A drag queen who was convicted of raping a teenager has been found dead in an alleyway in Cardiff. 

Darren Moore, 39, a convicted sex offender, had been reported missing after disappearing on a night out with friends. He was last seen leaving Pulse at 5am on Sunday morning. 

Moore, formerly known as Darren Sewell, was convicted of four counts of rape of a child and spent three years in a Young Offenders Institution. He was subsequently banned from having contact with children, but breached his sentence while working as a gymnastics teacher in 2011. 

His sentence included a three-year sex offender’s treatment programme, a 24-month supervision order, a six-month curfew – complete with an electronic tag – and 300 hours unpaid work. In 2018, he caused controversy at a pride event when he made insensitive jokes about Jimmy Saville. 

A professional jewellery designer, Darren’s work had been featured on Ru Paul’s Drag Race. Moore, was also known as drag queen Crystal Couture and was popular within the LGBTQ+ scene across the UK. 

Darren’s husband, also named Darren Moore, has set up an online fundraiser for his funeral, which has raised over £5,000. In a statement, Mr Moore said: “Anyone who knew Darren would know how he was never understated in his appearance and costume. His larger-than-life character and charisma were something that you’ll never forget.”

The Golden Cross, Wales’s oldest LGBT+ venue, posted on Twitter: “We are deeply saddened to learn of Darren Moore’s passing. Many of you will know of his long-standing support of the Golden. He was the life and soul of the party and would always be entertaining the masses, usually accompanied with a round of shots.”

The venue is also holding a candlelight vigil for Moore, “At the request of Darren’s husband, Darren we will be meeting at 8:30pm outside the Capital Building at the end of Churchill Way and Queen Street. We will light candles and take a moment to remember Darren.”

South Wales Police said a 50-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and remains in custody.