TLC Mourn Lopes
On Friday, shortly after learning the news of Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes’ death, TLC band mates Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas released a brief statement expressing their grief. “We had all grown up together and were as close as a family,” it read. “Today we have truly lost our sister.”
Antonio “L.A.” Reid, the president of Arista Records (TLC’s label), also issued a statement: “No words can possibly express the sorrow and sadness I feel for this most devastating loss. Lisa was not only a gifted and talented musical inspiration, but more importantly, she was like a daughter to me. My thoughts and prayers are with Lisa’s family and friends. Her legacy will be remembered forever.”
Lopes had been on vacation in Honduras when she died in a car accident on April 25th. The crash happened near Jutiapa, 150 miles (240 kilometers) north of Tegucigalpa, the Honduran capital. Seven other people had been in the car at the time of the accident, but Lopes was the only fatality.
“The car rolled for reasons that we still don’t know and that are being investigated,” said police spokesman Luis Aguilar.
TLC had been in the studio working on their new record, which was due for release this summer.