Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins was found dead on March 25, 2022, in his hotel room at the Four Seasons Hotel in Bogota, Colombia. A year after his tragic passing, the band and their fans remain in a state of flux.

Hawkins’ tragic death sent shockwaves throughout the world. Tributes poured in from fellow musicians, some via social media and others in concert. It seemed that everyone had a story, a memory or an anecdote which connected them to the beloved drummer.

Foo Fighters initially canceled tour plans to focus on mourning, while questions and rumors surrounding Hawkins ran rampant. How could a person who seemed so healthy and full of life suddenly die? Thoughts immediately turned to drugs. Hawkins had, after all, suffered through bouts of addiction, including a near-fatal heroin overdose in 2001.

An initial toxicology report circulated shortly after his death that suggested an overdose was likely, but those findings were never confirmed. Meanwhile, a separate report claimed Hawkins’ heart “weighed double that of men his age,” which also could have contributed to his death.

The finger-pointing continued from there. Rolling Stone later suggested that Hawkins was exhausted by the constant demands of the Foo Fighters. Pearl Jam drummer and close friend Matt Cameron was quoted as saying: “He tried to keep up. He just did whatever it took to keep up, and in the end he couldn’t keep up.” Following the story’s publication, Cameron and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith walked back their comments.

Shane Hawkins joined Foo Fighters as drummer to perform “My Hero” at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert.