Japanese TV Personality Ryuchell Found Dead At Agent's Office

Japanese TV personality Ryuchell was discovered dead at their agency's office in Tokyo, according to their manager.

The 27-year-old's cause of death has yet to be confirmed, but authorities are investigating the possibility of suicide.

Ryuchell, who had previously been married to fellow model Peco in 2016, became the subject of significant attention and criticism after publicly announcing in August 2022 that they no longer identified as male.

The couple eventually divorced but stated their intention to continue living together with their son.

Online, Ryuchell faced harsh criticism and accusations of being an absent father due to their gender identity and personal decisions.

However, in a YouTube video released in February, Peco defended Ryuchell and expressed her support as they explored their sexuality.

Ryuchell emerged as a prominent figure within the Japanese LGBT community, gaining recognition for its genderless fashion style.

Unfortunately, their rising fame also made them a target of online harassment campaigns, predominantly centered around personal life and non-conforming gender expression.

Shortly after their death, terms like "Ryuchell" and "character assassination" started trending on Twitter in Japan, with many expressing shock and sadness.

Amidst the news of Ryuchell's passing, one user acknowledged them as a source of inspiration and described them as a guiding light in a challenging world, BBC reported.

The user emphasized the importance of suicide prevention, highlighting the need for support and intervention.

Peco, Ryuchell's former spouse, and their son are currently located overseas. Peco recently shared a picture of a cake to commemorate their son's fifth birthday.

At this time, neither Peco nor the family has made any public statements regarding Ryuchell's untimely death.