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DJ and Dancer Stephen 'tWitch' Boss Dead at 40
Stephen “tWitch” Boss, the longtime DJ for “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” has died. He was 40.
His wife, Allison Holker Boss, confirmed his death in a statement to CNN.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to share my husband Stephen has left us,” she said. “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.”
“To say he left a legacy would be an understatement, and his positive impact will continue to be felt,” added Holker Boss. “I am certain there won’t be a day that goes by that we won’t honor his memory. We ask for privacy during this difficult time for myself and especially for our three children.”
According to TMZ, Boss’ death appears to be a suicide. Holker went to an LAPD station Tuesday to report that her husband had left home without his car. Soon after, Stephen was found dead at an L.A. hotel from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Boss rose to fame as a runner-up on “So You Think You Can Dance” in 2008 and later served as a judge for the dance competition. In 2014, DeGeneres brought him on as DJ of her daytime talk show until the show went off the air this year. He was also a co-executive producer of the show.
Boss’ final Instagram post on Monday showed him and his wife dancing in front of a Christmas tree. The couple are the parents of three children.
In the wake of the tragedy, tWitch’s celebrity friends took to social media to mourn the loss including Ellen and Ciara, who wrote, “I am so crushed to hear the news that you are no longer with us. I’ve always known you as joy, laughter, good times, and a big smile! Heaven has gained an angel today!”
I’m heartbroken. tWitch was pure love and light. He was my family, and I loved him with all my heart. I will miss him. Please send your love and support to Allison and his beautiful children – Weslie, Maddox, and Zaia. pic.twitter.com/lW8Q5HZonx
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) December 14, 2022
I am so crushed to hear the news that you are no longer with us. I’ve always known you as joy, laughter, good times, and a big smile! Heaven has gained an angel today! May you rest in paradise. Praying for your family during this difficult time ❤️🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/kWd9ZvvKn4
— Ciara (@ciara) December 14, 2022
Damn this is sad news.
sending prayers to Stephen “tWitch” Boss’s family and friends. ❤️🙏 RIP TWITCH— DJ Pauly D (@DJPaulyD) December 14, 2022
A kind soul and a sweet person.. that is how I will remember Twitch… This was his 40th birthday party .. my heart goes out to his family especially Allison and their beautiful kids.. this is devastating… I love you brother and will miss you dearly. pic.twitter.com/qkmsM3aodT
— loni love (@LoniLove) December 14, 2022
We need to pray ! My God ! U never know what someone is going through. This breaks my heart. pic.twitter.com/EerC8h18JC
— Jennifer Hudson (@IAMJHUD) December 14, 2022
Take care of yourselves. LOVE that human in the mirror. Check on your people. Sending light to his beautiful family in this dark, confusing time.
You will be missed, Sir. Rest Easy.
🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/rfe2NkhbCX— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) December 14, 2022