‘Ink Master?’ Champ Scott Marshall Found Dead, Police Investigate Cause

Ink Master Season 4 champion, 41-year-old Scott Marshall, has been found dead in his Chicago hotel room, where he went following a phone call to wife, Johanna Marshall. The Ink Master champion and owner of the Chicago-based Roselle Tattoo Co. told Ms. Marshall that he wasn’t feeling well enough to make the drive home and that he felt it was best to get a room for the night.

Scott Marshall Died In His Sleep

Variety reports that Scott Marshall was found dead by police officers and that a preliminary autopsy was performed with the initial cause of death to be heart failure. While this was the cause of death listed at the time police called to inform Ms. Marshall of her husband’s passing, the Ink Master champion’s death still remains under investigation.

The Ink Master competitor had checked into the hotel early in the weekend and Johanna became worried when Scott failed to answer her phone calls or return any of the messages she had left for him later the next day.

“Spike and entire Ink Master family are stunned and saddened by the news of Scott’s passing,” reads a statement issued by Spike TV. “He was a great competitor and talented artist. Our deepest condolences go out to the Marshall family and friends.”

Rest In Peace, Scott Marshall. Our condolences to his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/65pAsTTMj6

— Ink Master (@SpikeInkMaster) October 27, 2015

Adding to the growing list of condolences directed at the Marshall family, Original Media, which produces Ink Master for Spike TV, also released a statement, regarding the passing of Scott Marshall. In part, Original Media offered their deepest condolences to Scott’s family and added that Marshall was a “vibrant, creative spirit and talent” who would be missed by all members of the Ink Master team.

Ink Master Loses A Talented Son

Ink Master, hosted by Jane’s Addiction frontman Dave Navarro and judged by Chris Nunez and Oliver Peck, brings 10 of the country’s most talented tattoo artists each season to compete for the title of Ink Master, as well as a cash prize of $100,000.

Scott Marshall competed in Season 4 of Ink Master, which premiered in February of 2014 and ended with a finale just a few short months later that saw Marshall walk away as the winning artist. Mr. Marshall was also featured in Inked magazine, following his Ink Master win.

Rocker and Ink Master host Navarro also offered his condolences to Scott’s family, speaking from his heart, as he shared his sentiments with his Twitter followers.

#InkMaster @SpikeInkMaster I am very sad to report that Inkmaster and friend Scott Marshall has passed away. My condolences to his family.

— Dave Navarro (@DaveNavarro) October 27, 2015

“#InkMaster @SpikeInkMaster I am very sad to report that Inkmaster and friend Scott Marshall has passed away,” the Ink Master host tweeted on Tuesday, according to Us Weekly. “My condolences to his family.”

While Scott’s death has been ruled natural causes related to heart issues, the fact that police are still investigating the matter suggests that there may be more to the Ink Master champion’s death than has been made public. Adding to suspicion that there may be more to Marshall’s death than has been publicly released is the point that there has been no mention of a history of heart problems as of this time.

While the Ink Master star’s passing continues to be a source of interest to police investigators, Johanna and the three young children she shared with Scott will be coping with his death privately. There has yet to be any public statement on behalf of the Marshall family, though Johanna and her children are certainly still in shock over Scott’s passing. Funeral arrangements and public statements will be made public at the discretion of the Marshall family.

The story is still developing.

Ink Master airs Tuesdays on Spike TV.

[Featured image courtesy of Spike TV/Ink Master]