'Heartbroken' Ellen DeGeneres Breaks Silence On tWitch's Death: 'He Was My Family'

Ellen DeGeneres broke her silence following the news that Stephen "tWitch" Boss has died by reported suicide. He was 40.

On Wednesday, the 64-year-old Hollywood star and former talk show host took to Instagram to share a heartwarming photo of her and tWitch hugging on the set of her talk show. She then poured her heart out in the caption.

"I'm heartbroken. tWitch was pure love and light. He was my family, and I loved him with all my heart," she wrote.

The "Ellen DeGeneres Show" host continued, "I will miss him. Please send your love and support to Allison and his beautiful children — Weslie, Maddox and Zaia."

Fans and followers quickly expressed their support for DeGeneres amid her friend's passing.

Actress Olivia Munn wrote, "Absolutely heartbreaking." Former "Ellen Show" executive producer Andy Lassner added, "Nobody made him smile like you did."

"He was a beautiful soul. My heart breaks for Allison and family. I know how much you loved him. Sending you all as much love and prayers as I can. Holding you all in my heart," one fan commented.

Boss, who reportedly died on Tuesday, joined the "Ellen Show" as the in-house DJ in 2014. He became a co-executive producer of the talk show in August 2020. The program ended its 19-year run this past May, as per Us Weekly.

After the program aired its final episode, the hip-hop freestyler shared photos of him and Ellen and a heartfelt message about the show on his Instagram.

"How do I say goodbye to a show that changed my life in so many ways? I guess if there was an answer to this it would be to send the show off with as much love as possible. Through thoughts, actions, and as Ellen would say before we left the show each day, 'Take this (feeling in the room) out into the world and spread it,'" he wrote at the time.

TMZ first broke the news on tWitch's passing, saying it appeared to be suicide. Law enforcement sources told the outlet that his wife had informed an LAPD station that he left their home without his car. He was found dead at an L.A. hotel a short time later from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The TV personality was pronounced dead at the scene.

Boss is survived by his wife, choreographer and actress Allison Holker, and their kids, Weslie, 14, Maddox, 6, and Zaia, 3. Weslie is Holker's daughter from a previous relationship whom tWitch adopted.

If you have thoughts of suicide, confidential help is available for free at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Call 1-800-273-8255. The line is available 24 hours, every day.