So You Think You Can Dance winner Joshua Allen's death has officially been ruled a suicide
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The dancer's family previously announced that he died after he was hit by a train on Tuesday, Sept. 30
Friends have remembered him as "one of the realest people"
So You Think You Can DancewinnerJoshua Allen's death has officially been ruled a suicide.
The 36-year-old dancer died on Sept. 30, 2025, 17 years after he won season 4 of the competition series. A rep for Allen confirmed news of his death to PEOPLE last year.
Allen's manner of death has been ruled a suicide with a cause of death listed as "blunt force injuries," per the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office in Texas.TMZwas the first to report.
Shortly after news broke of Allen's death, a family member toldTMZthat he died after being hit by a train before being hospitalized. The family was asking for "privacy and prayers" from fans at the time, per the outlet.
Allen, who was from Fort Worth, Texas, won his season ofSYTYCDwhen he was 18. He went on to star in 2010'sStep Up 3D, the 2011Footlooseremake and an episode ofAmerican Horror Storyin 2011.
On Friday, March 13, Allen's friend and choreographer Comfort Fedokeremembered Allenon what would have been his 37th birthday. "I still find myself in disbelief that you're no longer here," she wrote. "A select few people could truly understand the pain and disbelief I feel all the time. We've known each other since we were 14, and we shared something that no one could ever take away from us."
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Fedoke added, "Being part of something as life-changing asSo You Think You Can Dancebrought pressures that only a handful of people will ever truly understand. I wish I had more time. I wish I hadn't assumed there would always be more time to catch up, to talk, speak more about the struggles, reconcile. Realizing that time is gone has left a forever knot in my stomach. This s--- is truly unbelievable. Wishing you a heavenly birthday."
Emmanuel Hurd, a choreographer and friend of the dancer, wrote onInstagramafter his death, "Can't wrap my head around this…Josh…my brotha. There are no words. You were the life of the party. You were Batman. Champion. One of the realest people I ever met. Kept it a stack every time and would make it right if you fell short. A real King."
"This one hurts deep. I know you're with Stephen now and that brings me comfort. I love you bro. IVEVER," Hurd wrote, referencingStephen "tWitch" Boss, whodied by suicideat age 40 in December 2022. Boss was the runnerup to Allen during their season before the pair returned as All-Stars.
In 2017, Allen wassentenced to one year in county jailafter pleading no contest to domestic violence.Los Angeles Daily Newsreported at the time that he was also sentenced to five years of formal probation and 52 weeks of domestic violence counseling.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at988lifeline.org24/7.
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