News•June 9, 2020 2:38 PM ET•20,772 views

Austin Carlile (ex-Of Mice & Men) allegations resurface

Yesterday one Caitlyn Stiffler took to Facebook to assail Alternative Press for allegedly burying a story several years ago that featured a handful of women claiming to have been raped or sexually assaulted by Austin Carlile, former lead vocalist of both Attack Attack! and Of Mice & Men. Stiffler had this to say:

Dear Alternative Press, remember when over 15 girls shared their stories with you about this serial rapist? Because I do. I was one of them. Now you want to not only share HIS nonsense, but you want to put his name next to Jesus? No, just, no. It's not okay. The alternative community has followed you for YEARS. I followed your stories so closely all through high school and watched my artist friends be featured by your magazine. To be contacted by you to share my story, in hopes that it wouldn't keep happening to other girls, felt like a dream. Finally there was something I could do, considering I was told by law enforcement that there was nothing else I could hope for with no physical evidence. I never thought anyone would believe me or take this seriously, then there was your magazine asking us to share. He not only raped girls, probably more than anyone even knows about, he was a predator seeking out underage girls by using his position in the music industry to do so. He threatened you with a lawsuit and you backed down. I get it, who would want to be involved in that when you could just... not. That was your choice, a choice none of us had. We can't just let it go and forget. I for one had hoped that you would at the very least stop featuring him. Guess I was wrong to hope that. He needs CANCELLED. Get him out of these kids' faces who believe he's a good person deserving of recognition. #cancelaustincarlile #austincarlile

Shortly thereafter, Stiffler's husband, Jonathan, also called out Alt Press, providing the following details:

A few years back, realizing the extent of the damage done, I organized a group of women (MANY) who had been raped or sexually assaulted by @austincarlile over the years to be interviewed by @AltPress. I knew him personally, I worked in the scene & I married one of his victims.
— Father Jonathan Stiffler (@jdstiffler) June 8, 2020

After months of interviewing victims and putting together the story, right before it was going to run - @AltPress killed it because they were open to being sued by Austin and his lawyers. This was devastating. So many recounted their worst memories and for what?
— Father Jonathan Stiffler (@jdstiffler) June 8, 2020

Megan Thompson, who claims to have worked with Of Mice & Men when Carlile was still a member, chimed in as well:

No. Just no. You took statements from MULTIPLE friends like the one below and killed the story. I worked with this band when he was in it, and "finding Jesus" doesn't make up for how he treated everyone. Stop giving him a platform if you're not going to believe these women. pic.twitter.com/mX8hwFpjdm
— Megan Thompson (@MeganThompson) June 8, 2020

Prompted by the outcry, Alternative Press released a brief statement claiming that the story was never run "for legal purposes," but that they will now "reopen" the matter:

For legal purposes regarding the Austin Carlile accusations, the story couldn't run as it was told. As a female-led, lgbtq+ editorial staff, we're going to reopen this & find the answers you're looking for. We do not condone any of the accusations & this story WILL be heard.
— altpress (@AltPress) June 9, 2020

This afternoon Of Mice & Men issued their own statement denying any involvement in suppressing Alternative Press's original story: