Friends of RuPaul's Drag Race star Lucian Piane pleaded with him to get help in the days before his death. The 46-year-old Grammy-nominated composer, who also worked under the pseudonym RevoLucian, died after being hit by a car on Monday.
Alarming social media posts
In the days leading up to his death, Piane shared a string of alarming posts on his public Instagram page, which has over 10,000 followers. He also pleaded for help, telling people to send him "help or a text asap". In August this year, he had shared a positive update, saying he had been sober for over a year.
However, his posts became erratic as he wandered the streets sharing images from his camera roll. One friend, SiriusXM host Larry Flick, said: "Lucian was my friend. It wasn't always easy. He was troubled, complicated, and filled with rage that he didn't know how to manage. Like many, I tried to help until he made it impossible. Guilt right now is real. The way he left this life was tragic and brutal. But I pray rest and peace await him on the other side."
Friends express regret
Another friend said: "It feels like a long time ago but really it wasn't - Lucian and I used to be quite close. Kind, funny, thoughtful, and as everybody is aware, extremely talented. I don't really remember when things changed but it was fast and furious, and everyone I know tried their best to help. To find understanding. To try to be kind in the face of his often reckless, hateful behaviour."
They added: "I regret there weren't more opportunities to not only help, but for him to be able to receive it. I regret I didn't have more of an understanding around severe mental illness and drug addiction, and what happens when those two often insurmountable issues join hands. I regret that Lucian won't be here to see the outpouring of love and admiration so many had for him and his work."
Police and security incidents
Others pleaded with him directly, with comments such as "Get help, Lucian" and "This is so sad to see. Lucian please seek help," while some encouraged him to present himself at a hospital. In one video, Piane stood outside a store, explaining he'd had one cigarette and was waiting for a "good Samaritan" to buy him more, throwing his head back, which he said was due to tardive dyskinesia. He also denied consuming methamphetamine, shouting: "I don't do meth, I'll take a blood test right now."
The Los Angeles Police Department arrived, and Piane confronted officers, asking them to stop implying he was on drugs. "Do I look like I'm on drugs?" he asked the camera. An officer stated that Piane was on parole and later said he was on probation for robbery, which Piane denied. "I'm not on probation for robbery, and I'm not on parole at all," he fumed.
In another video, Piane walked through a shopping mall as security informed him the property was closed. He continued walking, arguing he was "livestreaming", and filmed security guards as they attempted to eject him onto Hollywood Boulevard. He asked for directions to Loews (Hollywood hotel), then asked a security guard about sex trafficking, and alleged the guard was attempting to "corner him". He also appeared to threaten the guard, claiming his bag had "stuff" in it.
Final moments and cause of death
A video taken at Hollywood High School showed Piane telling a staff member he was Grammy-nominated and had worked with Sia, and that he had heard someone shouting "Help" as he walked by. He alleged he had called the LAPD to complete a welfare check. Another video showed him driving at night, livestreaming while smoking a cigarette and brushing his teeth, claiming he had found the "source of the giant sex trafficking ring".
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner listed Piane's official cause of death as blunt trauma and the manner of an accident. He was said to have been struck by a vehicle in Glendale, California.
