VH1 reality star Denise Russo from The X-Life has died at age 44.
Deadline reports that Russo died last Sunday (March 5) at a friend’s apartment in San Diego. She was found unresponsive and first responders were unable to resuscitate her.
Russo’s cause of death is still pending, though the San Diego Medical Examiner has revealed that drug paraphernalia was found at the scene.
During Russo’s time on the show, she was dating professional skateboarder Pierre-Luc Gagnon. The two share one son, but have since gone their separate ways.
According to TMZ, Russo’s friend and former co-star, Susie Stenberg, claims that the reality star was homeless and living in her car at her time of death. Stenberg called Russo “loving and loyal,” and shared that they had spoken the night before her death.
Gagnon has yet to comment on Russo’s death; however, comments on his recent Instagram posts show fans sending their condolences and telling him to “take care of Leo,” his shared son with Russo.
The reality star regularly shared selfies and posted images of her son on her Instagram, where she was also campaigning to be Inked Magazine’s next cover girl. On her profile, she wrote, “I love being a mom! I have an 8 year old beautiful son named Leo Wolf.” The reality star continued to share that “boys rule” and “being his momma is a gift.”
The X-Life premiered on VH1 in 2011 and followed a group of extreme sport athletes and their girlfriends. Along with Russo, Gagnon and Stenberg, the show featured Cory “Nasty” Nastazio, Nicole Panattoni and Jeremy “Twitch” Stenberg.