Fri Jun 13 23:40:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
Former NEEDTOBREATHE guitarist Bo Rinehart has publicly accused his brother and bandmate, Bear Rinehart, of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse during his childhood. In an Instagram post, Bo also stated he was sexually abused by a camp counselor and a youth pastor. This revelation follows Bo’s previous disclosure in 2023 about coming to terms with childhood sexual abuse, though he did not name his abusers at that time. Neither Bear Rinehart nor the band NEEDTOBREATHE have released a statement addressing the allegations.
**News Article:**
**Former NEEDTOBREATHE Guitarist Bo Rinehart Accuses Brother Bear of Childhood Abuse**
**(City, State) -** Bo Rinehart, former guitarist for the Grammy-nominated band NEEDTOBREATHE, has made shocking allegations of childhood sexual abuse against his brother, Bear Rinehart, the band’s lead singer. In a recent Instagram post, Bo identified Bear as one of three individuals who allegedly abused him during his childhood.
“I am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse,” Bo wrote in his post. “I’ve been sexually abused by a Camp counselor I’ve been sexually, physically and emotionally abused by my brother And I’ve been abused by my youth pastor.”
Following the initial statement, Bo also posted a picture of Bear on his instagram stories with the caption “sexual abuser.” The post was quickly deleted.
Bo, who left NEEDTOBREATHE in 2020, formed the band with his brother in the early 2000s. The group gained significant popularity, crossing over from the Christian music scene into mainstream success.
In 2023, Bo spoke to People Magazine about confronting his past trauma, describing how he came to terms with being a survivor of childhood sexual abuse.
As of publication, Bear Rinehart and NEEDTOBREATHE have not issued any public statement in response to Bo’s accusations.
*This is a developing story.*
First Piper 