Bachelor Nation Contestants Who Have Sadly Passed Away
The Bachelor made its television debut in 2002, establishing itself as one of reality TV's most popular and enduring hits. Spawning spinoffs including The Bachelorette, Bachelor in Paradise, and Bachelor Winter Games, the show has had a lot of love-seeking people pass through its mansion doors over the years. While not everyone winds up happily ever after when their seasons conclude, a few have found love. Far more, however, have managed to extend their time in the spotlight — some turn up in Paradise, a number of them (including Hannah Brown, Nick VIall, and OG Bachelorette Trista Sutter) have tripped the light fantastic on Dancing With the Stars, while others have parlayed the experience into new gigs — such as former Bachelorette star Jillian Harris, who went on to host HGTV's Love It or List It Too.
Yet the vast majority of Bachelor Nation alums simply resume their lives. Sadly, not all of them are still with us. Every so often comes the sad news that a former contestant has passed away, and fans are left to mourn their untimely deaths.
Let's take a moment to pay tribute to these former Bachelor and Bachelorette contestants who were taken far too soon.
Bachelor franchise contestant Tyler Gwodz's passing was reportedly the result of an overdose
Tyler Gwodz was one of the suitors attempting to win Hannah Brown's heart in the 15th season of The Bachelorette. After he and Brown went on a one-on-one date, Gwodz mysteriously vanished from the show. According to Us Weekly's recap of that episode, no mention was made of his sudden absence, other than Brown telling the men on a group date that Gwodz "had to leave." Producers never addressed the reason behind his abrupt exit, although some disturbing rumors did emerge.
Things took a tragic turn on Jan. 13, 2020, as reported by The Palm Beach Post, when a 911 operator in Palm Beach County received a call from a frantic woman. "I think my friend overdosed and he won't wake up!" she told the operator, who asked what the friend had taken (via Miami Herald). "Heroin. I don't know," the woman responded. Gwodz, who was apparently the man in trouble, was reportedly taken to a nearby hospital. Nine days later, the Bachelor franchise contestant was dead at age 29, the victim of a suspected drug overdose.
"We are heartbroken to hear the tragic news of Tyler's passing today," producers of The Bachelorette said in a statement. "Our thoughts are with the Gwozdz family and his friends."
Bachelor contestant Christy Caserta's passing was completely unexpected
Christy Caserta was cast in the 15th season of The Bachelor, which aired in 2011. Vying for the affection of Brad Womack, Caserta didn't have the chance to make much of an impression on either Womack or viewers when she was sent home in the first episode without receiving a single rose.
Several years later, the Bachelor contestant was attending a class in Sunrise, Fla. when tragedy struck. According to a report from TMZ, Caserta was in class in October 2018, when she suddenly fell forward, suffering what appeared to be a seizure. Her classmates immediately called 911. When first responders arrived on the scene, she had gone into cardiac arrest. After she was taken to a hospital, she was pronounced dead at age 38. TMZ later obtained a copy of the autopsy report, which revealed the cause of death was cardiomegaly (an enlarged heart) and hyperthyroidism.
"I'm absolutely heartbroken about Cristy," Caserta's fellow Bachelor contestant Ashley Spivey told Us Weekly. "She was one of the kindest people I met on the first night of the show and she continued to be an amazing friend. She was as smart and funny as she was beautiful. She will be deeply missed in this world."
Bachelor franchise contestant Michael Nance reportedly relapsed
Michael Nance unsuccessfully attempted to woo Emily Maynard on the eighth season of The Bachelorette. As People recalled, he spoke on the show about his job as a rehab counselor, using his own past battles with addiction to help others. In late May 2017, Nance was found unresponsive and was rushed to a hospital in Austin, Texas, where he was pronounced dead.
Several months later, the coroner's report was released, containing some sad news. The Bachelor franchise contestant had apparently relapsed, his death the result of an overdose after taking cocaine, heroin, and prescription painkillers Clonazepam and Gabapentin.
Following Nance's death at age 31, Maynard paid tribute via Twitter. "So sad waking up to the news about Michael Nance. Such a kind heart with so much talent. Sending prayers and love to his family and friends," she wrote. Meanwhile, a source on The Bachelorette who had maintained contact with Nance shared some remembrances with People. "He was the type of guy who felt things very deeply," said the source. "Such a sensitive guy. You've got to remember that I met him when he was in his mid-20s, so he was pretty directionless. I don't know that being on TV gave him any further direction. But he had such a good aura."
Bachelor franchise contestant Eric Hill's passing was a major shock
Viewers of The Bachelorette got to know contestant Eric Hill as he romanced Andi Dorfman during the show's tenth season. Hill had already been sent home when, toward the end of the season, host Chris Harrison made a somber announcement on the show. "I know this is a little unorthodox," Harrison told Dorfman and the remaining men, as reported by CNN. "You all know Eric Hill. He, a couple of days ago, was in Utah paragliding and was in a serious accident. We knew he was hurt bad, but we just didn't know how bad. We learned this morning that he passed away."
