Joshua Allen death ruled suicide; drugs found

Joshua Allen, SYTYCD Winner, Autopsy Reveals Drugs, Alcohol

By Jonathan Miller • March 21, 2026

Autopsy: Dancer Joshua Allen, 36, had ethanol, cocaine and ketamine in his system; his late Sept. 2025 death in Texas was ruled a suicide.

Joshua Allen, the dancer who rose to national prominence after winning the fourth season of So You Think You Can Dance, has died. He was 36. According to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office, an autopsy found ethanol (alcohol), cocaine and ketamine in his system. Allen passed away in a Texas hospital in late September 2025; his death has been officially ruled a suicide.

Autopsy findings and circumstances

The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office reported that Allen tested positive for ethanol, cocaine and ketamine. The autopsy also listed multiple injuries observed at the time of his death. Officials noted Allen was wearing a black ankle monitor when he was observed by the medical examiner; the available reporting does not specify why he was wearing the device.

Earlier reporting confirmed Allen had been struck by a train and later died at a Texas hospital in late September 2025. The medical examiner has ruled his death a suicide. These findings were reported to and confirmed by the outlet that first broke the story.

Career, legal history and family tributes

Allen gained national attention in 2008 when he won the fourth season of So You Think You Can Dance; fellow dancer Stephen “tWitch” Boss finished second that season. The dancer later faced legal trouble, including a domestic violence charge in 2016, according to prior reporting.

Family and friends who spoke following his death recalled final conversations with Allen. One family member told reporters, “One of the last things he said was to keep God first at all times. You have to be real with yourself before you can be real with anybody else.” He was 36.