Justin Bieber Look-Alike And ‘Botched’ Star Tobias Strebel Found Dead At 35
Justin Bieber look-alike and Botched star Tobias Strebel has been found dead.
The 35-year-old man, best known for his appearance on the television series Botched and for spending more than 100,000 to look like the young pop singer, was found dead at a Motel 6 in North Hills, California, near San Fernando Valley on Monday, August 21, just a few days after he was reported missing. Gossip site TMZ was the first to report the news.
Tobias Strebel, the guy who spent $100,000 to be a Justin Bieber look-alike, was found dead: http://t.co/vgc2wQMNUn pic.twitter.com/X67lcMmCV2
— Complex Style (@ComplexStyle) August 27, 2015
Tobias Strebel, who went by the name Toby Sheldon, was reported missing by his family on Friday, August 18, and it was believed that his disappearance was linked to his recent break-up with his boyfriend. Police discovered his body in the motel room earlier this week, along with drugs. However, the cause of his death has yet to be revealed.
‘Botched’ Star & Justin Bieber Lookalike Tobias Strebel Found Dead: Report http://t.co/5QVN2BOw65 #popmuse — Pop Muse (@Pop_Muse) August 27, 2015
Along with appearing in the 2014 episode of E!’s Botched, he also appeared in TLC’s My Strange Addiction, where he expressed his love for the “Baby” singer, who he described as “extraordinarily beautiful.” The Justin Bieber look-alike was only in the process of pursing a music career.
“What brought me to Bieber was the whole package: the full cheeks, the full temples, the bright open eyes, the full luscious lips and spacial framing,” he said. “[He’s] just extraordinarily beautiful.”
Tobias Strebel, #Botched star and Justin Bieber look-a-like, was found dead at age 35 http://t.co/5eHgOcGsIr pic.twitter.com/fLkV6VoL3A
— Variety (@Variety) August 27, 2015
Tobias was last seen on August 18 in West Hollywood, California, and his friends say it was very out of character for him to just disappear, ABC 7 reported.
Justin Bieber look-alike Tobias Strebel dead – Hindustan Times http://t.co/s9vzhU56sN pic.twitter.com/Wdp2nftF99 — People News (@peopleNewz) August 27, 2015
“This is very unusual for him to be missing,” Mel Espinoza, an acquaintance of Strebel said. “He hasn’t done any, not shown up for no reason, no note or anything.”
Toby’s fans took to social media, specifically Twitter, to mourn his death.
Sending prayers to Toby Sheldon (Tobias Strebel), 1 of the sweetest guys I’ve worked with. Hit up LAPD if you know where he is #justinbieber
— Adam Barta (@Adam_Barta) August 24, 2015
RIP #tobiasstrebel #LoveYou @justinbieber
— Follow me Justin PLZ (@_lovee_06) August 27, 2015
#RIP Tobias Strebel.
— Follow Me Justin (@Mika_0399) August 27, 2015
[Photo via video screenshot]