A man at the center of a lawsuit against actor Kevin Spacey has died of yet-unknown causes.

According the Hollywood Reporter, a massage therapist who had accused Spacey of sexual assault, known only as “John Doe,” has died ahead of an expected trial on the case. Citing a notice filed by Spacey’s attorneys, a lawyer for the plaintiff reportedly informed the actor’s legal team that the plaintiff had “recently passed.”

The massage therapist had reportedly alleged that he went to a private residence in Malibu to give Spacey a massage in 2016; and that while there, Spacey forced the massage therapist to touch his genitals and tried to kiss him. According to Buzzfeed, the lawsuit filed in September 2018 also alleged that Spacey pressured the massage therapist into oral sex, reportedly saying, “Just let me give you a blow job.”

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the plaintiff and defendant had agreed last month to proceed with the case, despite Spacey’s objections about the plaintiff’s anonymity. The case was expected to involve a trial and discovery, according to the report. Further, the plaintiff’s lawyers reportedly introduced two additional alleged victims last month, who had expressed “concern for their safety and/or do not want their names revealed publicly in the media.”

Representatives for the deceased plaintiff, who was seeking unspecified damages, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Hollywood Reporter.

The plaintiff is among a dozen men who have accused the “House of Cards” actor of sexual misconduct. In July, a case stemming from allegations that Spacey had groped an 18-year-old busboy were dropped after the accuser stopped cooperating, according to the New York Post.

This is a developing story. CrimeOnline will provide further updates when more information is available.

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[Feature image: Kevin Spacey; Dennis Van Tine/STAR MAX/IPx 2019]