Famed Russian ballet dancer Vladimir Shklyarov, 39, dies in fall from balcony in Saint Petersburg

Police in Russia are investigating after renowned Russian ballet dancer Vladimir Shklyarov reportedly fell to his death over the weekend. He was 39.

Shklyarov was a star dancer at the Mariinsky, the historic opera and ballet venue in Russia's imperial capital of Saint Petersburg. His funeral will be held on Thursday, the Mariinsky Theatre announced.

Citing theater representatives, Russian media reported that he fell from a fifth-floor balcony on Saturday after taking painkillers ahead of back surgery that had been scheduled for Monday.