Anthony Riley, a contestant on the eighth and most recent season of NBC’s The Voice, was found dead on Friday. The 28-year-old Philadelphia resident, who gained prominence when he earned one of the fastest acceptances in the singing competition’s history, had apparently been dead since Tuesday. The cause of death appears to be suicide.
Riley, who utilized his powerful singing voice in his career as a street performer, abruptly left the program in the middle of the competition, citing personal reasons. It was later revealed that he had entered a two-week substance abuse program, and in March said he had no plans to audition again for the show.
Riley earned his place on the show with a stunningly energetic rendition of James Brown’s “I Got You (I Feel Good),” viewable below. Voice judge Pharrell Williams dubbed the performance “electric.”