Reality star Denise Russo, best known for The X-Life on VH1, has been found dead at a friend’s home. She was only 44 years old. Drug-related items were found at the scene.
At the time of her reality show stint, Russo was dating professional skateboarder Pierre-Luc Gagnon. The show followed the lives of extreme sports athletes and their wives. (The “X” in the title referred to extreme sports, not ex-partners.)
The couple shared an 8-year-old son.
Russo recently participated in a “cover girl search” for Inked Magazine (she placed sixth in an early round). In a questionnaire for the contest, Russo, asked what she would do with the $25,000 grand prize, indicated she would use the money to “reconnect” with her eight-year-old son.
“I would use the money to build a foundation to reconnect with my son,” she answered. “I went through a grueling custody battle and I am still recovering. The money would help bring the stability in life to reunite us.”
According to TMZ, Susie Stenberg, Russo’s friend and former X-Life castmate, said that Russo was homeless and living in her car at the time of her death. Stenberg described Russo as “the most loving and loyal person.”