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R.I.P.
Skating Champ Bowman Found Dead in Motel

Posted Jan 11th 2008 9:34AM by TMZ Staff

A former U.S. figure skating champ, Christopher "The Showman" Bowman, 40, was found dead yesterday in a motel room -- and cops say the cause may be a drug overdose.
Chris Bowman
Bowman was found by a friend on Thursday morning at a Budget Inn in North Hills, Calif., according to cops. His mother, Joyce, told the Detroit Free Press, "He just passed away in his sleep. His friend told me that he was fine. He just went to bed and didn't wake up."

As a skater, Bowman was known for his showmanship. He skated in the Olympics in 1988 and 1992. He had previously been in treatment for drug problems.

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Tags: Christopher Bowman, ChristopherBowman

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46. OMG this is awful...I used to LOVE Christopher Bowman! He was a great skater...but I loved most that he was a renegade, and would do funny/unexpected things to tick off the stuffy judges...because he COULD...he was very good. It is so sad that his life took the turn it did. He was a wonderful man and deserves nothing but sympathy...that's what a compassionate HUMAN would feel. This is real life and in REAL life people don't stay the perfect "images" that Hollywood forces upon them...life happens, and for some, it doesn't go down like a fairy tale after you've been cast aside. He was bigtime, something that those making appalling comments on here will NEVER be.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEexe5aYLeI

Posted at 6:00PM on Jan 11th 2008 by LadyCarolineLamb

47. Last I read, he was getting his life back. Just goes to show how deadly
is the game of putting drugs in your body.

He was alread coming apart during the last stages of his competitive career.
One hoped against hope, that he would overcome.

My condolences to his loved ones!

Posted at 6:34PM on Jan 11th 2008 by observer

48. The Budget Inn in North Hills is a flea bitten dive used by hookers and druggies. Most of the inhabitants stay by the month, it's one of those places.

Posted at 9:17PM on Jan 11th 2008 by Biker 1957

49. This is only the second time I've read the comments on this site and I'm shocked. What is wrong with you people? Christopher Bowman was an Olympic medal champion. He had grace. He had fire. He had incredible talent. He also had a problem living up to expectations. He was a sensitive guy and jerks immediately assume you're gay. Put on weight and judging from all the skinnys who read this blog you're better off dead. I'm not surprised he self-medicated. Too bad he didn't have anybody he could talk to. In the late 80s early 90s he sure did have a lot of so-called friends. But I guess as long as you do your flips and smile smile smile people remember your name.

Posted at 1:47AM on Jan 12th 2008 by LJ

50. I am saddened by this. I loved his skating and will always remember him for that. Enuf said.

Posted at 11:08AM on Jan 12th 2008 by Betsy

51. this is sad... BUT: since the police didnt do anything about the drug-overdose of Anna & her son... WELL, you know... Jealous people will easily get rid of another, simply by a drug overdose... no-one seems to care anyway (the law dont give a da.) SAD SAD SAD SAD SAD!!!

Posted at 3:19AM on Jan 14th 2008 by Mrs. Soto

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