It has recently come to light that Sean Blosl, former guitarist for Seattle thrash stalwarts Sanctuary, died in a car accident this past summer at the age of 58. The very brief obituary in The Chronicle says his exact date of death was August 26, 2024. With no official announcement coming from the band at the time, Blosl’s death unfortunately flew under the radar for several months. Blosl was also the cousin of the band’s current guitarist Lenny Rutledge.
Rutledge made an official post on Sanctuary’s Instagram yesterday announcing his cousin’s passing and explaining the announcement’s delay:
“It is with a very heavy heart that I have to announce that Sean Blosl passed away earlier this year. He was involved in a vehicle related accident in Seattle. I have struggled with posting about this news. I am not a fan of the social media death announcements, but I realize that even though I think this is a private family matter, Sean was also a very important part of the Seattle music scene.
“Sean was my cousin, but to us we were much more like my brothers. We had a musical dream when we were kids that became a reality. Without Sean by my side I don’t know if I would have had the opportunity to make this musical journey. It is very difficult to sum up a lifetime of love, memories and experiences but I will always remember Sean as an inspiration and a teacher.
RIP Brother. I will see you on the other side.”
Blosl was a founding member of Sanctuary, having started the band with Rutledge in 1985. Blosl stayed in the band until 1990, which covered most of the band’s original run, as Sanctuary broke up in 1992. Jeff Loomis, better known for his time in Nevermore, took over from Blosl from 1990-1992 and, when the band reunited in 2010, it was Loomis who returned on guitar instead of Blosl. Blosl appeared on both of the band’s first two albums, Refuge Denied and Into the Mirror Black.
We at MetalSucks would like to extend our deepest condolences to all of Blosl’s friends, family, former bandmates, and fans at this time.