Denise Russo dead at 44: The X-Life star passes away in San Diego with ‘drug paraphernalia discovered on scene’

The X-Life star Denise Russo has died in San Diego at the age of just 44, with an official cause of death still pending.

She was discovered unresponsive on the floor while she was at the home of one of her friends this past Sunday, law enforcement sources told TMZ.

First responders were unsuccessful in their attempts to resuscitate her on the scene, where the authorities reportedly retrieved drug paraphernalia.

Her friend Susie Stenberg, who appeared with her on The X-Life, has revealed that at the end of her life Denise was living in her car.

Denise, whom Susie described as ‘the most loving and loyal person,’ purportedly contacted her and told her she loved her one night prior to her death. 

Throwback: The X-Files, which ran for just one season on VH1 in 2011, revolved around extreme athletes and the women in their lives; Denise is pictured at the show’s launch party in 2010

The X-Life, which ran for just one season on VH1 in 2011, revolved around extreme athletes and the women in their lives.

At the time Denise had been involved with the dashing Canadian professional skater Pierre-Luc Gagnon for three years.

The problems in their relationship played out in front of the cameras, and by the season finale they had decided to take a break.

However they evidently reunited afterwards and welcomed a son together called Leo Wolf, who is now seven years old.

On New Year’s Eve a couple of months ago Denise posted a heart-melting tribute to her son, whom she referred to by the nickname Lion. 

‘To my Lion Wolf, you are the reason the sun shines bright in the sky, why the moon glows, is full and the stars twinkle,’ she wrote.

‘Leo you are why the world is good baby and magical. Thank you for being my son my cub! Love of my life, no one compares to you.’

Denise shed some light on her warm bond with her son in an interview with the tattoo-themed magazine Inked.

The way they were: At the time of the show Denise had been involved with the dashing Canadian professional skater Pierre-Luc Gagnon for three years

Baby mine: Despite taking a break on the show’s finale, Pierre and Denise they evidently reunited afterwards and welcomed a son together called Leo Wolf, now seven

‘I love being a mom! I have an 8 year old beautiful son named Leo Wolf, boys rule btw and he’s the light of my life!’ she gushed.

‘We wrestle, I do my Russian wrestler accent and body slam little mouse on bed! Leo made life better and being his momma is a gift!’

She confessed in the same interview that she ‘went through a grueling custody battle,’ but did not provide further details. 

Susie meanwhile appeared on The X-Life as the wife and marketing manager of motocross driver Jeremy ‘Twitch’ Stenberg. 

Twitch, whose nickname comes from his Tourette’s syndrome, is still with Susie and shares three daughters with her.

Hard times: She confessed in the same interview that she ‘went through a grueling custody battle,’ but did not provide further details