Edward Sotomayor, 34, was a caring, energetic man known for wearing a silly top hat on cruises, according to David Sotomayor, who said the two discovered they were cousins after meeting at Orlando's annual Gay Days festival around a decade ago.
Edward worked for a company that held gay cruises and often traveled to promote the company's events, said David Sotomayor.
"He was just always part of the fun," David Sotomayor said.
David Sotomayor is a drag queen who appeared on a season of the reality show "RuPaul's Drag Race" using the name "Jade."
The two texted regularly and kept in touch via Facebook messages, last seeing each other this year at a filming of the reality show. They last exchanged messages late last week.
"You never think that's going to be the last time you speak to him," Sotomayor said. "It's just heartbreaking to know it just can happen anytime."