According to close friends, Darius Campbell Danesh went "off-grid" shortly before his tragic death. Pals said they had been struggling to contact the Pop Idol star as he had not been answering their texts in the days leading to his passing on August 11.
The 41-year-old was found unresponsive in an apartment which housed mainly hospital outpatients in Rochester, Minnesota, reports the Mirror. An investigation into the cause of Darius' death is still pending, but now friends have said they struggled to contact the Scot shortly before he died.
A source said: "Someone got in touch with me to say, 'Can you try to contact Darius? He's gone off-grid and I'm worried.'"
The friend explained how the behaviour was "unusual" for the singer-turned-actor, who took almost two weeks to respond to the text message.
"When he did get back, the reply was to say 'thanks for getting in touch, love you and apologies for the tardy response'. It was very odd," they told The Sun.
They continued: "It was like I was speaking to a stranger. I spoke to him afterwards but he seemed like he may have been a bit lost."
The friend also claimed Darius explained that he was taking some time out to focus on himself. The star's family could now face an agonising two-month wait before discovering the cause of his death.
Darius was found unresponsive last week and a family statement announced his death on Tuesday. Local police in the area said there were "no signs of intent or suspicious circumstances", adding that they are awaiting toxicology results - but they could take up to two months.
A police spokesman said: "The investigation into the cause of his death is still pending. There is no known threat to the public."
Fans of the actor pointed out on Wednesday that the area in which he lived was an odd choice.
Darius had been staying at The Berkman apartments, billed as Rochester’s premiere address for “elegant short-term and long-term furnished suites and residential living”. Most tenants who live at the block of flats work or are being treated at the Mayo Clinic nearby.
The Mayo Clinic is rated among the top hospitals in the world, and has treated celebrities, including Muhammad Ali, Johnny Cash, and former US president Ronald Reagan.
The moment Darius was found dead was revealed yesterday in a police dispatch call obtained by The Sun. It shows a call was placed at 11.53am when a 'medical' team was requested for a 'possible deceased' person.
Following the sad news of the star's death, the showbiz world sent its condolences.
Among those paying tribute was music mogul Simon Cowell, who said: “He was charismatic, funny and just a great person to be with. His passing, for someone so young, is an absolute tragedy and my heart goes out to his family and friends."
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here .
