With nearly 30 seasons of “The Bachelor,” hundreds of contestants have appeared on the long-running reality TV series. With factoring in popular spinoffs such as “The Bachelorette” and “Bachelor in Paradise,” that number climbs into the thousands.
Unfortunately, over the years, there have also been several tragic deaths among former contestants, losses that fans of the franchise have not forgotten.
Erin Storm (‘The Bachelor’ Season 12)
Erin Storm competed on Matt Grant’s season 12 of “The Bachelor,” which was also named “The Bachelor: London Calling,” with Grant being the first-ever British bachelor. Storm didn’t go far in the competition and was eliminated in Week 3.
According to Page Six, in March 2016, Storms was piloting a single-engine plane when it crashed near Los Angeles. Emergency crews found Storms in cardiac arrest, and despite their efforts, she was pronounced dead at the hospital. Storms was 41.
After learning of her death, Grant shared in a statement with WKYC, “Massively shocked. Devastated for her family and friends. We were lucky to have Erin on season 12. She was genuine, self-assured, beautiful, and hilarious.”
Julien Hug (‘The Bachelorette’ Season 5)
Julien Hug was a restaurateur from San Diego, California, who competed on Jillian Harris’ season 5 of “The Bachelorette.” However, Harris did not see a connection, and he was eliminated early on, in Week 2.
Sadly, Hug would take his own life a year after he appeared on the show. According to CBS 8, in November 2010, Hug was supposed to be on his way to help his parents manage their new restaurant in Palm Desert, California, but never showed up. After being reported missing, his body was later discovered in a remote area in the San Bernardino National Forest, with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was 35.
Hug left a note with his parents, disclosing that he had been battling depression. His parent also shared in a joint interview with ABC 10 that his “rejection” by Harris on the show played no part in his death.
Gia Allemand (‘The Bachelor’ Season 14)
Gia Allemand is remembered for being one of the final three contestants on Jake Pavelka’s season 14 of “The Bachelor.” She was charming and beautiful, and would soon find love again with NBA player Ryan Anderson in 2011.
According to Us Weekly, in August 2013, Allemand took her own life after being found hanging in her home in New Orleans by Anderson. The couple was unfortunately arguing before Anderson left the residence. After a call from her mom to check on Allemand, that is when Anderson discovered her.
Lex McAllister (‘The Bachelor’ Season 14)
Alexa “Lex” McAllister was also a contestant on Jake Pavelka’s season 14 of “The Bachelor,” which aired in 2010. However, the 25 year old entrepreneur would be eliminated in Week 1.
According to TMZ, in February 2016, McAllister overdosed on prescription pills and died of an apparent suicide. Her family also shared that she “struggled with depression and bipolar disorder.”
Pavelka spoke about her passing in an X post: “Im so sad to hear about Alexa. Such a beautiful girl. My heart breaks for her family. Covering them in prayer during this rough time.”
Eric Hill (‘The Bachelorette’ Season 10)
Eric Hill was on Andi Dorfman’s season 10 of “The Bachelorette.” He quickly caught her eye, and she chose him for her very first one-on-one date. “I’m glad I picked Eric for the first date because he’s really cute and just the way he described the fact that he was traveling the world and how immersed in culture he is. I think there’s going to be a lot to talk about,” she shared to the cameras.
However, Hill would exit the show in Week 4 when Dorfman sent him home, per ABC. According to CNN, Hill tragically died in a paragliding accident in Utah in April 2014, before Dorfman’s season aired. Still, the show aired episodes that featured Hill. He was 32.
Michael Nance (‘The Bachelorette’ Season 8)
According to People, Michael Nance called himself “Music Mike” when he first met and competed for the heart of Emily Maynard on season 8 of “The Bachelorette.” He also disclosed on the show that he worked as a rehabilitation counselor after overcoming his own battle with prescription drug addiction and was two years sober.
“I’m almost two years sober, now, and it’s not that easy — you have to completely change your way of living,” he shared.
However, Nance would be sent home in Week 4. People reported that he continued to make music and held several job positions until his untimely death at the age of 31 in 2017. A second report detailing his death by People reported that he died from multiple drug toxicity, with an autopsy report showing the drugs cocaine, heroin, Clonazepam, and Gabapentin, in his system.
Cristy Caserta (‘The Bachelor’ Season 15)
Cristy Caserta, an attorney from Davie, Florida, was eliminated in Week 1 of “The Bachelor,” which saw Brad Womack back at getting a second chance at love.
According to TMZ, Caserta died unexpectedly of an apparent seizure while attending a class in Florida in October 2018. The outlet later obtained a copy of her autopsy report, which stated that Caserta had both heart and thyroid issues that led to her death. She was 38.
Clint Arlis (‘The Bachelorette’ Season 11)
Clint Arlis was on Kaitlyn Bristowe’s season of “The Bachelorette,” but didn’t make it far, getting eliminated in the third episode.
According to People, in January 2022, Arlis was found dead in his parents’ home by his father, with a suicide note found in the room. According to the cornerer report, Arlis struggled with mental health issues.
Upon hearing the news of his death, Bristowe shared on her Instagram Stories, “Alright, this is an Instagram story I did not think I’d be doing tonight but Clint, who was on my season of The Bachelorette, I’m gonna say tragically — he tragically passed at 34 years old. I’m not sure what happened, how it happened.”
She continued, “All I want to say is from knowing him on the show, even though, you know, things didn’t end on the best terms for us, from his time on the show to today, I have heard nothing but incredible things about that person.”
Tyler Gwozdz (‘The Bachelorette’ Season 15)
Tyler Gwozdz scored the first date with Hannah Brown during her stint at “The Bachelorette” on Season 15. However, Gwozdz would abruptly leave the show in Week 3, with Brown sharing (via Refinery 29), “Tyler G. had to leave, and that’s upsetting because I really enjoyed my date with him.”
According to E! News, Gwozdz died from a heroin overdose, which was cited as “an accident” in January 2022. He was 29.
“Given this information and a lack of admission specimens for testing his death is best classified as Opioid Toxicity (Heroin). It is possible that the offending agent could have been a different substance than heroin. However, given the circumstances it is best classified as such. If additional information becomes available in the future, it will be evaluated, and if needed the cause of death amended,” a document detailing his death read.
Hailey Merkt (‘The Bachelor’ Season 21)
Hailey Merkt, who was a contestant on Nick Viall’s season of “The Bachelor,” died from leukemia in July 2024. She was 31.
Merkt’s family took to her personal Instagram to share the news of her passing. “It is with broken hearts we share that our beloed Hailey has passed away after a courageous fight for her life. Hailey faced this journey with unimaginable strength, grace, and selflessness. Her determination, courage, and will to live surpassed every timeline the doctors gave her, and she chose to spend her final moments surrounded by loved ones and doing what she cherished most with no regrets.”
Before her death, Merkt shared her cancer journey with family, friends, and fans on Instagram.
