Chad Gilbert, a founding guitarist and backing vocalist for pop-punk group New Found Glory, has died at age 45. The band and Gilbert’s wife, Lisa Cimorelli, announced his death through a joint statement, indicating he passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 20th, surrounded by family and close friends.
While no specific cause of death was disclosed, Gilbert had been managing a serious health struggle in recent years. In early 2026, he revealed to People magazine that he had been diagnosed with three brain tumors and was previously treated for adrenocortical carcinoma, a rare adrenal cancer. Despite his health challenges, Gilbert remained active with his band, appearing on their most recent album released this year.
As a founding member of New Found Glory, Gilbert was instrumental in the group’s longevity and success. He performed on all of the band’s studio recordings beginning with their 1999 debut “Nothing Gold Can Stay” through their 11th album, “Listen Up!” released in 2026. Beyond New Found Glory, he also performed with other musical projects including Shai Hulud and the side project International Superheroes of Hardcore.
The guitarist was raised in Coral Springs, Florida, and helped establish New Found Glory in 1997 alongside Jordan Pundik, Steve Klein, Ian Grushka, and Joe Marino, who was soon replaced by Cyrus Bolooki. The band became a significant force in the pop-rock landscape during the late 1990s and early 2000s, achieving mainstream recognition following the 2002 release of “Sticks and Stones,” which featured the single “My Friends Over You.” Gilbert is survived by his wife Lisa, daughter Lily, mother Jackie, and brother Brian.
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