MUMBAI: Lead vocalist of heavy metal band As I Lay Dying, Tim Lambesis was arrested on 7 May in Southern California as authorities said he tried to hire an undercover detective to kill his estranged wife.

According to agencies, San Diego County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Jan Caldwell said that Lambesis was taken into custody in Oceanside, near San Diego. "The information came to us late last week," Caldwell told Reuters. "We acted quickly on it. I believe that we averted a great tragedy."

Fans of Lambesis expressed shock and disbelief in reaction to his arrest, posting messages of support on his Facebook page.

The statement said detectives received information on 2 May that Lambesis had solicited someone to kill his wife, Meggan, who lives in nearby Encinitas with their three adopted children.

His wife, Meggan Lambesis, is listed as a background vocalist on Austrian Death Machine's 2008 debut album Total Brutal. The couple had split in 2012.

A representative for the As I Lay Dying's record label, Metal Blade, could not immediately be reached for comment.

Lambesis’ band had been on Asia tour recently. According to its website, the band is scheduled for few tours and metal acts later this month.