Former Of Mice & Men singer Austin Carlile accused of sexual assault

Austin Carlile, former singer of metalcore band Of Mice & Men, has been accused of sexual assault by a woman named Caitlyn Stiffler - who also claims that Alternative Press shelved the exposure story.

The story itself features multiple alleged transgressions by Caitlyn, who later posted a lengthy open letter to the publication asserting that Alternative Press buried an investigative story which would have reported multiple acts of alleged sexual assault by Carlile.

The letter addressed to the publication has since been taken down, but comments on 15 women who apparently shared their stories with them regarding their predatory alleged experiences with Carlile.

“Dear Alternative Press, remember when over 15 girls shared their stories with you about this serial rapist? Because I do. I was one of them. Now you want to not only share HIS nonsense, but you want to put his name next to Jesus? No, just, no. It’s not okay," Caitlyn's letter reads.

"The alternative community has followed you for YEARS. I followed your stories so closely all through high school and watched my artist friends be featured by your magazine."

"To be contacted by you to share my story, in hopes that it wouldn’t keep happening to other girls, felt like a dream. Finally there was something I could do, considering I was told by law enforcement that there was nothing else I could hope for with no physical evidence. I never thought anyone would believe me or take this seriously, then there was your magazine asking us to share," she added.

"He not only raped girls, probably more than anyone even knows about, he was a predator seeking out underage girls by using his position in the music industry to do so. He threatened you with a lawsuit and you backed down. I get it, who would want to be involved in that when you could just… not. That was your choice, a choice none of us had. We can’t just let it go and forget. I for one had hoped that you would at the very least stop featuring him. Guess I was wrong to hope that.

"He needs to be CANCELLED. Get him out of these kids’ faces who believe he’s a good person deserving of recognition.”

Caitlyn Stiffler's husband corroborated her claims, tweeting:

“A few years back, realising the extent of the damage done, I organised a group of women (MANY) who had been raped or sexually assaulted by Austin Carlile over the years to be interviewed by Alternative Press. I knew him personally, I worked in the scene & I married one of his victims.”

Caitlyn later specified that the claims in this post date back to 2007 for her own alleged experiences, and earlier for some of the other women.

A photographer named Megan Thompson shared Caitlyn’s post, and added, “Alternative Press took statements from MULTIPLE friends like the one below and killed the story. I worked with this band when he was in it, and ‘finding Jesus’ doesn’t make up for how he treated everyone. Stop giving him a platform if you’re not going to believe these women.”

Last night, Alternative Press released its own statement: “For legal purposes regarding the Austin Carlile accusations, the story couldn’t run as it was told. As a female-led, lgbtq+ editorial staff, we’re going to reopen this & find the answers you’re looking for. We do not condone any of the accusations & this story WILL be heard.”

On June 9, the current Of Mice & Men lineup issued a statement, reading:

“Yesterday we heard for the first time of an alleged article that was written, and apparently subsequently shelved, regarding a former member of our band.

"This individual has not been a member of Of Mice & Men for almost four years and neither the band, nor the team around us, has had any part in suppressing any such article.

"We absolutely condemn sexual violence and harrassment in any form.

–Aaron, Alan, Tino, Phil”

pic.twitter.com/ar3NE3Ufm0

— Of Mice & Men (@OMandM) June 9, 2020

Carlile formed Of Mice & Men in 2009 after fronting the band Attack Attack! In late 2016, he left Of Mice & Men due to chronic health issues as a result of the genetic disorder Marfan syndrome.

Aaron Pauley then became the band’s new frontman, formerly acting as the bassist and clean vocalist.

Caitlin Stiffler's full remarks on the allegations can be read below:

I originally shared this in my stories & on Facebook, but I don’t want it to disappear. I want anyone who needs to see this to see it.

Dear @altpress,

Remember when over 15 girls shared their stories with you about… https://t.co/W4JUZsO6rn

— Caitlyn Stiffler (@dammitcaitlyn) June 8, 2020