On the 2011 VH1 reality show “The X-Life,” we were introduced to Denise Russo. The show followed the lives of three couples. In every couple, the husband, or in Russo’s case, the boyfriend, was a professional extreme sports athlete. 

Russo was dating professional skateboarder Pierre-Luc Gagnon at the time the show was filmed. They never married, but they have a son. The couple eventually broke off their relationship.

Now, TMZ has shared the sad news that Russo has died. On March 5th, police responded to a 911 call in San Diego and found Russo on the floor of her friend’s home. She was unresponsive. First responders tried to resuscitate her. Eventually, she was pronounced dead. She was only 44 years old.

Russo’s cause of death has yet to be confirmed, but reportedly drug paraphernalia was also found at the scene. Police are still investigating.

In a press release, The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office stated, “Despite aggressive attempts at resuscitation, her death was pronounced. Drug paraphernalia was located on scene.”

 

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A post shared by Denise Russo (@dnice78)

Susie Stenberg, the wife of Jeremy Stenberg, was also on the hit reality show with Russo. She told TMZ that the night before Russo’s death, Russo called her and told her she loved her. Susie added that at the time of Russo’s death, she was homeless and had been living out of her car.

Russo is survived by her 8-year-old son, Leo Wolf. On social media, she often shared pictures of her tattoos and her son.

 

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A post shared by Denise Russo (@dnice78)

Before her death, Russo was in the running to be a cover model for Inked Magazine. The prize if she won would have been $25,000. On her profile for the contest, she said she would use the money “to build a foundation to reconnect with my son. I went through a grueling custody battle and I am still recovering. The money would help bring the stability in life to reunite us.”

Meet Russo on “The X-Life” in the video below.

Rest in peace.

[Image credit: Instagram]