Bear Rinehart, lead singer of the American rock band NEEDTOBREATHE, has publicly responded to serious allegations made by his younger brother and former bandmate, Bo Rinehart. In a recent Instagram post, Bo accused Bear of subjecting him to sexual, physical, and emotional abuse during their childhood.
Bo wrote that he had been abused by three people: “a camp counselor, a youth pastor, and my brother.” He also posted an image of Bear with the words “Sexual Abuser” over it, saying, “I will not remain silent anymore,” according to a report by Church Leaders.
In response, Bear shared his own statement via Instagram, acknowledging that both he and Bo had been victims of sexual abuse by a camp counselor when they were very young. However, he denied Bo’s claim that he had been an abuser, calling the accusation a “distortion” of past events, according to The Christian Post.
Bear explained that the brothers had gone through counseling together several years ago. During those sessions, he said, he took responsibility for ways in which he may have emotionally hurt Bo, but he emphasized that Bo’s current framing of the situation misrepresents the full story.
“As a father of three, I want my children to hear this story from me, with honesty and clarity,” Bear said in his statement. He expressed deep pain over being labeled a sexual abuser but added that he still loves Bo and is praying for reconciliation.
NEEDTOBREATHE, known for heartfelt songs like “Brother” and “Washed by the Water,” has long resonated with audiences for its themes of family and faith. Bo left the band in 2020 and has since launched a solo career under the name Coy Roy, often drawing from personal trauma in his creative work.
Though the brothers now present sharply contrasting narratives, both acknowledge a shared history of childhood abuse. It is this painful foundation—however differently remembered—that ties their stories together.
Whether this public rift will ultimately lead to healing or deepen their estrangement remains uncertain. But it reveals just how complicated—and personal—the path toward restoration can be when long-buried pain finally surfaces.
