Lamb of God Frontman Randy Blythe Asks Fans for Help to Ensure His Fallen Friend Gets a Proper Funeral

The holiday season is upon us. Tomorrow (November 29), people across the country will be gathering with family to give thanks for all they have. While we’ll all be counting our blessings, it’s important to remember those who are hurting or in need. Lamb of God frontman Randy Blythe is asking fans to help the family of a fallen friend with funeral costs this holiday season.

Blythe took to social media yesterday to share the sad news of his fan and friend’s passing and ask his followers to help his family carry on. Luis Fortanelli started as a fan of Lamb of God and became friends with the vocalist after meeting through the Living the Dream foundation. They kept in touch until Fortanelli passed away last week. Now, his wife is left raising their four children, while having to handle funeral expenses and brace for the coming holidays.

“Luis nor his wife have never once asked me for a thing, just expressed gratitude for my friendship. But once again I’m reaching out, asking for help for a proper funeral. Any money left over will help Brook as she starts rebuilding her life while raising their four children,” Blythe wrote in the lengthy and heartfelt post. “Yes. I donated. I NEVER ask anyone for anything I am unwilling to do myself,” he added.

Randy Blythe Shares His Connection with His Friend and Lamb of God Fan Luis Fortanelli

Randy Blythe met Luis Fortanelli six months ago through the Living the Dream Foundation. At the time, Fortanelli was battling stage four bone cancer and was just two weeks removed from losing his leg in hopes of extending his life.

Three months later, they met up in Houston, Texas when Blythe was in town with Lamb of God. “We crammed into a car & headed out to get ramen in Houston. It was an awesome meal with lots of laughs. Later at the show, Luis rose from his wheelchair & stood on his one leg to watch us play his favorite LOG song, arm in arm with his brother,” Blythe recalled in the post. “I saw him smiling down on me from the balcony, & I felt so happy.”

Two weeks ago, Fortanelli’s wife reached out to Blythe, letting him know that Luis was in bad shape. “He couldn’t speak but she said he wanted me to know how much our friendship meant to him. I sent him a video telling him how happy I was that he had come into my life,” Blythe wrote.

Last week, Fortanelli entered hospice care. Blythe recalled going to the beach to make a farewell video for his friend. “I wanted him to know I knew what was happening, that I cared, and that I was sending him love for his final journey,” he recalled. Less than an hour after sending the video, Luis was gone.

Those who would like to donate to help Fortanelli receive a proper sendoff and help his family move on can do so here.

Featured Image by Venla Shalin/Redferns