Camera Obscura’s Carey Lander dies of bone cancer aged 33

TRIBUTES have been paid around the world to the musician Carey Lander, a singer and keyboardist with indie-pop outfit Camera Obscura, after she lost her battle with bone cancer.

Carey Lander, left, with her Camera Obscura bandmates Kenny McKeeve, Lee Thomson, Tracyanne Campbell and Gavin Dunbar. Lander has passed away aged 33 after being diagnosed with bone cancer earlier this year. Picture: Robert Perry

The Glasgow band have announced that the 33-year-old passed away yesterday - less than two months after she launched a fundraising campaigner for a cancer charity.

Last week it was announced that Lander had reached her fundraising target of £50,000. More than 2800 people have donated so far.

The band announced the cancellations of tours of Mexico and Canada due to take place this month back in August when Lander, who joined Camera Obscura in 2002, revealed that she was seriously ill and launched her fundraising appeal.

Broadcasters Lauren Laverne and Dermot O’Leary, film star Zooey Deschanel, comic Josie Long, and the band Franz Ferdinand have been among those to pay tribute to Lander.

Laverne tweeted: “Desperately said to hear that Carey Lander passed away earlier today. My thoughts and love are with her family & friends.”

Deschanel said: “So sad to hear that Carey Lander from the amazing Camera Obscura has passed away.”

O’Leary said: “Just the most deeply sad news.”

A statement issued by Camera Obscura said: “We have lost our friend and band mate, and our deepest sympathy goes out to her partner Kenny, and to all her family and friends.

“She was left in no doubt how much you all loved and appreciated her, and we’d like to thank you all for the support and kind words you have been sending to us and her.

“The band, our music, and all of you who have enjoyed it over the years, meant so much to her.

A statement from Sarcoma UK, the charity Lander was raising money for, said: “We are deeply saddened to hear the news that Carey passed away on Sunday. Our thoughts are with her family, friends and everyone close to her.

“Carey had a type of sarcoma (cancer) called osteosarcoma, which starts in the bone. It usually affects teenagers, young people and occasionally older adults.

“It is extremely rare, and around 150 people are diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the UK each year. In Scotland, around 15 people are diagnosed with osteosarcoma each year.”