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() — Ellen DeGeneres said Wednesday that she was “heartbroken” by the death of DJ and co-executive producer of her former talk show, Stephen “tWitch” Boss.
“I am heartbroken. tWitch was pure love and light,” he wrote on instagram. “He was my family and he loved him with all my heart. I will miss it. Please send your love and support to Allison and her beautiful children: Weslie, Maddox and Zaia.”
Allison Holker Boss, his wife, confirmed in a statement to on Wednesday that her husband had died at age 40.
He died by suicide, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. The Los Angeles County coroner’s office completed its examination of him and released the report on his death on Wednesday.
Ellen DeGeneres said Wednesday that she was “heartbroken” by the death of DJ and co-executive producer of her former talk show, Stephen “tWitch” Boss.
Boss began his DJ duties on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” in 2014, eventually becoming co-executive producer and occasional guest host.
Amid tribulations during the show’s airing, stemming from accusations against DeGeneres by some employees of a toxic work environment, Boss publicly supported her friend DeGeneres.
“We can’t legally talk about it too much, but I will say this, there has been love,” Boss told Us Weekly. “Obviously there are some things to address, but from my point of view and many others, there has been love. I will leave it at that until there is a time when we can speak more publicly. There has been love and there will continue to be love.
As the show prepared for its finale earlier this year, Boss looked back on his time there fondly, telling Entertainment Tonight saying goodbye was a challenge.
“Things have a beginning and an end, so I know that, but I think the closer it gets to the end, naturally, like us, you start to miss it and you start to soak up all the little moments where you say, ‘ Well, maybe I’m not ready to say goodbye yet,’” he said. “But at the same time, this is the natural order of things and I’ve also said it before, I’m excited for my friend to start her new chapter of the rest of her journey, you know?”
When it came time to wrap up the “Ellen” show, DeGeneres surprised Boss with a moving tribute on air. At one point, she said, “Well, I don’t want to say goodbye.”
She went on to recount the first time they met, appropriately enough, for a dance lesson at her house.
“It was like a crash course in getting to know each other…and he was very patient with me,” she said. “We just bonded over learning to dance together.”
DeGeneres went on to point out that when he was absent from the show for whatever reason, a piece was missing.
“I count on him to watch and make silly jokes,” he said. “I love you, tWitch, and you know how much. We say that to each other every day when we say goodbye. After the show, we both say ‘I love you’. He says, ‘I love you very much,’ and I say, ‘I love you.’ And therefore he will never be out of my life.”
Boss reacted emotionally to the video and to DeGeneres’ words.
“I love the family that we have gained and something that I will always remember is that you gave me a place where I can be myself,” he said. He added, joking: “Whether I was a real DJ or not, I always felt at home.”
DeGeneres quipped, “You’re a fake DJ, but you’re a good man.”
Call 1-800-273-8255 in the US to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Provides free and confidential assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for people in suicidal or distressed crises. You can get more information about their services hereincluding his guide on what to do if suicidal signs are identified on social media. You can also call 1-800-273-8255 to talk to someone about how you can help someone in crisis. Call 1-866-488-7386 to TrevorLifelinea suicide prevention counseling service for the LGBTQ community.
For assistance outside of the US, the International Association for Suicide Prevention provides a worldwide directory of international resources and hotlines. You can also resort to Befrienders Worldwide.
See here where to seek help in Latin American countries and Spain.
