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Lady Gaga has apologised for speaking “too soon” by calling model Rick Genest’s death a suicide.
Rick, who died aged 32, was known as Zombie Boy, due to bone and organ tattoos across his body, including skull features on his face.
He was found dead at his home in Montreal, Canada on Wednesday and it was widely reported that he was believed to have killed himself.
Rick appeared in Gaga’s Born This Way video in 2011 and the singer said the loss was “beyond devastating.”
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Lady Gaga painted her face like Rick’s in her Born This Way video
But a statement on Rick Genest’s management Facebook page suggests that “contrary to reports” there’s still no official cause of death.
Lady Gaga has now deleted her original tweet which referred to: ‘The suicide of friend Rick Genest.”
She also wrote about mental health and urged fans to support one another.
“We have to work harder to change the culture, bring mental health to the forefront and erase the stigma that we can’t talk about it,” she wrote on Twitter.
In two new tweets, the artist apologised to Rick’s family.
She then expressed her condolences and paid tribute to the model again – sharing pictures of the two of them together.
As well as starring in Lady Gaga’s video Rick had modelled for French fashion designer Thierry Mugler, appeared in Vogue Japan and was once the face of Jay-Z’s Rocawear fashion label.
He apparently fell from the balcony at his home, after telling his girlfriend he was going out for a cigarette.
His body was found six days before his 33rd birthday.
But his manager, Karim Leduc told TMZ Genest’s family believe his death was an accident.
Leduc said Genest had a “very positive mindset” at the time of his death and was working on several projects, including a new music video and a book of poetry.
If you are in the UK, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 if you are struggling with mental health issues.
You can also get help at the BBC Advice pages.
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Lady Gaga has apologised for speaking ‘too soon’ over ‘Zombie Boy’ death