Bachelor Nation stars don’t always get happy endings.
A number of people who appeared on “The Bachelor” franchise have died over the years.
ABC’s reality television franchise began with “The Bachelor” in 2002 and has spawned numerous spin-offs, including “The Bachelorette,” “Bachelor in Paradise,” “The Golden Bachelor,” “The Golden Bachelorette,” “Bachelor Pad” and “The Bachelor Winter Games.”
During all these shows, ten former candidates died tragically.
Here Are All The Bachelor Nation Stars Who Have Died.
Julien Hug
Julien Hug was a contestant on Jillian Harris’ season of “The Bachelorette” in 2009. He was eliminated in week 2.
Hug died at the age of 35 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on November 3, 2010. He was found dead in a secluded area near a highway in Riverside County, California.
The reality TV star left behind a suicide note explaining her battle with depression, which was read aloud at her funeral.
Gia German
Gia Allemand appeared on Jake Pavelka’s season of “The Bachelor” in 2010. She was also on seasons 1 and 2 of “Bachelor Pad” in 2010 and 2011.
Allemand committed suicide at the age of 29 on August 14, 2013. Her life support was disconnected two days later.
Eric Hill
Eric Hill appeared on Andi Dorfman’s season of “The Bachelorette” in 2014. He went home in week 4.
The 31-year-old died in an accident in April 2014, before the season aired. He was paragliding in Utah when his parachute collapsed, leaving him in a coma before he died.
In a statement, the producers of “Bachelorette” said: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of our friend, Eric Hill. Eric inspired us every day with his passion, courage and spirit of adventure, and we are so grateful. On behalf of our cast, crew and producers, we send our love, thoughts and prayers to Eric’s family.”
Lex McAllister
Alexa “Lex” McAllister was also on Pavelka’s season of “The Bachelor,” where she was sent home in Week 1.
At the age of 31, McAllister died of an intentional drug overdose on February 16, 2016.
She was initially stable when taken to hospital, but her condition quickly deteriorated and her devastated family made the painful decision to take her off life support.
Erin Storm
Erin Storm was on Matt Grant’s season of “The Bachelor” in 2008. She was eliminated in week 3.
In March 2016, Storm died at the age of 41 in a plane crash.
The single-engine plane she was piloting crashed after taking off from Hawthorne Municipal Airport near Los Angeles. Storm was reportedly in cardiac arrest when emergency personnel arrived and was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Michael Nance
Michael Nance competed on Emily Maynard’s season of “The Bachelorette” in 2012. He was eliminated in week 4.
Nance was 31 when he died on May 29, 2017. He died of “multiple drug intoxication” and his death was ruled accidental.
Christy Caserta
Christy Caserta was eliminated in the first week of Brad Womack’s season of “The Bachelor” in 2011.
Caserta died at the age of 38 in October 2018. It was later revealed that she died from an enlarged heart and an overactive thyroid, which caused her to have a seizure.
Tyler Gwozdz
Tyler Gwozdz was on Hannah Brown’s season of “The Bachelorette” in 2019. During week 3, he left the show for unknown reasons.
Gwozdz died on January 22, 2020 at the age of 29. He died of opioid (heroin) poisoning and the cause of death was ruled an accident.
Clint Arlis
Clint Arlis was a contestant on Kaitlyn Bristowe’s season of “The Bachelorette” in 2015. He was eliminated in week 3.
Arlis died in January 2022 at the age of 34. The coroner’s office determined his cause of death to be suicide. He reportedly had mental health issues and believed people were watching him.
Hailey Merkt
Hailey Merkt was on Nick Viall’s season of “The Bachelor” in 2017. She was eliminated in week 2.
Merkt lost her battle with leukemia on July 26, 2024. She was 31 years old.
“Hailey faced this journey with unimaginable strength, grace, and selflessness,” her loved ones said on Instagram after her death. “Her determination, courage, and will to live surpassed any deadlines doctors gave her, and she chose to spend her final moments surrounded by her loved ones and doing what she loved most with no regrets.”
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this article, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on 988.
