Ellen DeGeneres pays tribute to Stephen tWitch Boss

'He was my family, and I loved him with all my heart'

TV chat show host Ellen DeGeneres is among those paying tribute to Stephen tWitch Boss after his death was confirmed yesterday. He was 40-years-old. The dancer and entertainer was an integral part of the chat show having first joined in 2014, before being promoted to executive producer. Ellen took to Twitter to share a tribute to him. She wrote: "I’m heartbroken. tWitch was pure love and light. "He was my family, and I loved him with all my heart. I will miss him. "Please send your love and support to Allison and his beautiful children – Weslie, Maddox, and Zaia." https://twitter.com/TheEllenShow/status/1603083354173079553 Justin Timberlake also paid tribute to Stephen, writing: "It’s heartbreaking to hear that someone who brought so much joy to a room, was hurting so much behind closed doors. https://twitter.com/jtimberlake/status/1603124478044577793 "I’ve known Twitch for over 20 years through the dance community - he always lit everything up. You just never know what someone is really going through. "Take care of yourselves. LOVE that human in the mirror. Check on your people. Sending light to his beautiful family in this dark, confusing time. You will be missed, Sir. Rest Easy." https://twitter.com/JLo/status/1603135816582078465 Jennifer Lopez said she was "shocked and deeply saddened" by then news, and sent love and strength to his wife and children. On Instagram, Jada Pinkett Smith wrote: "My condolences to all his loved ones that he has left behind. We had a lot of good times on the set of Magic Mike. He was so sweet, kind and generous. So many people suffer in silence. I wish he could have known that he didn’t have to. "May his beautiful, shining soul rest in the arms of the Great Supreme and may that same Higher Power heal the shattered hearts of his loved ones." https://www.instagram.com/p/CmJ62ULJ8XO/   TMZ reported that Boss died on Tuesday, and was found when police were called to a hotel in L.A. after reports of a shooting. There, they found the 40-year-old, dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

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.

There were no signs of foul play and the case has been handed the over to the Los Angeles County Coroner's office. In a statement to People confirming the news, the TV star's wife Allison Holker Boss said "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. 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." Related links:

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