DOOM! Magazine

Posted by MiseryXchord on Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

Madina Lake @ The Axis in Boston, MA on March 25 ©2007 Future Breed/Dan Gonyea CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

According to a post on his twin brother and band mate Nathan Leone’s blog, Madina Lake bassist Matthew Leone has been hospitalized after being brutally beaten trying to aid a woman who was being attacked.

Suffering a massive shock …

i’m afraid I have some of the worst news that has ever hit our lives. It’s almost impossible to even type this update. A few nights ago, Matthew walked from my apt. a block and a half down the street to meet a friend for a drink. half way there he saw a man severely beating his wife. Being the most amazing, strong, heroic and incredible person I know.. even though the guy was twice his size, Matthew intervened. He managed to subdue this guy for a second and since his wife was beat up pretty good called the cops.. as he did so the guy jumped him from behind and beat him. This guy did things I can’t even type. After words, he and his beaten wife left Matthew unconcious on the street. Matthew is in the hospital with a third of his skull removed as we wait for the swelling in his brain to go down. I’d rather not share any additional information at this time besides the fact that he acted as a hero (as he always would in any of these situations) and is paying a horrific price. Please send all your love and good energy and vibrations to him. I’ve been and will be next to him throughout the entire recovery process. We don’t know enough yet details about how that will develop.. but it has shocked, stunned, disgusted our best friends, family and band (which are both). The world can be evil beyond belief and as much as we want this evil eliminated, right now our hearts heads and energies need to go to my best friend, soul mate, hero, and angel, Matthew. Love you all and will be in touch as soon as I can muster up the emotional energy to reach out again. Please, be safe and peaceful as we get through this impossible time.

Nathan

Our hearts go out to Matthew, his family and friends. We will keep you posted with further news as it becomes available.

“I’ve been there for about 72 hours, next to him, constantly, and I basically just took an hour to go home and take a shower. I’m going back [to the hospital] now,” Nathan said. “[Matthew] had all kinds of injuries, and his brain was swelling, so doctors had to remove part of his skull and put it on ice while we wait for the swelling to stop and the hematoma to stop leaking.

“It was touch and go for a while there, but at this point, things are starting to turn around, which is wonderful,” the singer said. “The first couple of days, he couldn’t recognize me or say anything coherent, but this morning he did. And he now he’s aware and talking and moving around a little, which is wonderful. So the prognosis is getting better by the hour.”

Matthew’s injuries are listed as a broken jaw, nose and a fractured skull, forcing doctors to remove a third of his skill to alleviate pressure on his brain.

Nathan credits the outpouring of support from the band’s friends and fans with helping save his brother’s life, reading him their comments and emails as he drifted in and out of consciousness. “The outpouring of support has been amazing,” Leone said. “Every band we’ve ever toured with, every Facebook and MySpace outlet has been going crazy with love and support.”

He added that Chicago police have already made an arrest in connection with his brother’s assault.

You can read the full article at MTV.com Injured Madina Lake Bassist’s Prognosis Is Good, Brother Says

UPDATE JULY 2 8:20pm: ChicagoBreakingNews.com reports: Man charged in attack on ‘Good Samaritan’ musician – A West Town man is charged with aggravated battery causing great bodily harm in the beating of Matthew Leone, and domestic battery on his wife in the assault Matthew attempted to intervene in.

“The man was angry because his wife had returned home late that evening and began hitting her while the two were on the street, police said.

Police had been waiting for Leone to give them details of the attack so they could compare his account to what witnesses told them, officials said. Police also had been waiting for doctors to brief them on Leone’s condition before seeking felony charges.”

UPDATE JULY 3: Like many musicians, Matthew has no health insurance coverage. A fundraising effort has been set up at Matthew Leone Sweet Relief Fundraiser. Sweet Relief Musicians Fund provides financial assistance to all types of career musicians who are struggling to make ends meet while facing illness, disability, or age-related problems.

Sweet Relief Musicians Fund is working with Madina Lake’s management and Pledge Music to help raise funds for Madina Lake bassist Matthew Leone. Matthew was rushed to the hospital last week after incurring several broken bones and head trauma when he heroically intervened in a domestic dispute between a husband and wife near his home. He is currently on the road to recovery but will need our help in order to pay the substantial bills.

“On behalf of Matthew, myself, our family and our extended ML family, we are absolutely floored by the compassion, love and support shown from people around the world. We’ve never experienced anything like it and to be honest, we’re not even sure what we could say that would accurately express our gratitude and appreciation. I’ll be posting a comprehensive update on Matthew’s condition, prognosis and plans for the immediate future shortly. For now, many have so graciously inquired as to where any donations can be made to assist with medical expenses, etc. (unfortunately, Matthew’s health insurance expired a few months ago while we were on tour in Europe). Our management has helped organize a few options, should anyone feel they want to donate. We simply can’t thank you enough for your generosity, compassion, love and amazing energy that has all been an integral part of Matthew’s recovery. More soon, all the love in the world
…Nathan”

You can find out more information from the Madina Lake blog here: (http://madinaswan.tumblr.com/post/755466226/suffering-a-massive-shock)

You can donate directly here by clicking the Pledge Button above or from the Sweet Relief Chipin Widget here (http://matthewleone.chipin.com/matthew-leone) or from the Sweet Relief Website (http://www.sweetrelief.org/news/sweet-relief-helping-raise-money-matthew-leone-madina-lake)

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 30th, 2010 at 9:10 PM. It is filed under Photo Galleries and tagged with Madina Lake, Matthew Leone. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.