He was discovered by one of his sons.

David Messbarger, Peters's brother-in-law, said that the bassist's home had been burglarized four times in the last six months. He guessed that burglars had fired when they found Peters, who has a gun collection, at home.

Michael Stern, the orchestra's new music director, said, "It's devastating. I'm now joining an orchestra that is so much like a family and has lost one of its members."

His first rehearsal with the ensemble, which takes place tomorrow, will go on as scheduled. "They're a family," Stern said, "but they're professionals."

Peters joined the Kansas City Symphony in 1984, and was one of six double bassists. He also performed in local chamber ensembles and jazz groups, and played electric guitar in the orchestra's pops concerts.