This story is the kind that hurts just to type; Danny Bobis, a member of the Long Island band Cipher and a beloved figure in the New York / New Jersey metal community, went missing this weekend while surfing in Indonesia. Danny lived in Long Beach, NY where he is a math teacher in the local high school and also coaches their surf team.

According to a story at CNN.com, Danny’s friend and surfing partner Brian Lonergan saw Danny’s surfboard wash up on shore: “Danny had just taken a wave before me. I couldn’t see him, and a few minutes later, his board washed up on the shore.”

Regardless, the search grinds on. The local government in the remote part of Indonesia in which Bobis went missing doesn’t have the resources for a full-on rescue search, so all money for the effort has come out of the family’s pocket. Danny’s family is asking for help from the metal community to help raise awareness of Danny’s case, and if it all possible, to donate money to the search effort. Funds will be allocated to any resources that will support the search including helicopter rental, local manpower, travel expenses, etc. All donations will be given directly to the family. Time is of the essence. To donate, log in to Paypal and send funds to dannybobisfund@gmail.com.

- VN, AR and the MetalSucks staff