London musician drowns and bandmate still missing in Brazil

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Leon Villalba, 21, died yesterday in waters off Sergipe in the north-east of the country. His bandmate Timothy Kennelly, 18, is missing, feared drowned.

Witnesses have told how Mr Kennelly rushed into the ocean to try to rescue his friend after he began struggling in turbulent waves off Atalaia — the fourth most dangerous beach in Brazil.

The pair were on a six-week tour with their heavy metal band After Death as a support act for American group Master.

Lifeguards managed to reach Mr Villalba, but he was dead when they pulled him out of the water. Rescue teams were still searching for Mr Kennelly's body today. The tragedy happened at about 2.30pm local time yesterday. The band had been due to play in the nearby city of Aracaju.

A family friend today paid tribute to Mr Kennelly who was on a gap year and due to start a physics degree at York University in September.

Edward Doyle said the teenager's parents Rosemary and Diarmuid had been devastated by the news but were "hoping against hope" that he may be found alive.

Mr Doyle said: "Timothy was the heart of his family. He could light up a room and was always laughing and joking. He was a very talented musician but very intelligent also and wanted to go to university. The trip was just meant to be part of his gap year."

Mr Kennelly was a bassist and had recently joined the band after leaving Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School in Shepherd's Bush. He has a twin brother also called Diarmuid.

Mr Villalba is a former pupil of St Aloysius RC College in Islington and founded After Death in 2005 with drummer Barry O'Connor and guitarist Marc Yacas.

The remaining band members said they were "shocked" but added [Leon and Timothy] would want the show to go on. "We'll complete the tour in their honour," they added.