Sean Blosl, founding member and guitarist for Sanctuary, has died at the age of 58.
The news was shared on New Year’s Eve (December 31) by the band’s guitarist Lenny Rutledge, who was also Blosl’s cousin. Rutledge wrote on Instagram that Blosl passed away “earlier in the year” after being “involved in a vehicle related accident in Seattle”. Per an obituary notice from The Chronicle, Blosl’s date of death is marked as August 26.
Rutledge wrote of his cousin on social media: “Sean was my cousin, but to us we were much more like my brothers. We had a musical dream when we were kids that became a reality. Without Sean by my side I don’t know if I would have had the opportunity to make this musical journey. It is very difficult to sum up a lifetime of love, memories and experiences but I will always remember Sean as an inspiration and a teacher. RIP Brother. I will see you on the other side.”
Blosl was a founding member of Sanctuary, and was with the band from its inception in 1985 until 1990. During his time with the band, they recorded and released two studio albums: ‘Refuge Denied’ (1988) and ‘Into The Mirror Black’ (1990).
After departing the band in 1990, Sanctuary would go on to break up in 1992 before reuniting in 2010. Blosl did not rejoin the band for the reunion.
Blosl was replaced by Jeff Loomis of Nevermore and Arch Enemy after his exit in 1992. Blosl was not known to have performed with other bands after leaving Sanctuary, but is often regarded as a legend in the Seattle music scene.
Prior to Blosl’s death, Sanctuary frontman Warrel Dane died in late 2017 from a heart attack.
See more tributes to Sean Blosl below.
This one hurts. I got news that Sanctuary’s Sean Blosl died over the summer. I rarely mention my personal business…
Posted by Alison Braun Photography on Thursday, January 2, 2025
