It's with a heavy heart that Frontiers reports on the loss of one of our cover models, Quentin Elias. Elias was discovered to have passed away in his New York home earlier this week from a severe heart attack.

Elias was a Renaissance man, having worked as a model, actor, adult film star and singer in his short 33 years. At one point he was the lead singer of French boy band Alliage.

Elias—who was French and of Algerian descent—worked with many photographers (and fashion designers: Armani, Gaultier) through the years, including famed LGBT photog Michael Stokes, whose image graced the cover of our Jan. 23, 2013, "Escape from L.A." issue.

Stokes had the following to say on his personal Facebook page:

It makes me very sad to announce that one of my models, Quentin Elias, was found dead in his NY apartment yesterday. He was found on his couch, apparently died of a massive heart attack. Yesterday I started getting messages and phone calls asking me to verify if it were true, but I had no idea. I confirmed it last night. Q knew he had an issue with his heart. He once told me he would not live to be old, so when people started asking me if it were true, I told them, "I don't know," but I did know. R.I.P. Quentin