Demi Lovato is mourning the loss of her male model friend who passed away following a struggle with addiction.
The 27-year-old singer took to her Instagram Story on Wednesday night to pay tribute to her friend Thomas Trussell III, 31, who was found dead at a Super 8 motel in Echo Park, Los Angeles on October 8.
Following an autopsy, the cause of death was deferred pending an additional investigation, but Lovato says that addiction was to blame for his death.
‘Devastated. Please hold your loved ones tight. Tell them they are special and that you love them. Make sure they know it. RIP to my boo @sirtruss [three heart emojis],’ she shared on Instagram, along with black and white snaps of Trussell.
The post comes nearly 15-months after she was hospitalized due to a drug overdose.
Demi Lovato, 27, took to her Instagram Story on Wednesday night to pay tribute to her friend named Thomas Trussell III who passed away on October 8
‘Devastated’: The posts come nearly 15-months after she was hospitalized due to drug overdose as she shared black and white snaps of her ‘boo’ with a heartfelt tribute caption
Lovato says Trussell, a 31-year-old male model died following his battle with addiction
He was a male model who also dabbled in acting in small acting roles
Lovato continued: ‘Addiction is NO joke. heaven gained this beautiful angel last night because of that terrible disease. I’m crushed and will always miss you @sirtruss. If you or someone you know is struggling please know it’s okay to ask for help.’
Trussell is a model with Next Models Agency in Australia.
Lovato is in recovery herself, she urged her 74.5million followers to ask for help if they or someone they know is struggling with addiction.
Just 14-months ago, the Sober singer was found unconscious in her Hollywood home.
Emergency services arrived at Demi’s home late in the morning of July 24, 2018 and brought her to the hospital after she suffered a heroin overdose, TMZ alleged.
‘Addiction is NO joke’: As she is in recovery herself, she urged her 74.5million followers to ask for help if they or someone they know is struggling with addiction
The site’s sources claim her overdose occurred at her $8 million Hollywood Hills home, where friends gave her the opiate antidote Narcan.
After her arrival at the hospital, a nurse there informed law enforcement that Demi had at some recent juncture taken methamphetamine, The Blast reported.
That website’s insiders also insisted Demi had not in fact overdosed on heroin.
Her representative apprised TMZ that evening: ‘Demi is awake and with her family who want to express thanks to everytone for the love, prayers and support.’
Trials and tribulations: In July 2018, the Sober singer (pictured last week in Jerusalem) was found unconscious in her Hollywood home. She was hospitalized for almost two weeks before checking into a treatment center
Added the representative: ‘Some of the information being reported is incorrect and they respectfully ask for privacy….’
Tough: Emergency services arrived at Demi’s home late in the morning of July 24, 2018 and brought her to the hospital after she suffered a heroin overdose, TMZ alleged
TMZ claimed she partied through the night before she was hospitalized, including at a birthday bash at the bar and restaurant Saddle Ranch for a backup dancer of hers.
In a single called Sober, dropped last June, Demi revealed her six-year sobriety had ended and pleaded for her parents’ forgiveness.
She was hospitalized for almost two weeks before checking into a treatment center where she broke her silence in a now deleted post to social media.
‘I want to thank God for keeping me alive and well. I have always been transparent about my journey with addiction,’ she explained.
‘What I’ve learned is that this illness is not something that disappears or fades with time. It is something I must continue to overcome and have not done yet.’
Since then, the former X-Factor judge has been keeping positive with working out and finding new talent management.
She has since signed with Scooter Braun whose impressive client list includes the likes of Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, and Kanye West.
Back in May she posted a snap of herself with the 38-year-old executive with the caption: ‘GUYS!!!!!!! Dreams came true today for me. I officially have a NEW MANAGER!!! And not just any new manager but the one and only @scooterbraun!!!!’
Lovato split from her longtime manager Phil McIntyre of PhillyMack last year.
She has released six studio albums since her smash debut, Don’t Forget, in 2008.
New direction: Back in May she announced that she signed with Scooter Braun whose impressive client list includes the likes of Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, and Kanye West