic and endearing personality. All our hearts are with our Yashira family as well as Seth’s family members and friends in this horrible time of mourning and forever beyond. We love you wholeheartedly Seth.”
“I’m truly grateful that I got the chance to spend time with Seth and make some memories over the last couple of years,” wrote Gouge Away bassist Tyler Forsythe on Instagram. “Wishing we could do it again.”
Yashira released their critically acclaimed debut record Shrine in 2018 via Good Fight Music.