Connect with us

Arts & Entertainment

‘Storm Chasers’ star Joel Taylor found dead on board gay cruise

he was 38 years old

Published

on

(Joel Taylor. Photo via Facebook.)

Joel Taylor, star of the Discovery Channel series “Storm Chasers,” was found dead of a suspected overdose on board a Royal Caribbean cruise ship on Tuesday. He was 38.

The ship, Harmony of the Seas, was being chartered for Atlantis Events’ all-gay cruise that departed Fort Lauderdale, Fl. on Jan. 20 with planned stops toĀ St. Maarten, San Juan, Puerto Rico and Royal Caribbean’s private island of Labadee.

TMZ reports that Taylor was partying on board the ship on Monday night and consumed the drug GHB. He fell unconscious and was taken to his room. His body was found later Tuesday morning.

On Tuesday, the ship docked in San Juan, Puerto Rico and TMZ reports that passengers revealed cocaine, Ecstasy and GHB, were rampant on board the ship.

A FBI investigation has been launched into who supplied the drugs and how they got on the ship.

Royal Caribbean Cruises issued a statement on Taylor’s death saying,Ā “We extend our most sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the 38-year-old male guest from the United States who died while onboard Harmony of the Seas. As is our standard procedure, law enforcement was notified and responded to the ship when it arrived in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Tuesday, January 23. A member of our Care Team is providing support and assistance to his family.”

Taylor appeared on “Storm Chasers” during its run from 2007-2012. The show featured a team of storm chasers following tornadoes in Tornado Alley.

Fellow “Storm Chasers” star Reed Timmer confirmed Taylor’s death with aĀ tribute posted on Twitter.

“RIP my best friend and storm chasing partner, Joel Taylor. I am shocked and absolutely devastated by the loss of my incredible, caring friend. We chased so many intense storms, and I wish we could have just one more storm chase. I’ll miss you forever, Joel. We lost a legend,” Timmer wrote.

Timmer also posted another tribute from the Storm Chasing Community with a special image.

Advertisement
FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM
SIGN UP FOR E-BLAST

Photos

PHOTOS: New York City Pride Parade

Annual LGBTQ march held in Manhattan

Published

on

The 2024 New York City Pride Parade was held on June 30. (Washington Blade photo by Daniel Truitt)

The 2024 New York City Pride Parade wound through the streets of Manhattan and past the historic Stonewall Inn on Sunday, June 30.

(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)

Continue Reading

Photos

PHOTOS: Fredericksburg Pride

Fourth annual LGBTQ march and festival held in Virginia town

Published

on

The 2024 Fredericksburg Pride March wound through the streets of Fredericksburg, Va. on Saturday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The fourth annual Fredericksburg Pride march and festival was held at Riverfront Park in Fredericksburg, Va. on Saturday, June 29. The event began with a march around downtown Fredericksburg beginning and ending in the park.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Continue Reading

Photos

PHOTOS: Goodwin Living Pride

Senior living and healthcare organization holds fourth annual march at Falls Church campus

Published

on

Drag artist Crimsyn marches alongside residents and supporters at the fourth annual Goodwin Living Bailey's Crossroads community Pride march on June 25. (Photo courtesy of Goodwin Living)

The senior living and healthcare organization Goodwin Living held its fourth annual community Pride march around its Bailey’s Crossroads campus in Falls Church, Va. with residents, friends and supporters on Tuesday, June 25. Following the march, a drag brunch was held with performances by drag artists of SADBrunch: Crimsyn, Sapphire Dupree and Evon Dior Michelle.

(Photos courtesy of Goodwin Living)

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Advertisement

Sign Up for Weekly E-Blast

Follow Us @washblade

Advertisement

Popular