Joey Boots, a radio personality best known as one of Howard Stern's "Wack Packers," died on Friday, December 23, TMZ reported. He was 49.
According to the site, Boots was pronounced dead upon arrival when police responded to his apartment building in the Bronx, New York, at 9:45 p.m. The cause of death has yet to be determined. Police sources told Page Six Boots' body showed no signs of trauma and he likely died of natural causes.
"High Pitch" Erik Bleaman, a fellow member of Stern's controversial "Wack Pack," visited Boots' apartment building on Friday after he didn't show up for his scheduled radio gig, TMZ reported. After Boots failed to answer the door, Bleaman asked the building manager to do a wellness check and found his friend "sitting in a chair, cold to the touch and with no pulse," according to a Facebook post.
Boots became a fan favorite on The Howard Stern Show over the years, particularly after his catch phrase, "Baba Booey," gained notoriety. The SiriusXM radio show's staffer Memet Walker took to Instagram early Saturday, December 24, to pay his condolences to the late funnyman.
"Joey Boots wasn't a Wack Packer to me… he was a genuine friend," Walker captioned a photo with Boots. "I'm gonna miss you like hell, buddy."
Stern also took to Twitter to pay tribute, writing, "Tribute to the one and only Joey B in the new year. He will be missed. #BabaooeyHowardSternpenis."
Tribute to the one and only Joey B in the new year. He will be missed. #BabaooeyHowardSternpenis
— Howard Stern (@HowardStern) December 24, 2016
JD Harmeyer, The Howard Stern Show's head media producer, added on Twitter: "He was a true Stern Show soldier. R.I.P. @JoeyBoots."
