Guitarist for the long-time theatrical metal band GWAR, Cory Smoot aka Flattus Maximus, has been found dead by his band members on their tour bus, after departing a show in Minneapolis before heading to Canada. There is no word as to the cause of death. It is not known how old Smoot is.

The character of Flattus Maximus has been portrayed in GWAR by numerous musicians over the years, and Cory Smoot joined the band in 2002. He has played the character as part of the band for the longest out of all previous musicians who also took on the name.