Christopher Bowman, a former U.S. ice skating champion, has passed away. He was just 40.

The man known as "Bowman the Showman" was found dead yesterday in a hotel room, as cops say drugs may have played a role in his passing.

Years ago, Bowman admitted that he had a $950/day cocaine habit and checked himself into the Betty Ford Center before the 1988 Olympics; he went on to finish fourth at the 1992 Olympics.

Drugs may have played a part in the recent death of Christopher Bowman.

Bowman - who was found by a friend on Thursday morning at a Budget Inn in North Hills, CA - retired from professional competition in 1992, competed briefly in the Ice Capades and even appeared on a pair of episodes of Little House on the Prairie.

His mother 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."