Instagram/Chelsea Yeager Yeager and Paul pictured together on June 8.
Chelsey Yeager was the long-term girlfriend of the Pantera drummer and founder, Vinnie Paul. On June 22, Pantera made the tragic announcement that Paul had passed away at the age of 54. Paul formed the band in 1981 in Texas with his brother, “Dimebag” Darrell, who was shot dead by former Marine Nathan Gale while performing in a club in Columbus, Ohio, in December 2004.
Pantera was considered to be one of the biggest names in heavy metal in the world. The Facebook statement simply read, “Vincent Paul Abbot aka Vinnie Paul has passed away. Paul is best known for his work as the drummer in the bands Pantera and Hellyeah. No further details are available at this time. The family requests you please respect their privacy during this time.”
Here’s what you need to know about Vinnie Paul’s ‘Soulmate’:
1. Yeager Posted Photos on Instagram of the Couple Laughing & Smiling at Her Birthday Party on June 7
Facebook/Chelsey Yeager
One of those mourning Paul more than most is his girlfriend and “soul mate,” Chelsey Yeager, 27. On her Twitter bio, Yeager wrote that she was “soul mate” to Paul. On a separate Twitter account, Yeager wrote about Paul in 2014, “I am hanging out with my babe Vinnie. I love him so much.” The couple had been together since 2013.
Posts on Yeager’s Instagram page showed that couple lived in Las Vegas together. The last photos uploaded by Yeager with the two together show them at her birthday party on June 7.
2. Yeager Has Done Some Modeling in the Past
Facebook/Chelsey Yeager
Other posts on that page show that Yeager has done modeling for Texas-based photographer, Eric Garcia. In October 2017, Paul and Yeager attended Sammy Hagar’s 70th birthday party in Cabo.
3. Yeager’s Father Paid Tribute to Paul on Facebook, Calling Him a ‘Legend & Partner’
Instagram/Chelsey Yeager
In celebration of Paul’s birthday on March 11, Yeager’s mother wrote on Facebook, “Happy, Happy Birthday Vinnie! You bring so much joy to our life!!” While Yeager’s father, Qunton, posted on Facebook in the immediate aftermath of Paul’s death, “A man, a legend, a partner is gone. I, we will miss you so much.” According to his LinkedIn page, Yeager’s father is a tech mechanic at MillerCoors.
4. Yeager’s Best Friend Was Tragically Killed in a Car Accident in 2013
Tragedy struck Yeager in December 2013 when her best friend, whom she affectionately referred to as her wife on social media, was killed in a car accident. The Dallas Morning News reported that 21-year-old Jessica Ware’s car hit a pole on McCart Avenue, Alta Mesa Boulevard in Tarrant County. Ware was pronounced dead at the scene. In a tragic coincidence, Ware had posted a photo on Instagram of her dinner a few hours before her death with a caption that read, “I’m in heaven.”
After Ware’s memorial service, Yeager wrote on Instagram, “Missing you more & more wifey! Those gold wings couldn’t have been more perfect!” A year after Ware’s death, Yeager took to Instagram again to beautifully pay tribute to her friend saying, “Sadly it’s been a year today since my wifey aka best friend was taken away from us although it still feels like yesterday & every day since there wasn’t one time I didn’t think of you. I’d give anything to take back the time to nights of singing around the fire to “pretty good at drinkin beer” & out retardedly entertaining “owl watching” activities along with other never forgetful moments! The good ones go way too soon…it’s not goodbye but I’ll see you soon J! I love you! #RIP”
5. Paul Is Being Mourned on Social Media by Some of Music’s Biggest Names
Instagram/Chelsey Yeager
As news of Paul’s death continues to reverberate around the music industry, fans and musicians alike have taken to social media to pay tribute to the drummer. Some even offered there thoughts and prayers to Yeager:
RIP @vinniepaul3 💔My heart is broken. What an amazing soul taken too quickly. Love and prayers to you @chelseyeagerxo ♥️ #vinniepaul
While music’s biggest names sent out poignant messages of love for Paul:
GOD BLESS VINNIE PAUL – 1964-2O18 – FATHER VINNIE,Your Compassion for others & Your Love for seeing everyone around you Happy I will never forget – Your Heart of Gold Made The World a Better Place – Go be w/Your BELOVED BROTHER – I LOVE YOU – tBLSt SDMF
Tragic news about Vinnie Paul today. He was one of the warmest people I knew. A truly good & fun friend. We’re going to miss you more than you could possibly have known. RIP buddy. t.co/yQqruY4tio
Rock in peace sonicbombast Texas bloodbrother Vinnie Paul. I will jam for you forever.
FUCK!!! Just waking up here in Belgium to the news of Vinnie Paul…I’m in total shock…Heaven just got a little crazier with the Abbott Bros back together again…RIP Bro 😢
RIP Vinnie Paul. Friend. Humorist. Badass drummer. All-around good man. Condolences to the family. You will be missed bro…
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Chelsey Yeager, Vinnie Paul’s Girlfriend: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know