The Latest: Stone Temple Pilots bandmates say singer Scott Weiland was ‘gifted beyond words’

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – The latest in the death of Scott Weiland, the magnetic former frontman of the Stone Temple Pilots (all times local):

4:30 p.m.

Scott Weiland’s former Stone Temple Pilot bandmates have released a statement thanking the singer “for sharing your life with us.”

Eric Kretz and brothers Dean and Robert DeLeo rose to fame with Weiland, as Stone Temple Pilots became one of the most commercially successful bands to come out of the early 1990s grunge rock movement.

They released a statement Friday saying, “together we crafted a legacy of music that has given so many people happiness and great memories. The memories are many, and they run deep for us.”

They acknowledged that Weiland — who had a history of substance abuse problems — struggled, but said he was “gifted beyond words.”

“Part of that gift was part of your curse,” they said. “All of our love and respect. We will miss you brother.”

The band’s 1992 debut album, “Core,” was an instant success, and the hit single “Plush” won the Grammy for best hard rock performance.

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3:30 p.m.

Police in Minnesota say they found cocaine in the bedroom of the tour bus where former Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland was found dead.

Police said they found “a small quantity” of cocaine during a search of the bus Friday following Weiland’s death.

Investigators say they also found a small amount of cocaine elsewhere in the bus and arrested a California man who was travelling with Weiland. The man hasn’t been charged.

Police released no additional information on Weiland’s cause of death, saying it would be released by the local coroner.

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12:30 a.m.

Scott Weiland, the former frontman for the Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver, has died. He was 48.

The singer’s manager, Tom Vitorino, confirmed the death to The Associated Press early Friday morning. Vitorino said he learned of Weiland’s death from his tour manager but did not provide further details.

Weiland’s current band, Scott Weiland & the Wildabouts, was scheduled to play at a Medina, Minnesota, concert venue, according to the venue’s website. The website showed the event was cancelled.

Local authorities couldn’t immediately be reached for comment by the AP.

Weiland was dogged by substance abuse problems throughout his career.

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The Associated Press

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