Gay Model, Influencer Jeff Thomas Dead at 35
Gay influencer and model Jeff Thomas died unexpectedly in what authorities say was an apparent suicide, according to People Magazine. Thomas' family, however, dispute that theory.
"A Miami Police Department spokesperson told People Mag that officers found Thomas' body on the afternoon of March 8 at an apartment building in Miami," the magazine reported.
The report added that "the case is still open," and noted that the "Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner said that a cause of death has not yet been determined."
The 35-year-old model had been known to hobnob with celebrities, and his agent recalled Britney Spears pulling him onstage for a dance during one of Spears' concerts, according to UK newspaper the Daily Mail.
Thomas lived in a 57-story luxury apartment building in Miami, the Mail said. His "body was found on the sidewalk below and was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency services" shortly after 4:00 p.m. on March 8.
According to Thomas' cousin, Meghan Rae, Thomas' death "was not a suicide. To report otherwise is a complete disregard to his character and who he was."
Rae added: "The information being published is false and defamatory," before declaring: "No further comments will be made by our family. Please respect our privacy and his memory during this difficult time."
Thomas' agent, like his family, expressed disbelief that he would have taken his own life.
The agent (who "declined to be named") told the Daily Mail that she and Thomas "had been texting about the next phase of his career just 24 hours before he died on March 8, to the shock of his 120,000 followers."
Still, there was one odd thing the agent took note of: Shortly before his death, and not long after they had been texting, the model had tried to phone her. No message was left, the report added.
"I figured he accidentally dialed me because if he needed to speak with me he would have texted," the agent recounted.
The agent described Thomas as having been "in good spirits," saying that Thomas "was excited to tell me about his move to Miami and the next chapter in his life." The agent recalled Thomas as "sweet, outgoing, lovely and happy ... not your typical hot looking guy."
The agent, who had worked with Thomas for four years, went on to say that Thomas "laughed at how attractive he was and would get off on how sexy he was and enjoyed playing those parts," before saying, "He was the most beautiful boy I have ever seen in my life."
The agent "remembers he had a boyfriend at one time but believed he was currently single," the Daily Mail went on to say.
Friends and fans flocked to Thomas' Instagram, where the last post he made showed him lying in a frothing jacuzzi. "A cold plunge a day keeps the doctor away," Thomas captioned the photo.
"RuPaul's Drag Race" star Sasha Colby left the comment "Rest in Love," People Mag noted, while Joe Carozza of Republic Records memorialized, "Your infectious smile always brought so much joy to my life. Rest in peace sweet boy ❤️."
Other comments advocated for mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
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