Upon a Burning Body: Looks Like Disappearance Was a Hoax

Earlier today, metal band Upon A Burning Body posted that their singer, Danny Leal, is missing and was last seen June 30. According to the band's label, Sumerian Records, it was a hoax...

By Phoenix New Times

July 2, 2014

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Earlier today, metal band Upon A Burning Body posted that their singer, Danny Leal, is missing and was last seen June 30.

According to the band's label, Sumerian Records, it was a hoax.

The news came in a Facebook post at roughly 3:25 p.m.:

Post by Sumerian Records.

The band is getting ready for Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival, which starts July 5 and is scheduled to stop by Phoenix July 11.

The band's Facebook page posted the following message about four hours ago:

Breaking News: Danny Leal (singer of Upon A Burning Body) has been reported missing. He was last seen in his home town of San Antonio TX on Monday, June 30th.

The band's label, Sumerian Records, posted the exact same message about an hour later.

At around the same time, the band's managers, Outerloop Management, posted the following on their Facebook:

"We are aware of the reports surrounding Danny Leal's disappearance. Until we have more information, we will withhold making any further comments at this time."

On June 30, Leal posted some rather ominous messages on his Twitter and Facebook profile.

Wide awake now... I could've sworn I heard someone in my house!!!!!
— Danny leal (@Dannyuabb) July 1, 2014

This same sketchy car has been driving past my house over and over for the past 3 days straight.
— Danny leal (@Dannyuabb) July 1, 2014

A San Antonio Police Department senior service agent says no missing persons report has been filed under the name of Daniel or Danny Leal, and Leal's name does not appear on the Texas Department of Public Safety's Missing Persons Bulletin.

No word yet from Leal, who we can only assume is somewhere in Texas, shaking in his boots at all the negative publicity this ill-advised stunt has caused.

It was suspicious from the start. No missing persons report? Posting on social media about an intruder instead of calling the cops? A vaguely worded announcement about the disappearance on the band's Facebook page?

If a band needs to make an extreme sympathy play on the emotions of its fans in order to drum up publicity for a new record, that band is probably not worth listening to.

Find any show in Metro Phoenix via our extensive online concert calendar.

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