Jim Ward

Jim Ward cancelled his Sydney show over the weekend following the death of his good friend Esme Barrera.

The former Sparta and At The Drive In member released a statement announcing the cancelation late last week.

“We just found out a dear friend of Gabe and I has been murdered – we need to get home to be with family, friends and have the support of our gang,” Ward said.

Ward was due to perform at the Sandringham Hotel in Newtown on Friday 6 January.

Commenting on Barrera’s death, Waterloo Records, her employer, said: “Words cannot express the heart ache we feel over the loss of our co-worker and friend, Esme.

“We are still trying to make sense out of the senseless act that took her life. Trying to cope with her absence and remember the great joy that she brought us all.”

Barrera had worked at Waterloo for the past five years. She was a teacher’s assistant at Cassis elementary, and a student aspiring to earn her teaching certificate.

“She was a lover of music, an awesome DJ, a drummer, a music coach and mentor at Girls Rock Camp. She was also a huge supporter of underground music here in Austin and beyond,” the statement said.

Barrera, aged 29, was found murdered inside her home on New Year’s Day.

Tags | Jim Ward, tour