tWitch, Ellen DeGeneres DJ, dies in apparent LA suicide
Stephen "tWitch" Boss, the DJ from "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," has died, his wife has said, in what Los Angeles media reported was an apparent suicide.
Entertainment website TMZ said the DJ and dancer was found in a hotel in the city on Tuesday with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The outlet said the 40-year-old's wife, Allison Holker, had contacted police because she was concerned for her husband.
His body was discovered a short time later.
"It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to share my husband Stephen has left us," Holker, 34, said, according to multiple media.
"Stephen lit up every room he stepped into. He valued family, friends and community above all else, and leading with love and light was everything to him. He was the backbone of our family, the best husband and father, and an inspiration to his fans."
A spokesman for Los Angeles Police Department said officers had responded to a call mid-morning Tuesday involving the death of a man.
The Los Angeles County coroner's office said an autopsy was due to be carried out on 40-year-old Stephen Boss, who they said died Tuesday at a "hotel/motel."
Boss became a fixture on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" after he joined in 2014.
He stayed with the program until it ended this year.
He had also appeared on dance competition show "So You Think You Can Dance", and had roles in movies "Step Up" and "Magic Mike XXL."
Along with his wife Holker, he hosted reality show "Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings."
The couple, who married in 2013, have three children.
"To say he left a legacy would be an understatement, and his positive impact will continue to be felt," Holker said in her statement.
"I am certain there won't be a day that goes by that we won't honor his memory."
DeGeneres took to social media after news of the tragedy broke, posting a picture of her and Boss hugging.
"I'm heartbroken," she wrote on Instagram.
"tWitch was pure love and light. He was my family, and I loved him with all my heart. I will miss him." (AFP)
If you think you, your friend, or your family member is considering self-harm or suicide, you may call the National Mental Health Crisis Hotline at 1553 (Luzon-wide, landline toll-free), 0966-351-4518 or 0917-899-USAP (8727) for Globe/TM users, or 0908-639-2672 for Smart users.