Pharell Williams (Photo : REUTERS/JONATHAN ALCORN)
"The Voice" season 8 contestant Anthony Riley, 28, has died of an apparent suicide. Before choosing Pharrell Williams as his coach in the NBC singing competition, he made a record as the contestant to achieving the fastest four-chair turn in the history of the show.
Official details on "The Voice" season 8 contestant's death are yet to be released. On the other hand, family friend Tootsie Iovine said that he took his life and was found in the basement of his apartment in Center City, Phidelphia, Ga., Philly reported.
After winning his first battle round, Riley confessed to "The Voice" season 8 producers about his struggle with substance abuse. He returned to Philadelphia to enter rehab. The late contestant, who was a street musician, was a fan favorite on the show and made headlines after missing the Knockout Rounds.
Williams and representatives for NBC's "The Voice" have yet to release an official statement on Riley's death. Meanwhile, Robby Parsons, a man who claims to Riley's best friend and fellow Philadelphia busker, recently confirmed the news about his death.
In an interview with Yahoo Music, Parsons said Riley passed away on June 2 but was not found until June 5. On the day the musician was found dead, Parsons said Riler called him to tell him about the tragedy.
"I called the friend he'd been living with, Bobby Iovine, and Bobby was in tears, and he said, 'Robby, it's true,'" Parsons said.
It was said that Riley had been working on an album but continued to struggle with addiction, according to his friends and family since leaving "The Voice" season 8.
