Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss, best known for being the resident DJ and sometimes presenter of The Ellen DeGeneres Show has died at the age of 40.
His wife, Allison Holker, confirmed the news in a statement to People on Wednesday.
The statement reads: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to share my husband Stephen has left us.
“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. I am certain there won’t be a day that goes by that we won’t honour his memory.
“We ask for privacy during this difficult time for myself and especially for our three children. Stephen, we love you, we miss you, and I will always save the last dance for you.”
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to the BBC that its West Valley Division officers responded to an “ambulance death investigation” radio call at a motel on Ventura Boulevard on Tuesday.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner has confirmed the cause of death was suicide.
Stephen joined The Ellen DeGenres Show in 2014 and remained on the US daytime talk show until it ended in 2022.
In 2020, Ellen named him an executive producer on the long-running programme.
Stephen broke into showbizas as a contestant on MTV’s The Wade Robson Project before becoming a runner-up on the US show Star Search.
He later finished in second place on Season 4 of So You Think You Can Dance.
His dance credits on screen include Blades of Glory, Hairspray, Step Up 3D and Magic Mike XXL.
He also appeared in Step Up All In, Modern Family, Ghostbusters, Love, East Los High and Bones.
He also choreographed K-pop artists Seven and Big Bang early on in his career.
He married his wife in 2013, and they had three children. Together, the couple also hosted Disney+ docuseries Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings.
The couple celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary last weekend.
Stephen marked the occasion by sharing photos from their wedding ceremony on Instagram.
“Happy anniversary my love @allisonholker #9years,” he wrote.
Allison also marked the occasion on her own social media.
In his last Instagram post shared on Monday, Stephen shared a video of him dancing with Allison to Alicia Key’s Christmas album.
Help and support:
- Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393.
- Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill).
- CALM (the Campaign Against Living Miserably) offer a helpline open 5pm-midnight, 365 days a year, on 0800 58 58 58, and a webchat service.
- The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email help@themix.org.uk
- Rethink Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0808 801 0525 (Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on rethink.org.