December 17, 2001 – Bianca Halstead (a.k.a. Bianca Butthole), bassist/singer for Hollywood hard rockers Betty Blowtorch was killed 5:30 a.m. yesterday morning in a car accident in New Orleans. She was 36 years old. The driver of the car was 33-year-old William McAllister, reportedly a correspondent for Metal Sludge. According to Chris Lee from the New Orleans band Supagroup, who was with Bianca up until she left with McAllister, McAllister and Bianca left the El Matador Lounge near on Decatur Street after a night of post-gig partying with tourmates Nashville Pussy following their gig at the Howlin' Wolf. "They were driving on the I10 toward Kinner in a '86 Corvette when McAllister lost control of the wheel and the car spun around. They were sideswiped by another car on Bianca's side and she was killed instantly. McAllister is be held by New Orleans police and is facing criminal charges. The two passengers in the other car have been hospitalized." A local news story on the incident reported today that their car jumped the median and swerved into oncoming traffic before being hit. Sources say McAllister appeared inebriated, though Bianca had been sober for 10 years.