'Close Friend' Of Late PANTERA Guitarist Found Dead In Oakland Hills

December 28, 2010

According to the San Jose Mercury News, a 40-year-old woman who fell into alcohol abuse and depression after the 2004 onstage shooting death of "close friend" "Dimebag Darrell" Abbott (PANTERA, DAMAGEPLAN) was found dead in the Oakland, California hills on Friday. The nude body of Jill Marie Abbott was spotted at the entrance to a bike trail in the 15000 block of Skyline Boulevard, about 50 feet east of Keller Avenue, at about 8:20 a.m. by a resident who was driving by, police said. The cause of her death hasn't yet been determined, police said.

Jill Marie Abbott dated PANTERA frontman Philip Anselmo in the early 1990s, according to her ex-boyfriend Devin Walker. Though not related, Jill and Dimebag shared a last name, and the guitarist would tell people that she was his sister.

"They have their own family. She was part of that family — the band and all their wives and girlfriends and their crew," Walker said. "She was a very happy person back then. When Darrell got killed, it affected her deeply."

Jill Marie Abbott wrote on her MySpace page, "I grew up with PANTERA; they were a big part of my life. I will NEVER get over what happened to my special friend Dime! I also love SLAYER." She also wrote, "We need to be thankful for every day we wake up, and enjoy life.... We never know when it's our last day. So be kinder to your family and friends. Don't live in fear of things you are not sure of. Gotta keep on keepin' on. Listen to some of Dime's music, and believe he would want us to be HAPPY. Dry them tears of pain, and GETCHA PULL!! DIME SHINES 4EVER!"

For more information on an upcoming memorial event for Jill Marie Abbott — to be held on Saturday, January 22 — go to this location.

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