While Hill wasn't the first Bachelor Nation alum to pass away, the Bachelor franchise contestant was the first to do so while his season was still airing. Harrison's acknowledgment of Hill, in fact, marked a sad milestone for the Bachelor franchise. "It's very rare that we'll have something like that," Harrison told Entertainment Weekly . "In fact, it's the first time in the 12 years we've been doing the show where we've had this sort of situation."
Bachelor contestant Erin Storm was involved in a fatal accident
In March 2016, CBS Los Angeles was among the outlets to report on a fatal crash of a single-seat ultralight airplane. According to the reports, the plane had crashed into a tree. Rescue teams quickly arrived on the scene, yet the pilot — an unidentified woman —was in full cardiac arrest when she was pulled from the fiery wreckage. The pilot was rushed to a hospital and pronounced dead.
Subsequent reports, including one from Entertainment Weekly, identified the pilot as Erin Storm, known to Bachelor fans as one of the women who romanced Matt Grant in the show's 12th season. At the time of her death, Storm was 41.
One of the Bachelor contestant's friends, Joshua Daniel, paid tribute in a heartfelt Facebook post. "I'm super sad to say that my friend Erin Storm passed away yesterday in a light aircraft accident. Erin was a beautiful person inside and out, and that anyone who knew her would tell you the same. She was always a very nice, caring person who beat to her own drum. She was loved by many people and will be dearly missed," wrote Daniel, adding, "God speed Erin, the world has just experienced a great loss."
Bachelor contestant Gia Allemand reportedly took her life after a heartbreaking moment
Shockwaves reverberated throughout Bachelor Nation in 2013 when Gia Allemand took her own life at age 29. Eliminated partway through the 14th season, as reported by E! News, Allemand later appeared on the show's first spinoff, Bachelor Pad.
ABC News reported that the Bachelor contestant hanged herself in her New Orleans apartment, and disturbing details of her death later emerged. According to the police report, which was obtained by ABC News, hours before Allemand took her own life, she had a blowout with boyfriend Ryan Anderson, an NBA basketball player. The report indicated that the fight began "over her suspicions of he having been unfaithful to her." When Anderson dropped her off at her apartment, the police report stated, he told her, "I don't love you anymore."
Allemand's passing was commemorated on the show, with a special tribute aired during a countdown special prior to the Season 18 premiere of The Bachelor. Among those who spoke about Allemand in the tribute was her mother, Donna Micheletti, reported ABC News. "Gia took her own life and it is heart wrenching and I wouldn't want to see any other parent go through this," said Micheletti.
Bachelor franchise contestant Julien Hug suffered from "extreme depression"
Bachelorette suitor Julien Hug took his own life under tragic circumstances. According to LA Weekly, Hug — who had appeared on the show's fifth season, featuring Jillian Harris — was found dead in a remote area in a California desert. He was 35 years old.
Hug's suicide note was read during his memorial service, as reported by Radar Online, and it was beyond heartbreaking. "I'm sorry to have to do this to you," Hug reportedly wrote, addressing his parents. "I love you both tremendously. You two are the best parents." He continued, "I've suffered from severe depression for years. I feel awful and don't know how to cope. If life's not enjoyable, why stick around?"
Hug's parents shared their grief in an interview with a local newscast, refuting "erroneous" claims that emerged alleging that their son's experience on The Bachelorette and his rejection by Harris somehow deepened his depression and led to his death. "I guarantee you that had nothing to do with that," the Bachelor franchise contestant's father insisted.
Bachelor contestant Lex McAllister reportedly took her own life
Eliminated in the first episode of Jake Pavelka's "On the WIngs of Love" season of The Bachelor in 2010, Bachelor contestant Lex McAllister's journey on the show was brief. In February 2016, as reported by E! News, police in Columbus, Ohio responded to a 911 call from a person claiming to have received a text from McAllister, stating she wanted to take her own life. That person then went to check on her, seeing empty prescription medication bottles. When police arrived, McAllister was in "stable condition" but had taken "a lot of pills."
McAllister was placed on life support, but was eventually taken off as her condition deteriorated. She was 31 when she passed away.
"I am honestly in shock that another beautiful soul would take their life," Tenley Molzahn, runner-up in McAllister's season, told E! News. "She was only on our first episode but she seemed like such a vibrant soul. This is just shocking news no matter how well you know someone." The season's winner, Vienna Girardi, also paid tribute. "I would like to express my sincere condolences," she said. "My heart goes out to Lex's family during this difficult time. I remember her being such a positive young lady who could light up any room."