Cradle of Filth guitarist Stuart Anstis dead at 48

Guitarist Stuart Anstis, best known for being a member of black-metal band Cradle of Filth, died aged 48.

The news was confirmed by the British musician’s wife, Antoinette Anstis, who shared a heartfelt message on social media about the rocker.

“Stuart Anstis 2/5/1974 – 21/8/2022,” she wrote in a Facebook post. “Rest in Peace, you were too beautiful for this world me Lover.

“Nothing will ever be the same again, Love Always and ever your Antoinette Until we meet again…”

The rocker’s former bandmate Richard Shaw, who was part of Cradle of Filth from 2014 until earlier this year, paid tribute to his pal on social media.

“Rest in peace, Stuart. It was an honor performing your music,” Shaw wrote in an Instagram post. “Thoughts are with his friends and family at this difficult time.”

Anstis was part of Cradle in Filth from 1995 until 1999.

During his stint in the band, Anstis wrote several of the band’s most famed albums, including the hit 1996 record “Dusk and Her Embrace” as well as “V Empire, or Dark Faerytales in Phallustein” released that same year.

He also wrote and recorded the 1998 album, “Cruelty and the Beast.”

After leaving Cradle of Filth in 1999, Anstis formed the band Bastardsun, which disbanded in 2005 after frontman David Wayne’s sudden death.