Jim Ward has had to cancel his show in Sydney on Friday because a close friend of his Esme Barrera has been murdered.
Jim Ward at Noise11.com. Photo by Ros O'Gorman
“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,” Jim said in a statement today.
Esme was well-known in the Austin music scene. The 29-year old was also a teacher helping children with special needs at the Casis Elementary School.
Police are still looking for Esme’s murderer and suspect a black man aged between 30 and 40, approximately 6 foot tall. Two other attacks happened near Esme’s home, one just 30 minutes before Esme’s body was found at 2:45am on New Years Day.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers on (512) 472-TIPS.
Jim Ward was due to perform his last Australian show at the Sandringham Hotel in Sydney on Friday, January 6, 2012.
To help pay for Esme’s service and expenses a blog has been created at http://forouresmeb.blogspot.com/
Watch Jim Ward perform at Noise11.com
