In late 2018, Cannibal Corpse found itself in headlines not for an album or tour, but due to a disturbing incident involving longtime guitarist Pat O’Brien. The events that unfolded would ultimately lead to his departure from the band and the official addition of Erik Rutan (Hate Eternal, Morbid Angel) in his place.
The situation began on December 10, 2018, when O’Brien’s rented home in Northdale, Florida, caught fire. However, the blaze was only the beginning of a much more chaotic and surreal evening.
The Arrest and Incident
On the same night his house was burning, O’Brien reportedly broke into a neighbor’s home, refused to leave, and made unsettling comments about “the rapture” and aliens landing. According to police reports, he pushed a woman inside the home and then ran into their backyard, where he attempted to hide behind a fence.
When officers arrived and surrounded him, O’Brien allegedly charged at a deputy with a knife and was tasered before being taken into custody. Meanwhile, firefighters were struggling to put out the fire at his residence as live ammunition exploded inside the home. Authorities also stated that military-grade flamethrowers contributed to the fire’s intensity.
Though the fire destroyed the home and caused a dangerous situation, no charges were filed against O’Brien related to the blaze itself.
The Shocking Discoveries
Once the fire was extinguished, authorities made a startling discovery. Inside the house, officials found:
- Over 80 firearms, including:
- More than 50 shotguns (one of which was illegally sawed-off)
- 10 semi-automatic rifles (including AK-47 variants)
- 2 Uzi-style rifles
- Over 20 handguns
- Thousands of rounds of ammunition stored in military-style metal containers
- Two flamethrowers (one inside, one outside the home)
- Multiple locked safes and suspected explosive devices
- Three human skulls
- Various weapon parts and tactical gear
Despite the volume, only the sawed-off shotgun was illegal, though it remained unclear whether O’Brien had the necessary permits for everything else. Due to the size of the arsenal and potential explosives, ATF agents were brought in to help examine the scene.
Legal Fallout and Mental Health Concerns
According to the Tampa Bay Times, O’Brien had made a series of alarming calls to relatives prior to the incident, talking about end-times beliefs and other paranoid delusions. When he appeared in court shortly after his arrest, he was wearing an anti-suicide vest with his ankles chained, and bail was set at $50,000. A drug and alcohol evaluation was initially required before his release, though that condition was later lifted. O’Brien posted bond on December 14, 2018, and was released.
On March 16, 2021, O’Brien was officially sentenced to time served and five years of probation. His conditions included:
- $23,793.45 in restitution
- 150 hours of community service
- Mandatory drug and alcohol evaluations
- Random drug testing
- A ban on alcohol and controlled substances during his probation
Band Response and Public Support
Following the arrest, Deana Mazurkiewicz, wife of Cannibal Corpse drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz, launched a crowdfunding campaign to help O’Brien recover. She urged fans not to rush to judgment, stating, “People should not jump to conclusions until the full details of what occurred come out.”
In a 2019 interview on The Jasta Show, Cannibal Corpse frontman George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher said the band stood by their former guitarist:
“We love him. We want him back. But when I saw him in the court with the vest, dude, I cried. Because we just got home from tour… We wish the best for him, and we’re just waiting to see what happens. He’s got a road ahead of him still with legal issues, and that’s out of our hands. We support him 100 percent; we’re behind him 100 percent.”
Fisher also noted that local news in Tampa was respectful in their coverage, acknowledging O’Brien as one of the most respected guitarists in death metal:
“They just said he was one of the best guitar players in death metal in America, and in the world, and he’s highly respected. And they didn’t really trash him at all… In the metal world, I think in general, everyone was, like, ‘Get well soon.’”
A New Chapter for Cannibal Corpse
Though O’Brien never returned to Cannibal Corpse, the band continued on with Erik Rutan, who initially filled in for him on tour and eventually became a permanent member. O’Brien’s playing had shaped the band’s sound on pivotal albums like Kill, Evisceration Plague, and Red Before Black — making his departure a major moment in the group’s legacy.
Rutan’s arrival, however, injected fresh momentum and technical precision into the band’s modern chapter, helping them move forward while honoring the past.
Do you love independent bands, or are you in one? The Mosh Network is not just a rock/metal news website, but it doubles as an independent band directory, designed so that visitors can browse independent bands by not just subgenre, but location as well. It’s perfect to keep your finger on the pulse of your area’s hottest and newest bands or if you’re in a band, it’s a great way to find bands to network with! Click the banner below and start discovering bands all over the world, now!
