According to Billboard, divorce documents show the lead singer of heavy metal band AS I LAY DYING and the wife he allegedly tried to hire a hit man to kill had a mostly amicable split, and she expressed no fears for her safety.

But Meggan Lambesis, wife of Tim Lambesis, said in the court papers obtained by The Associated Press that recent changes in his behavior had her worried about his ability to care for their three adopted children.

Law enforcement officials said they arrested 32-year-old Tim Lambesis after he tried to hire an undercover detective he believed was a hit man. He is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday, two days after he was taken into custody at a store in Oceanside.

Meggan Lambesis said her estranged husband, who is covered in tattoos and known for his growling voice, had become "obsessed with bodybuilding" and was distracted while with the children, often texting or talking on the phone. She noted he had fallen asleep while watching them at the beach and said they need a "stable parent" to help them adjust to their new life.

The couple adopted the children - ages 4, 8 and 10 - from Ethiopia, and Tim Lambesis continued to see them for about 10 hours a week when he was not on tour, even though the couple was no longer living together, according to court documents.

She said he tours six months a year and had traveled across the country twice in one year to visit a girlfriend. She said he also had spent thousands of dollars on tattoos. Both had agreed to private mediation to discuss the children's custody.

Read more at Billboard.

Yesterday (May 8th) As I Lay Dying issued the following statement:

"As we post this, the legal process is taking its course and we have no more information than you do. There are many unanswered questions, and the situation will become clearer in the coming days and weeks. We'll keep you informed as best we can. Our thoughts right now are with Tim, his family, and with everyone else affected by this terrible situation - and with our fans, whom we love and draw strength from. Thank you for understanding, and as always, for your support of As I Lay Dying."