The openly gay founder of a $300 million+ skin care company has died after falling from a condominium building near downtown Toronto.
40-year-old Brandon Truaxe was the founder of the hugely successful skin care company Deciem. According to an internal email sent from Deciem’s chief executive Nicola Kilner, he died over the weekend.
“I can’t believe I am typing these words,” the email read. “Brandon has passed away over the weekend. Heartbroken doesn’t come close to how I, and how I know many of you will be feeling.”
According to WWD:
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A spokeswoman for the Toronto Police said that the department responded to a call at 1:30 p.m. Sunday about a “jumper” at the intersection of Mill Street and Parliament Street, where a body was found. The spokeswoman said she was not able to confirm a name because the incident was not considered suspicious. Truaxe had given out his home address, 33 Mill St., on Instagram over the weekend.
On Saturday evening, Truaxe posted an incoherent and unsettling video to his Instagram page where he gave out his home address.
Just a few hours later, he was dead. Foul play is not suspected.
On Monday, Deciem posted a statement on its official Instagram account that read:
Brandon, our founder and friend. You touched our hearts, inspired our minds and made us believe that anything is possible. Thank you for every laugh, every learning and every moment of your genius. Whilst we can’t imagine a world without you, we promise to take care of each other and will work hard to continue your vision. May you finally be at peace. Love, (forever) your Deciem.
According to people close to Truaxe, his behavior had become increasingly erratic and unpredictable in recent months.
He would often post major business announcements to Instagram, CC reporters on sensitive internal company emails, and, last October, he abruptly shut down operations after claiming the company was guilty of financial crimes, which ultimately resulted in him being ousted from his job.
WWD reports:
That move led to Lauder seeking injunctive relief in Canada, which removed Truaxe from his post at the business and locked him out of Deciem’s Instagram account. Court papers from the proceeding said that on May 9, Truaxe was detained by authorities in the U.K. and taken to a psychiatric hospital in London for several days. He later stayed for three days at another psychiatric facility in Canada, according to the documents.
Truaxe continued to post on his own social media though — chronicling e-mails with lawyers, the news, his hotel stays and, most recently, his mezcal consumption, on his personal account, with fans frequently commenting with support and concern.
Vince
I’ll bet everyone in charge of that company is breathing a sigh of relief.
QueerTruth
Wow. That’s a cruel comment for those he left behind.
Perhaps showing respect for the dead in a moment of tragedy would be more fitting.
mvcy89
You should be ashamed of yourself Vince. People with mental health issues are unfairly judged. If he had died from cancer you wouldn’t be saying the same. Many people in our community suffer from mental health issues!
TheGregoryProject
While your statement may ring true, your timing, lack of empathy/respect makes you sound like a complete asshat. Grow up.
Andy
That really is a cruel thing to post. The poor guy was obviously ill and its a tragedy. There are people who loved him dearly and are not breathing a sigh of relieve. Insensitive to say the least.
Kangol
I’d never heard of him, but I’m sorry to hear about his death. From the news accounts and that Instagram video, in which he was addressing Trump (???), it sounds like he was suffering from a mental health crisis. I wonder if anyone suggested he receive mental health care or if he was in treatment.
baal61
He was obviously extremely mentally diseased’ I will never use the word ” Mentally ill.” Stigma.
MarathonBoy
Male effeminacy and mental instability go hand in hand.
Kangol
As do effemophobia.
QueerTruth
LMAO. That makes no sense whatsoever. If that were true than effeminacy would rule the world or at least the prisons. But of course that’s not true so neither is your comment.
FagSlayingBusiness
Not quite. Brandin died as he was disturbed not by mental illness but by homophobic military action. It’s not a news that gays are being driven to suicide by homophobic organization within USA. Homophobes unite just like Christians do and fight gays with radio frequency communication. FSB is an organization that makes US aware of widespread homophobia and inhumane torture practiced daily on a global scale.
HowardGyUK
Oh dear! Repressed sexuality and fear of the consequences of honesty about one’s sexual orientation in a hostile society can have a significant impact on one’s mental health. I came out 16 years ago in the UK and had few problems professionally though my parents took a while to get used to it and I had to change churches. My sons lived with me and my partner till they were college age and experienced few issues at school. But not everyone has that experience. I also work with a LOT of straight people with mental health issues. I wouldn’t want anyone to be stigmatised for their mental health…. would you? … really? And let’s face it, I may be gay but effeminacy is something quite different. I know quite a lot of quite effeminate straight men. Is that a bad thing? Your comment unfortunately displays so many underlying prejudices, I think you need to take a step back and reflect on yourself for a while
david21158
It’s just sad. Article says he was openly gay so not sure how repressed sexuality comes into it. He appeared to be a man going through a mental health crisis. What’s truly disappointing is even after a psychiatric hold in London his disease proved fatal.