‘Zombie Boy’ Rico Genest Found Dead!

RIP ZOMBIE BOY Those of us who knew and worked with Rico mourn the loss of a sweet and talented young man who literally wore his pain and suffering on…

RIP ZOMBIE BOY

Those of us who knew and worked with Rico mourn the loss of a sweet and talented young man who literally wore his pain and suffering on the outside for all the world to see. It has unfortunately become apparent that expressing his torment through his body art was not enough to set him free and Wednesday, August 1st Rico Genest, better known as Zombie Boy was found dead of an apparent suicide in his Montreal home. Rico would have turned next week.

Photo via JoeyL

Genest was a fixture on Montreal’s punk scene as a kid and began getting tattooed at 19-years-old, mostly from local artist Frank Lewis. He eventually covered his entire body and face with the ghoulish black-and-grey work and his signature skull face and exposed brain scalp.

Photo via JoeyL

Rico worked with Gaga and Formichetti, he also modelled for Jay-Z’s fashion label Rocawear and appeared in the Keanu Reeves samurai film 47 Ronin. Acclaimed British sculptor Marc Quinn created a sculpture of Genest in 2011.

Photo via JoeyL

Genest explained his transformation to Wonderland magazine in 2012: “The zombie concept is also often used as a metaphor for runaway consumerism. Rebelling from this notion is the very meaning of punk. The origins of the zombie creature came about from stories of people being buried alive in times of plagues and such crises; that would come out the other side ‘transformed’. Zombies, to many, represent a pervasive xenophobia. As in my life, I was often out-casted, hated or misunderstood.”

All of us here at Inked are pretty busted up over Rico’s passing and all we can say is if you or someone you know is having problems with depression or any mental health issues please reach out to suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Photo via JoeyL

There has been an outpouring of grief on social media from fans and celebrities zb has worked with over the years, including a series of heartfelt messages from Lady Gaga. Rico appeared in Gaga’s Born This Way video in 2011 and the singer says the loss is “beyond devastating.”

Rico’s management posted this on his Facebook page

“Rico was loved by all those who had the chance to meet him and know him.

“We received the unfortunate news at the beginning of the afternoon and members of the team have come to support his family and relatives in this dark and difficult moment.

“We want to present our deepest condolences… Thank you zb for these beautiful moments in your company and for your radiant smile.”