​Frightened Rabbit Singer Scott Hutchison Found Dead at 36

BY Sarah MurphyPublished May 11, 2018

Edinburgh police have found a body in their search for missing Frightened Rabbit frontman Scott Hutchison.
 
According to the BBC, the body of a man was located on the banks of the Forth River near the Queensferry Crossing around 8:30 p.m. Thursday night (May 10). NPR has now confirmed that the body was that of Hutchison. He was 36 years old.
 
"Depression is a horrendous illness that does not give you any alert or indication as to when it will take hold of you," the Hutchison family said in a statement. "Scott battled bravely with his own issues for many years and we are immensely proud of him for being so open with his struggles. His willingness to discuss these matters in the public domain undoubtedly raised awareness of mental health issues and gave others confidence and belief to discuss their own issues."

His fellow Frightened Rabbit bandmates have also issued a statement. Read it below.
 
Hutchison was last seen in the early hours of Wednesday morning (May 9), leaving the Dakota Hotel near South Queensferry. Prior to his disappearance, the singer sent out a string of troubling tweets, urging followers to "hug your loved ones," before adding: "I'm away now. Thanks."
 
His brother and bandmate Grant Hutchison has been active on social media the past few days, appealing to the public for information and offering supportive words for his brother.
 
He initially warned that Scott "may be in a fragile state and may not be making the best decisions for himself right now."
 
"We're all here for you, and we all love you very much," he later said via Radio X. "You can see the support online, as well. Then just know that everyone loves you very much, and we just want you to come back and be safe."
 
Frightened Rabbit began as Scott's solo project, eventually incorporating Grant into the lineup on their debut album Sing the Greys. The outfit continued to expand as a group, releasing The Midnight Organ Flight, The Winter of Mixed Drinks, Pedestrian Verse and 2016's Painting of a Panic Attack.
 
The frontman also released a self-titled solo record under the moniker Owl John in 2014.
 
In a tragic turn of foreshadowing, 2008's The Midnight Organ Flight featured a track titled "Floating in the Forth." It hears Hutchison sing: "And fully clothed, I float away / Down the Forth, into the sea / I think I'll save suicide for another day."
 
The band recently toured to mark that record's 10th anniversary.
 
A number of musicians and fans from Scotland and the rest of the world have shared their condolences for the Frightened Rabbit frontman. See some of those messages below.

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, a number of resources that may be helpful are available here.
 
 

I just heard the news about Scott Hutchison. One of Scotland's most extraordinary song writers. He wrote with such profound insight into loss and longing and listening to his words always made me feel this heady mix of wonder, elation and pain. That pain that also makes you feel someone understands what you're going through and you don't feel so alone. He was willing to hurt in his songs so that the listener hurt less. But when you live on the edge of that pain it can sometimes get to be too much to bear. I just wish he knew what he meant to so many. Thank you Scott for every extraordinary song you ever wrote and for the times we shared. Your music brought light to the world and always will. So much love to all your family, band mates and close friends. I am so deeply sorry for their loss. The world is less today without you Scott.x

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