Reality TV star James 'Princess' Cuda was found dead in a sober house on August 30. According to TMZ, the Wife Swap star had passed away due to cardiac arrest.
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According to Cuda's longtime friend, Marissa Zdazinsky, who posted a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, the reality star had been battling alcohol issues. She noted that both she and her husband had tried to help Cuda navigate those issues.
"The saddest moment of my life happened today; I learned he passed away," Zdazinsky wrote. "Princess battled a growing alcoholic addiction for the past 20 years that we were friends. He was one year sober last Sunday; my husband and I did everything humanly possible and necessary in the last few years to force him into getting sober."
The post then continued providing more detail into Cuda's medical situation, before stressing that he has been sober for a while.
"It wasn't easy, and Princess hid a secret of his declining and deteriorating condition with his organs. I am in contact with his family in LA ... it's important that everyone knows that HE WAS sober, and he found God in his end days. We will miss him so much. I don't know what to say or think."
Luzerne County Coroner Dion Fernandes has corroborated Zdazinsky's claim that Cuda was sober.
"Luzerne County Coroner Dion Fernandes tells TMZ ... Cuda -- best known as Princess on "Wife Swap" -- also tested negative for drugs and alcohol, and he died of natural causes," TMZ reports.
Cuda rose to popularity in 2013, when he played a gay nanny, traveling from Las Vegas to an Amish Farm.
There Are No Further Details Regarding the Death of James Cuda
Currently, there is no further information regarding James' death. Any medical information will only be released if cleared by family. Furthermore, there are no details regarding any upcoming funeral or celebration of life. That information is expected to remain private.
James was clearly loved. While he certainly battled through some issues, it's clear that he was making a concerted effort to get himself back on track. Hopefully, that's how people will remember him: driven and working toward a better life.
RIP.
