Mental health, drug addiction and loving a trans woman were some of the battles Maurice “Reese” Willoughby faced in his short life, which he ended. 

Since the 20-year-old’s death on August 20, there’s been an outpouring of support for him, his trans girlfriend, Faith Palmer, and the entire LGBTQ+ community.

“I am actually in tears learning of this. I am so sorry Reese. You shouldn’t have ever even had to defend or explain your love,” @isabellacapri tweeted Monday along with the bullying video. “This world is so sick. #ripreese”

“Are we ever going to talk about the homophobia and transphobia in the black community? #ripreese,” Shaniqua S. Biles, who goes by @BMiisssy on Twitter, wrote.

However, it was reported that Reese did not kill himself due to the bullying and harassment, but instead died of a drug overdose after telling his girlfriend, Faith, that he was going to kill her and himself, prompting her to flee to safety.

“Faith went on Instagram Live to clarify that Reese’s suicide occurred through an overdose after she left him,” a statement released by the Marsha P. Johnson institute said,“A heavy drug user, Reese threatened to take his life and Faith’s. She ran away to safety, and it was then that he committed suicide.”

“This is a time to mourn for a lost life and support Faith during this difficult time in her life,” they added. “She is a survivor of abuse and as stated on her Instagram page, a woman who lost her lover. Black women are always mourning and caring for the world while trying to keep ourselves alive. Our love and support to Faith.”