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Casey Calvert, 26, guitarist in the popular Dayton rock band Hawthorne Heights, died Saturday, according to the band's Web site and myspace.com page.

The cause of death has yet not been determined, the band said.

An ABC news affiliate in Washington, D.C. reported police were called to the 9:30 Club — the venue where Hawthorne Heights was scheduled to perform Saturday night — about 2:30 p.m. on the report of an unresponsive person.

"Officers entered the band's tour bus at the rear of the building and the 26-year-old musician was pronounced dead on the scene," ABC-7 reported on its Web site.

The band had just kicked off a 28-date U.S. tour in Detroit, Mich., on Friday. Its 2004 debut album, "The Silence In Black and White," garnered the group national attention, while its 2006 sophomore effort, "If You Were Lonely," debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard charts.

Calvert's bandmates — JT Woodruff (vocals, guitar), Micah Carli (guitar), Matt Ridenour (bass) and Eron Bucciarelli (drums) — said in a statement on the band's Web site:

"It's with our deepest regrets that we have to write this. Casey Calvert passed away in his sleep last night. We found out this afternoon before sound-check. We've spent the entire day trying to come to grips with this and figure out as much as possible. At this time we're not sure what exactly happened. Just last night he was joking around with everyone before he went to bed.

"We can say with absolute certainty that he was not doing anything illegal. Please, out of respect to Casey and his family, don't contribute or succumb to any gossip you may hear. We don't want his memory to be tainted in the least. Casey was our best friend. He was quirky and awesome and there will truly be no others like him! His loss is unexplainable. As soon as we know more we will let you know."

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2427 or alarsen@DaytonDailyNews.com.

Related: Share your condolences | Band photos

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