Rick “Zombie Boy” Genest died on Wed., Aug. 1 at the age of 32.
While initial reports, including a tweet from Lady Gaga, claimed his death was a suicide, his manager Karim Leduc, released a statement saying he actually fell from a third-floor balcony, most likely while going out for a smoke.
"I've been on that balcony before. It's an emergency balcony, and it's supposed to be locked. It's a fire hazard exit so the rail guard is extremely low. I'm exactly his height, five foot ten and a half inches and that rail guard comes ... low, below the hips."
Leduc added that there were no drugs found in Genest's system, according to USA Today.
Gaga has since apologized for making the assumption he'd committed suicide.
The Canadian model is best known for appearing in the Born This Way video by Lady GaGa. His unmistakable look captured many hearts and minds.
Genest became L'Oreal's first ever male spokesperson and the face of Dermablend Professional. The amazing transformation using the product can be seen below.
He was featured in f Vogue Hommes Japan and GQ Style (UK). He also became the face of Roc-A-Wear, Jay-Z's fashion label, for its fall 2012 re-launch in Europe.
His tattoos were his claim to fame in other ways as well. For the 2012 San Diego Comic Con, a doll in Genest's likeness, dubbed "Zombie Boy" was sold as a limited edition, with only 500 replicas certified by Genest himself.
Genest holds two Guinness Book World Records. The first is the number of insect tattoos he has. The total amount is 176 tattoos. The second is the most human bone tattoos at 139.
While Genest's death was not a suicide, it is a serious issue and if you or a loved one needs help we encourage you to call 1-800-273-Talk (8255). You can also text “help” to 741-741.