The Murder of Dimebag Darrell

Tragedy seemed to follow band members of the metal band Pantera once success found its way to them. Lead singer Phil Anselmo battled a heroin addiction, even overdosing in 1996. The addiction eventually caused tension and feuds amongst the band members, as well as the demise of the band after the Abbott brothers, Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell, original founding members, disbanded the group in 2003.

Damageplan is Born

Life went on for band members, albeit distraught over the deformation of the original band. Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie formed another band called Damageplan and began touring in support of their debut album.

The album didn’t sell as many copies as the band hoped, so they planned to record a follow-up album.

Damageplan toured nightclubs across the U.S. to support the release and help rebuild their fanbase, tragedy again found its way into life during a Dec. 8, 2004 gig at a Columbus, Ohio, nightclub.

Dimebag Darrell Shot on Stage

The band took the stage in front of a packed house, opening with the song, “Breathing New Life,” when seconds later, a 6’5” former Marine named Nathan Gale barged onto the stage from behind a 7-ft. tall wall of amps in the crowd.

Armed with a Beretta 9mm handgun, Gale stopped behind Dimebag Darrel and fired the weapon into the back of his head three times.

Crew members charged at Gale as he redirected his weapon and continued firing. Two other people suffered injuries as a result of the gunfire. Four other people died after they were hit. Numerous 9-1-1 calls came in to report the incident.

Gale Shot & Killed

Officer James Niggemayar arrived first on the scene three minutes after the initial call of shots fired came in. The officer was alone, without any backup. With a clear aim on the suspect, Officer Niggemayer fired one shot from a department-issued 12-gauge Remington 870 shotgun, instantly killing him.

Paramedics arrived and pronounced Abbott dead at the scene. Gale was also pronounced dead at the scene.

Police found an additional 35 rounds of ammunition left in Gale’s weaponry.

Why Did Gale Murder Dimebag Darrell?

Gale purportedly held Dimebag responsible for the demise of Pantera, his favorite heavy metal band, who split the year prior. In reality, the Abbotts left the band due to lead vocalist, Phil Anselmo, never contributing to the band due to personal and side projects.

Due to the legalities associated with continuing the band without Anselmo, the Abbott brothers formed Damageplan.

Anselmo told reporters with the magazine Metal Hammer that Dimebag “Deserves to be beaten severely.” The brothers decided to form their own band at this point.

A thorough police investigation revealed that Gale suffered from schizophrenia and thought members of Pantera were stealing his thoughts.

Did Vinnie Paul & Phil Anselmo Reconcile Their Relationship?

The murder of Dimebag only further harbored the already damaged relationship between Anselmo and the Abbott brothers.

Vinnie Paul and Phil never reconciled their relationship after Dimebag’s death. He wasn’t invited to his funeral, nor did Vinne express interest in speaking to Phil again. Vinnie passed away from dilated cardiomyopathy and coronary artery disease at age 54 in 2018.

Who Was Pantera?

Darrell Lance “Dimebag Darrell” and Vinnie Paul Abbott formed the glam metal band Pantera in 1981. The band released three albums until changing their sound after bringing Phil Anselmo on board as lead vocalist in 1987. With Anselmo part of the band, Pantera found success with their second-release, Cowboys From Hell, spawning hits like “Walk,” “This Love,” and “Cemetery Gates”.

The band is regarded as one of the most successful and influential bands in heavy metal history. They’ve sold more than 20 million records worldwide.