Alex Riley, who rose to prominence in the adult industry appearing in Helix productions, has died at the age of 22.
The young performer had won awards like GayVN’s Best Newcomer in 2020, and was loved by his fans, co-stars, and boyfriend, fellow performer Jacob Hansen.
Riley’s last post on Instagram is from December 2020, showing a hike he and Hansen took in their new home state of Arizona:
His last tweet on May 7 expressed love for his brother and mother:
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I just talked to my brother on the phone, I’ll do anything in the WORLD for him. Wether I can or not, I’m doing it. Damn…y’all have brothers? I love mine more than I could literally love anyone besides my mom. Hell. ???
— Alex Riley (@alexrileyxxx) May 8, 2021
An official statement from Helix Studios was posted Thursday morning. “We are heartbroken over the loss of Alex Riley, one of the most vibrant and talented young performers we’ve ever had the privilege to work with,” it reads. “Please respect his family’s privacy during this devastatingly difficult time. We love you, rest in peace Alex.”
We are heartbroken over the loss of Alex Riley, one of the most vibrant and talented young performers we’ve ever had the privilege to work with. Please respect his family’s privacy during this devastatingly difficult time. We love you, rest in peace Alex? https://t.co/PvStvgONWQ pic.twitter.com/WJSvs1yoMk
— Helix Studios (@HelixStudios) May 13, 2021
Jacob Hansen shared photos of the couple and expressed his love, writing, “To all of Alex’s friends and fans.. on Monday I got a phone call from Alex’s best friend that Alex passed away early Sunday Morning. Rest In peace babe you will always be part of me no matter where my life takes me.”
To all of Alex’s friends and fans.. on Monday I got a phone call from Alex’s best friend that Alex passed away early Sunday Morning. Rest In peace babe you will always be part of me no matter where my life takes me. ?? pic.twitter.com/wFK7Imkk6v
— Jacob Hansen (@JacobHansenXXX) May 13, 2021
No cause of death has been made public as of yet.
Fans have been expressing their disbelief and sadness over the news:
My timeline exploded this morning… lots of teary faces and sad messages, so I suppose it's true. This hottie is no longer with us… how? why? We'll learn more soon I suppose. RIP Alex Riley #RIPAlexRiley pic.twitter.com/vSP0QCEOnS
— Nick K (@xnlk21) May 13, 2021
#RIPAlexRiley my favorite thing bout you was your smile. I will be a fan of yours forever. I love you Alex.
— Damon (@Damon_2921) May 13, 2021
It still hasnt sunk in. Alex Riley was one of a kind. Gone too soon ??
— TrevorFans (@FansOfTrev) May 13, 2021
It takes time to realise, to believe… although you’re reading and reading… yet it’s not easy to find the words—if there are any—for Alex Riley. My sympathy to his family, his friends and @HelixStudios mates.
— Nicola (@arte_nicola) May 13, 2021
Chrisk
Not going to point a finger because I’ve had my share of that life too. Poor kid. RIP
Ken A.
This is vague/ Died from suicide, natural causes, a terminal illness, accidental over dose, murder, car accident? Never heard of him.
DarkZephyr
Why does it matter if you have ever heard of him?
SPEEDOSWIMMER
I am willing to bet that you haven’t ‘heard’ of a LOT of things and people. How’s your view under your rock?
TheAbsoluteTRUTH
Wonder if it was the gay communities nasty girlfriend Tina
Cam
No surprise that the same old right wing troll will use any excuse to attack the “Gay Community” for any reason.
Sweetie, your troll game is sad and tired.
ShiningSex
it’s sad, but maybe more needs to be done in the adult industry that seem to use and throw away actors like garbage. I’m sure it’s not an easy life, but more attention to the issues there need to be addressed.
frankcar1965
Give me a break, he knew what he was doing, he was an adult and made the choice. Porn is really just legalized prostitution after all. Live hard, die young.
justgeo
Basic kid with big teeth trying to make $$$$$$$$ Sometimes shit happens.
1898
what the hell is wrong with you?
amanwithanedge
DON’T DO PORN.
LumpyPillows
No indication this was related to doing porn.
barryaksarben
What a dumb comment. I know he should work hard, go to school and become an American success story? HAH! Yeah now what is there for young kids to do – start at McDonalds where you make minimum with no benefits and get crap from customers and bosses alike. The American dream is a joke. There is nothing wrong with porn as long as you stay away from some of the other stuff that comes with that industry. This country and its sick obsession with sex and its puritanism is a giant problem. DO you watch porn? Most men do! Yet so many of the very same men look down on performers so hardly a healthy attitude towards sex is it. If I were still a good looking kid Id do porn in a minute as it is can be very good money and a way to pay for school that wont leave you hundreds of thousands in debt
Joseph1971
It doesn’t matter what the cause of death was the bottom line is that he is gone…..
MissTerri
Oh well. NEXT!!!!
LumpyPillows
I’ve mentioned before I do not like you, right?
barryaksarben
With an attitude like that I bet you are and will always be single
Garath99
ignorant troll.
Gay Thomas
What a subhuman piece of garbage you are. I mean seriously, you are trash.
fredk
are you volunteering?
Cam
@MissTerri
First you came in with your screename of “TheAbsoluteTRUTH” to mock a death, and now under this screename.
We get it, you’re an anti-LGBTQ troll who is happy any time any of us die.
Thad
And more proof, just because you’ve done porn you haven’t stopped being a human being. Family and friends may still love you.
RIP Alex, and my sympathy to his family and friends.
Fahd
RIP: My heart goes out to his family, to lose someone so young must really hurt. And if you’re someone who has left a mean-spirited comment in this thread, my heart goes out to you, too – you must be in desperate need of any kindness.
AZ71
Sad. Wish they’d give more information out. Odd he was with his friend and not his bf on an “early” Sunday morning. And strange he moved to Phoenix when he works for Helix in San Diego. Maybe he was trying to escape a toxic life but it caught up with him. Sad. RIP. He was a cute guy.
barryaksarben
or maybe not
Joshua333
I wonder what Helix Studios did to him.
skeldare
Very sad and very young, even for a gay porn actor. A little strange though that his own boyfriend had to hear the news from a friend though.
BaltoSteve
I believe he was visiting that best friend in LA when it happened.
Brewster69
Although I have never heard of this guy, it is sad to hear of his death at such a young age. For all the haters who are quick to point their fingers at his profession as the root cause of his demise, you should watch the documentaries called “After Porn”. In these films are interviews with porn actors who have aged out of the industry. Interesting to hear how they started and what they’re doing now. One surprising piece of information is that one of the performers is a member of Mensa which dispells the general impression that the women in the industry are all dumb and couldn’t do anything else in life.
Scotty2Naughty
I recall he had health issues. Liver surgery back in 2019. Who knows if it’s related or not, but we shouldn’t automatically start blaming the porn industry or presume that it’s drug related.
alex1435
This is very sad to hear, rest in peace in the great beyond.
Tombear
If you want to be an old man and die in a warm bed don’t do porn!