Jill Janus, the frontwoman of metal band Huntress, has died aged 43. Her bandmates confirmed that the musician took her own life on 14 August after a long-time battle with mental illness. The heartbreaking news was confirmed on Huntress’s official Facebook page. The band wrote: ‘It is with crushed hearts that we announce that Jill Janus—frontwoman for the California heavy metal band Huntress—passed away on Tuesday, August 14. A long-time sufferer of mental illness, she took her own life outside of Portland, Oregon. Janus spoke publicly about these challenges in hopes of guiding others to address and overcome their mental illness. ‘Janus was a truly special creative involved with numerous musical projects including her role as vocalist for female metal/hard rock cover bands TheStarbreakers and Chelsea Girls.
In addition, Janus was co-composer and creator of an upcoming rock opera with Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s Angus Clark and had a decade-long career as NYC DJ Penelope Tuesdae. Her musical career began in childhood. ‘Beyond her accomplishments in the music world and her advocacy for mental health issues, she was a beautiful person passionate about her family, animal rescue and the world of natural medicine. She will be missed more than she could have ever known.’ The band went on to share the number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in the US, writing: ‘If you or someone you know might be at risk of suicide, Call 1-800-273-8255 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. It provides free and confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week for people in suicidal crisis or distress.’
Janus sang for Huntress since their formation in 2009, with their debut EP Off With Her Head released the following year. The current line-up consists of Blake Meahl, Tyler Meahl, Eli Santana and Eric Harris. Jill had been open about her struggles with mental illness, and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when she was 20. Speaking to Revolver in 2015, she said: ‘I started to show signs of it when I was 13, though, and I struggled with it through high school. It started to get dangerous in my early teens. By the time I was 20 and living in Manhattan, it was very, very difficult for me.
‘That’s when I was admitted into a mental health facility and was diagnosed bipolar with schizoaffective disorder, which progressed into schizophrenia and dissociative disorder.’ Jill often struggled with suicidal thoughts and mania. The rocker was diagnosed with uterine cancer in 2015, and, according to Loudwire, underwent a hysterectomy the same year. A host of Jill’s fans and friends have paid tribute on social media, including Lizzy Hale of Halestrom, who wrote: ‘To Jill, My sister of scream, I hope wherever you are you have found the peace that you couldn’t here. My deepest sympathy’s go out to Jill’s Family and her band Huntress during this time [sic].’
Metro.
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