Joey Kovar dead at 29 (Photo : Twitter: @RealJoeyKovar)

MTV's "The Real World: Hollywood" star Joey Kovar was found dead Friday morning (August 17) in his hometown Chicago. He was 29.

TMZ reports that Kovar was found at his friend's house with blood coming out of his nose and ears. His death is reportedly linked to drug abuse. A female friend discovered his body and called the police. Authorities arrived on the scene where he was pronounced dead.

The reality star publicly struggled with drug and alcohol abuse. His addictions were highlighted during the 2008 "Real World" season where he was famously known for throwing fits, having outbursts, and going on drinking binges. He left the show mid-season to enter rehab only to return and leave again for fear of relapse. That same year on MTV's reunion special, Kovar claimed to be sober. However, he joined the cast of VH1's "Celebrity Rehab" in 2009 to seek help after he relapsed and began using cocaine and ecstasy. According to his bio on the show's website, "Joey had been abusing massive amounts of alcohol, cocaine, ecstasy, meth and, as part of his bodybuilding, steroids since he was a teenager and had come very close to death through an overdose." 

MTV released a statement saying, "MTV is deeply saddened to learn that Joey Kovar of 'The Real World: Hollywood' has passed away. We offer our sympathies to Joey's loved ones, friends and fans." 

The struggling reality star seemed to be in good spirits just days before his untimely death. He turned to a spiritual lifestyle; he "liked" a YouTube video on the Law of Attraction and mediation. He wrote inspirational tweets full of hope and optimism:

"Never neglect an opportunity for improvement." - August 10

Fall seven times, stand up eight. - August 16

Life is not about how fast you run or how high you climb but how well you bounce. - August 16

Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do. - August 16 , his final tweet.

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