Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss, dancer, DJ for ‘Ellen DeGeneres Show’ dead; cause revealed

LOS ANGELES — Stephen “tWitch” Boss, known for his work on “So You Think You Can Dance” and the “Ellen DeGeneres Show” has died. He was 40.

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Update 9:16 p.m. EST Dec. 14: According to a report Wednesday from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner the cause of Stephen “tWitch” Boss’ death was a gunshot wound to the head, the Los Angeles Times reported. The coroner said Boss died by suicide Tuesday at a Rodeway Inn motel in Encino, according to the newspaper.

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Original report: A report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner indicated Boss died at a hotel, but did not indicate a cause of death, pending an exam.

In a statement to People, Boss’ wife, Allison Holker Boss, confirmed the star’s death, saying, “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 honor his memory.”

In one of Boss’ last posts on Instagram, he wished his wife happy anniversary, and shared a number of photos from the couple’s wedding day.

Boss, known as “tWitch” rose to fame as part of the cast of “So You Think You Can Dance,” in which he was the runner-up in 2008, according to TMZ.

He went to join DeGeneres’ talk show, first as a guest DJ in 2014 before eventually being named a co-executive producer in 2020, USA Today reported.

Actress Mira Sorvino remembered Boss on Twitter, saying, “his joyful talent lit up our hearts from the time my kids were small. Hold your loved ones dear!! This life is not promised to anyone.”

At the end of her statement to People, Holker Boss shared a message for her husband, saying, “Stephen, we love you, we miss you, and I will always save the last dance for you.”

Note: If you, or someone you know, is thinking of harming themselves, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free support via the Lifeline by dialing 988. For more about risk factors and warning signs, visit the organization’s official website.

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