The San Diego County Coroner has ruled that reality star Denise Russo died of an accidental fentanyl and methamphetamine overdose.
At the time of her death she was 44 years old. “X-Life” ran for one season and chronicled three extreme athletes and their wives as they juggled competition with their famous careers. Russo was dating professional skateboarder Pierre-Luc Gagnon at the time. They had a son together but had separated at the time of her death.
She died at a friend’s apartment in San Diego, but was homeless at the time, living in her car.
Before her death, Russo participated in a “cover girl search” for Inked Magazine (she placed sixth in a first round). in one Questionnaire for the competitionWhen Russo asked what she would do with the $25,000 grand prize, she hinted that she would use the money to “get in touch with her eight-year-old son.”
“I would use the money to build a foundation to get back in touch with my son,” she replied. “I went through a grueling custody battle and am still recovering. The money would help bring stability to life and bring us together again.”
TMZ was the one report first Russo’s cause of death.
Greg Evans contributed to this report.