Heavy metal band Megadeth has formally cut ties with founding member David Ellefson following accusations that the bassist groomed a minor.
“We are informing our fans that David Ellefson is no longer playing with Megadeth and that we are officially parting ways with him. We do not take this decision lightly,” the band tweeted from its official account on Monday.
“While we do not know every detail of what occurred, with an already strained relationship, what has already been revealed now is enough to make working together impossible moving forward.”
The post, which is signed by the thrash metal group’s lead guitarist, Dave Mustaine, 59, who co-founded the group with Ellefson in 1983, concludes that the remaining members “look forward to seeing our fans on the road this summer, and we cannot wait to share our brand new music with the world. It is almost complete.”
Allegations popped up earlier this month that Ellefson, 56, had groomed an underage girl after screenshots and videos of the pair’s explicit interactions were posted online.
Reps for Ellefson did not respond to The Post’s request for comment.
Ellefson — who left the group in 2002 and returned in 2010 — denied the claims that the woman was underage or that their interactions were anything but consensual.
In his now-private Instagram account, he wrote that the videos and images were “released with ill intention by a third party who was not authorized to have them or share them,” according to Variety. They showed “private, adult interactions that were taken out of context and manipulated to inflict maximum damage to my reputation, my career and family,” he added.
He also included a screenshot of a statement purportedly from the woman in the videos in which she says that, during the pair’s interactions, she “was always a consenting adult … In the end, it was all consensual and all online.”
The group initially responded to the allegations on May 10, writing in a Twitter post: “We are aware of the recent statements regarding David Ellefson, and are watching developments closely. As it relates to creativity and business, we are all familiar with one another. However, there are clearly aspects of David’s private life that he has kept to himself. As this situation unfolds, it is important that all voices be heard clearly and respectfully. We look forward to the truth coming to light.”