Former U.S. men’s figure skating champion Christopher Bowman, known as “Bowman the Showman’’ for his flamboyant personality on the ice and his oft-troubled life off it, died Thursday of a possible drug overdose in North Hills, Calif. He was 40.

Lt. Fred Corral, watch commander for Los Angeles County Coroner’s Investigation Division, said Bowman – who lived in the Detroit area from 1995 until last February -- was found dead in his motel room at the Budget Inn at 12:06 p.m. It is not known if his death was accidental or suicide, Corral said. An autopsy is planned for today.