Lucian Piane, a composer and RuPaul’s Drag Race star, has died aged 46 after being hit by a car.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed he died on Monday morning after being struck by a vehicle in Glendale, California.
Piane was best known for his guest judge appearances on the US version of RuPaul’s Drag Race, alongside stars like RuPaul Charles and Michelle Visage.
He was a composer and music producer, earning a Grammy Award nomination for his work on the soundtrack to the 2007 Hairspray film.
According to TMZ, Piane succumbed to his injuries at the scene, despite efforts to save him by the Glendale Fire Department.
The musician reportedly did not have any ID on him when he was hit, only a citation, but was later identified.
Before his death, fans had been voicing concern for Piane online after he posted a series of alarming videos on Instagram.
TMZ claimed that he had been taken into police custody on Saturday for being under the influence of a controlled substance.
The following day, he received a second citation for an assault on an officer or emergency personnel and had a court date set for the day he died.
Piane had not appeared on Drag Race for several years, but was a familiar face in the early version of the show, appearing in at least one episode every season until series eight, plus three All Stars episodes.
He was known for writing and producing the ‘Rusical’ – RuPaul Musical – episodes, where he would often also join the judging panel.
As well as appearing on Drag Race, he worked with RuPaul to produce the albums Champion, Glamazon, and Born Naked.