Chad Gilbert, the guitarist and founding member of New Found Glory, has died at the age of 45 after treatment for metastatic cancer. His wife, Lisa Cimorelli, and his bandmates announced his death in a joint Instagram post.
Gilbert died peacefully in his sleep on September 20, 2026. He took his final breaths with Cimorelli and his mother, Jackie, by his side, according to the announcement.
New Found Glory was formed in Florida in 1997 and became an influential presence in the pop-punk scene of the 2000s. Gilbert was the principal writer for many of the band’s songs and played guitar on tracks including ‘My Friends Over You’ and ‘Head on Collision’.
“Chad's guitar playing, songwriting, humor, and relentless drive helped shape New Found Glory for nearly three decades,” the announcement statement said.
Gilbert was diagnosed with pheochromocytoma, a rare malignant tumour of the adrenal gland, on December 5, 2021. Cimorelli found him unresponsive at their home. Doctors found that the tumour had spread from his adrenal gland to his liver.
He underwent surgery to remove the tumour on December 13, 2021, and returned home on December 19, 2021, after treatment in the intensive care unit. His diagnosis was later upgraded to stage 4 adrenocortical carcinoma.
Gilbert had a short period without cancer in 2022 before the disease returned in his spine. It later spread to his lungs and brain. He received intensive radiation in 2023 and further treatment in August 2025.
In February 2026, he had emergency brain surgery. Three brain tumours were found during the operation, including one the size of a walnut.
Despite the progression of his illness, Gilbert returned to performing three months before his death following the emergency brain surgery. Earlier in 2026, on February 20, New Found Glory played an album-release party for ‘Listen Up!’, its 12th LP.
In an April interview with PEOPLE, Gilbert said he had fulfilled his dream of being married to a beautiful wife and having a daughter.
Gilbert is survived by Cimorelli, 33, their daughter Lily, 5, his mother Jackie and his brother Brian. The current New Found Glory lineup consists of vocalist Jordan Pundik, bassist Ian Grushka and drummer Cyrus Bolooki.
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