Twin Cities violist found dead near Stone Arch Bridge

Violist Eric Larss Peterson has died. He was 42. His body was found on the river shoreline near the Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis on Saturday. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office will not be releasing the cause of death, as it was determined no foul play was involved.

Peterson lived most of his life in Minneapolis, and performed in the Loring String Quartet, the Helios Quartet, and the Minnesota Contemporary Ensemble. He also filled in with both the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and the Minnesota Orchestra.

Paul Walsh of the Star Tribune reports that while exceptionally talented, Peterson suffered from persistent bouts of mental illness.

As a teenager, Peterson was in the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies while attending the Academy of Holy Angels High School, where he was in theater. After graduating in 1987, he studied music at the University of Southern California but had to return to Minneapolis when "mental illness reared its ugly head," said his mother, Becky Peterson.

Eric Peterson resumed his studies at the University of Minnesota and received his degree in viola performance. In a nod to his talent, he immediately became the Toledo Symphony Orchestra's principal viola.

According to his family, Peterson was homeless and was at the hospital the day before his body was found.

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