In a heartbreaking public letter, rock band members from Stone Temple Pilots have collectively said goodbye to the group's fallen co-founder and former lead singer, Scott Weiland.

Weiland, who passed away on Thursday (Dec. 3) at the age of 48, helped found STP in San Diego, California in the mid-'80s and remained with the band for 27 years, in addition to briefly joining the rock supergroup Velvet Revolver, before going solo and forming Weiland and the Wildabouts.

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Weiland's former STP bandmates Robert DeLeo, Dean DeLeo, and Eric Kretz collaboratively penned a poetic farewell letter to him which they released on Facebook Friday (Dec. 4).

"Dear Scott, Let us start by saying thank you for sharing your life with us.

Together we crafted a legacy of music that has given so many people happiness and

great memories," the band wrote.

"The memories are many, and they run deep for us. We know amidst the good and the bad you struggled, time and time again. It’s what made you who you were," the band's statement continued, seemingly acknowledging Scott Weiland's history of drug use.

"You were gifted beyond words, Scott. Part of that gift was part of your curse. With deep sorrow for you and your family, we are saddened to see you go. All of our love and respect. We will miss you brother, Robert, Eric, Dean."