Women Guitarist Dead: Christopher Reimer, 26, Dies in His Sleep

--Christopher Reimer is second from the right.

UPDATE: "Chris is best known for his incredible and innovative guitar playing," Flemish Eye said in a statement Wednesday. "In Chris' hands, a guitar was transformed into an orchestra of layers and unrecognizable sounds; watching him play would leave one stunned that he could make a guitar sound so otherworldly."

"Although he has left a huge impact on many people through his contributions to music, Chris will be remembered by those around him for his wonderful presence. Chris left an impression on people all over two continents as he toured with Women and later with The Dodos, and people will remember his easy laugh, his generous nature and his wicked sense of humour."

"It's impossible to overstate the impact that Chris's passing will have on his community, as he was greatly loved. The fact that he chose to stay in Calgary instead of moving to another music centre is a statement to his commitment to his friends and family, all of whom are in total shock about this utterly tragic and sudden loss."

Christopher Reimer, guitarist for Calgary noise-rock group Women and, more recently, the Dodos, is dead at age 26. According to the Calgary Herald, he passed away in his sleep.

"We're shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of Women guitarist, Chris Reimer. Chris' virtuosic playing is one of the many reasons we fell in love with this band in the first place. If you were lucky enough to ever see them play live, you know what we mean. Always calm and collected while shredding. So much fun to watch," wrote the group's U.S. record label Jagjaguwar.

"All of that aside, Chris was an incredible friend. He was one of the warmest and funniest people we've been lucky to know and work with. As sad as this is, it's hard to not smile when thinking of him. Our love and support goes out to Chris' family and friends. So so much love for you, Chris."

Women formed in in 2007 with longtime friends Reimer, Mike Wallace, Patrick Flegel and Matthew Flegel. The band's self-titled debut, recorded by Chad VanGaalen, received critical acclaim as Women was compared to the Velvet Underground and the Zombies.

The band's 2010 sophomore effort, 'Public Strain,' proved to be an ominous title as Women would break up during a tumultuous show in Victoria, B.C. during which witnesses reported to Exclaim! that an onstage band brawl broke out.

"With a heavy heart, we regret to say that the band Women is exhausted and are in need of a break from touring," the band's Canadian label, Flemish Eye, said at the time. "They have experienced a lot of stress recently, and this culminated in a disastrous public conflict on Friday. Band members have been suffering from poor health, and are in near-exhaustion; as of today, all upcoming shows have been cancelled... The band would appreciate some privacy as they sort things out and recover."

After going on hiatus, some members performed with Chad VanGaalen while Reimer performed with the Dodos last year.

Neither members of Women nor Flemish Eye have released a statement on Reimer's death but several bands took to their Twitter accounts to send condolences.

"Chris Reimer will always be a huge inspiration to all of us," fellow label mates Braids tweeted Tuesday night. "Much love."

"We are devastated to hear about the passing of Christopher Reimer," Vancouver group Library Voices tweeted. "Our hearts go out."

"The Canadian Indie Music Scene is like family and we all feel it when we lose a member," added Outside Music. "Our thoughts go out to those who knew Christopher Reimer."

A memorial page has also been set up by his older sibling Nikki. "My beautiful, talented, sweet, smart, amazing, lovely, handsome, wonderful brother died in his sleep at the age of 26," Nikki wrote. "This is for him."

Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.

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