“December 3rd, 2015 is not the day Scott Weiland died,” Mary Fosberg writes.
“It is the official day the public will use to mourn him, and it was the last day he could be propped up in front of a microphone for the financial benefit or enjoyment of others.”
Fosberg is Weiland’s ex-wife and mother of his two children, Noah, 15 and Lucy, 13. The couple married in 2000, and split up seven years later.
In an open letter to fans (published on RollingStone.com), Fosberg asked that Weiland’s death not be “glorified.”
The Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver frontman died of cardiac arrest on his tour bus in Minnesota. Police also found small amounts of cocaine in his room.
In the letter, Fosberg criticized those who called Weiland’s behavior – which involved forgetting lyrics and falling on stage – “art” rather than a cry for help. She also wrote about how that affectd his ability to be any kind of father to their children.
“The truth is, like so many other kids, they [Noah and Lucy] lost their father years ago. What they truly lost on December 3rd was hope.
“We are angry and sad about this loss, but we are most devastated that he chose to give up,” Fosberg continued, urging adults to be a positive part of a child’s life.
“I don’t share this with you to cast judgment, I do so because you most likely know at least one child in the same shoes.
“If you do, please acknowledge them and their experience. Offer to accompany them to the father-daughter dance, or teach them to throw a football.
“Even the bravest girl or boy will refrain from asking for something like that; they may be ashamed, or not want to inconvenience you. Just offer – or even insist if you have to.”
Fosberg ended the letter with a plea to face addiction rather than bury it.
“Let’s choose to make this the first time we don’t glorify this tragedy with talk of rock and roll and the demons that, by the way, don’t have to come with it.”
