NEEDTOBREATHE Frontman Bear Rinehart Accused by Younger Brother Bo of Sexual Abuse
Former NEEDTOBREATHE guitarist Bo Rinehart has posted a statement on Instagram alleging that he was sexually assaulted multiple times during his childhood by three different people, including Bear Rinehart, his brother and the band's lead singer.
"I am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse," Bo wrote in his statement. "I've been sexually abused by a Camp counselor. I've been sexually, physically and emotionally abused by my brother. And I've been abused by my youth pastor."
Following this statement, Bo posted a picture of Bear in a since-deleted Instagram story with the caption "sexual abuser."
Bear and Bo formed the band in the early 2000s and eventually achieved crossover success despite initially being categorized as a "Christian band." Bo left the band in 2020.
In 2023, Bo spoke to 'People' about coming to terms with his sexual abuse as an adult. At the time, he did not provide details of the alleged abuse.
"It takes time," Bo said. "At some point in our lives, we get to this stage - and it's generally with survivors of childhood sexual abuse, it's in their late 30s or early 40s - where it starts to surface whether you want it to or not. You'll start to see how your life's kind of breaking down."
Neither Bear Rinehart nor NEEDTOBREATHE have commented on the allegations at the time of publishing.
