TODAY -- Pictured: Twitch on Tuesday July 5, 2022 -- (Photo by: Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images)
Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss has passed away at the age of 40.
His wife, Allison Holker, confirmed his death to PEOPLE in an exclusive statement, but TMZ was first to report the unfortunate news. Both outlets say Stephen died of an apparent suicide.
“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.”
Allison added:
“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. We ask for privacy during this difficult time for myself and especially for our three children.”
Allison and Stephen share three children together, 14-year-old Weslie, 6-year-old Maddox, and three-year-old Zaia.
Stephen was better known as tWitch in the entertainment industry. In 2014, he took a DJ position on Ellen DeGeneres’s talk show. By 2020, he was named an executive producer. He remained with the show until its finale in May.
Stephen first gained visibility in 2008 when he wowed audiences as a contestant on So You Think You Can Dance. The judges named him runner-up in season four, but he later returned as an All-Star contestant.
Allison and tWitch met on the all-star season of SYTYCD as competitors. They got married in 2013.
Earlier this year, tWitch returned to the show once again, but this time as a judge.
Beyond Ellen and SYTYCD, Stephen also expanded his resume to actor and host. He appeared in several Step Up movies and Magic Mike XXL, and also hosted shows like Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons.
His wife didn’t specify the cause of death. However, as mentioned, multiple outlets have claimed tWitch died of suicide. Law enforcement sources told TMZ that Allison arrived at a Los Angeles Police Department station on Tuesday (December 15) “frantic” over Stephen leaving the house without his car–an unusual move.
Shortly afterward, police got a call about a medical emergency at a Los Angeles hotel. Upon investigation, police reportedly discovered Stephen’s body. Officials pronounced the famed dancer dead at the scene “from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.”
During their downtime, tWitch and Allison also entertained the masses with their choreographed dances online. Sometimes their kids joined in. The latest dance video was uploaded to Allison’s Facebook page just two days ago.
She closed her statement about his passing with a reference to their dancing.
“Stephen, we love you, we miss you, and I will always save the last dance for you,” Allison said.
The couple also recently celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary.
Since the news broke, fans, friends, and industry peers have shared their condolences, including Ellen and Jada Pinkett Smith.
