Extreme Makeover: Home Edition star Eduardo Xol, who was known for his work as a landscaping designer on the popular ABC reality series, has died a week after reportedly being stabbed. He was 58 years old.
TMZ reports that Xol passed away on Thursday, Sept. 19 while being treated at at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, where he also resided. Police had responded to a call at Xol's apartment days earlier on Sept. 10, and when they arrived found him with "significant injuries." He was transported to a local hospital reportedly in "serious but stable condition," but there is no word on the cause of death.
Police have since apprehended a suspect, Richard Joseph Gonzales, 34, of Cathedral City, CA, on suspicion of attempted murder. However, authorities have reportedly requested for murder charges to be brought against Gonzales, who is being held without bail.
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Xol's family have released a statement in the wake of his death, writing that they are heartbroken at the tragic loss.
"As his family, we know that his kindness has touched the lives of so many," the statement read. "We ask for that kindness returned now allowing our privacy to be respected as we process our grief. In lieu of flowers we ask that donations be made in Eduardo’s name to the Lupus Foundation of America as he spent so much of his life in the service of others."
In addition to starring on seasons two through eight of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition , Xol also appeared in several worldwide-syndicated telenovelas early into his career, including Acapulco, cuerpo y alma , Sentimientos Ajenos , and La Jaula de Oro ; as well as producing music and videos.
In the wake of his passing, Xol's friend, Richard Pérez-Feria, also remembered him in a touching Instagram tribute .
"It’s nearly incomprehensible that I’m writing this post as a goodbye to someone who has been so present, so important in my life," Pérez-Feria captioned a gallery of photos of the pair throughout the years, writing that he "went numb" upon learning that Xol has passed.
"It was impossible to process that information as it didn’t square with my thousands of experiences with him," he continued. "Please don’t ask me how or why at this point…what matters most is who he was: A talented, beautiful, passionate friend, brother, son and partner. The millions of laughs, hopes and secrets we shared remain at the fore of my thoughts."
"I want to honor my dear friend and celebrate his life as one that mattered to so many. He certainly mattered to me. Sending healing love at this horrific time to his circle of friends and family who loved him so," Pérez-Feria concluded.
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