The deceased, aged 64, was the lead singer and frontman of the pioneering Black rock band 24/7 Spyz. Friends, colleagues, and neighbors remember him as hardworking, talented, and dedicated to his craft.
Singer Peter Forrest was found dead in a private ambulette bus at 201 Castle Hill Avenue in the Bronx on January 13, 2025, just before 10:30 a.m.
Peter Forrest, from a post dated June 31, 2009 | Source: Facebook/forrest.thinner
A manager at Marquis Ambulette, where Forrest worked, said they couldn’t reach him, so they pinged the van’s GPS location before calling the police. Police responding to the 911 call found Forrest unconscious, facing down, and bloodied in the private ambulette.
He also had multiple injuries to his head and face, and police declared him dead at the scene. Neighbors, who chose to remain anonymous, noted that he was tied up inside.
New security footage has captured the events before the discovery of Forrest’s body. The video showed an ambulette arriving in the Castle Hill neighborhood at approximately 7:30 a.m. on January 13.
Two men were inside the vehicle, but it remains unclear whether Forrest was behind the wheel or if he was already deceased at the time. Around 40 minutes later, a dark-colored sedan pulled up beside the ambulette.
A woman exited the car, approached the driver’s side of the ambulette for a brief interaction, and then returned to her vehicle. The sedan drove off but returned a few minutes later.
At that point, a man exited the ambulette and entered the woman’s car before it departed again. The sequence of events has raised questions as authorities investigate Forrest’s death as a homicide.
No arrests have been made, and the medical examiner’s office is set to conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death. Police have also not confirmed whether they have identified a person of interest or motive in the case.
A spokesperson for Marquis Ambulette stated they are fully cooperating with the investigation but provided no further information.
Neighbors have described Forrest as a hardworking man who lived alone. He was the lead singer and frontman of the Black rock band 24/7 Spyz. Forrest also founded the BlkVampires, a rock band that graced the New York scene with iconic performances.
In an interview, he opened up about the band, “I have been a singer for many years and into all styles of music. I am credited for starting musical projects like 24/7 Spyz the Fluid Fondation/P Fluid/ A.F.C. Angelo Moore, P Fluid, and Cory Glover and BlkVampires. I always had the idea of a BlkVampires concept long before the Blade film came out.”
He added that 24/7 Spyz’s original logo, featuring a vampire with locks, sunglasses, and a New York City backdrop, reflected his idea that began in 1987. He fully embraced the BlkVampire theme and shaped it for the group.
Taking the initiative, he booked their first show, giving the band just 90 days to prepare. Despite not knowing each other well then, the band had something to look forward to, which marked the beginning of their journey together.
Friends and those who worked with Forrest in the past have spoken of his talent and the bond they shared. Scoonie Gee, a guitarist and vocalist, shared a deep musical connection with Forrest when they stayed in Los Angeles.
Gee recalled first meeting Forrest as he performed with 24-7 Spyz at Hollywood Live in the late ’80s. Forrest’s intense stage presence and the band’s unique fusion of rock, punk, funk, and ska were unlike anything Gee had ever witnessed.
Midway through the show, Forrest took his performance to another level by climbing a truss rod towards the back of the venue. Security tried to intervene, but Forrest climbed higher, determined to keep the spectacle going.
At the top, he executed a daring swan dive into the crowd, still singing, before being caught by the audience below. He joined the mosh pit, continuing to rock out as the band played on.
Later on, Forrest and Gee worked together professionally. He supported Gee’s career and was genuinely interested in his music, leaving Gee in awe. Their last communication took place just months ago, showcasing their bond.
Gee has mourned the singer, “Life is never fair, he was killed yesterday and was the nicest guy you’d ever meet, heart of gold. Took on a job in NYC as a driver, where he was found killed in his ambulette. My heart goes out to him and the entire Spyz family.”
A friend of Forrest, Jonny Kooklyn, is also devastated by his loss and hopes they find his killer. “I am sick to my stomach behind the circumstances of your passing you were one of the greatest guys I have ever known always very positive and down to earth you have helped me out in crisis,” he wrote.
Kooklyn added, “You were a very good friend always took the time to listen and provide good advice I will never forget you.” Kooklyn mentioned that he had been listening to Forrest’s album recently and had planned to reach out for a chat, as they would usually do, but got caught up with other matters.
He urged anyone with information regarding the funeral services to contact him as soon as possible with the details. Forrest’s passing has left those who knew and worked with him in deep grief.
