6 Deaths That Rocked Bachelor Nation

Former Bachelorette competitor Michael Nance passed award early Monday, E! News confirmed

By Samantha Schnurr May 30, 2017 6:52 PMTags

Bachelor Nation has faced great tragedy over the years. 

Today, fans mourn the loss of Michael Nance, a competitor on Season 8 of the The Bachelorette, who was pronounced dead early Monday after being found unresponsive by Austin police.

"So sad waking up to the news about Michael Nance," Emily Maynard, whose heart he vied for on their season of The Bachelorette, tweeted. "Such a kind heart with so much talent," she wrote. "Sending prayers and love to his family and friends."

"Extremely difficult learning the news of Michael Nance's passing. He was a gentle man with a huge heart. He'll be missed but not forgotten," Bachelorette alum Chris Bukowski tweeted. 

While the cause of his death has not yet been determined, this is not the first passing to shake the franchise and its legions of past cast members and followers. 

In 21 seasons of The Bachelor and 13 more of The Bachelorette, fans have had to say goodbye to five more stars after tragedy struck. 

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Celebrity Deaths: 2017's Fallen Stars
Clint Arlis

Clint Arlis appeared on season 11 of The Bachelorette, which starred Kaitlyn Bristowe and premiered in 2015. He and fellow contestant JJ Lane famously said "villains gotta vill," and he was eliminated week three.

In January 2022, Clint's sister Taylor Lulek announced his passing. He was 34 years old. 

"It is with great sadness, to tell you that my family has lost my best friend and older brother Clint on the morning of January 11th," Taylor wrote on Facebook. "Please respect our family's privacy as we try to cope with this great loss."

A cause of death was not revealed.

Tyler Gwozdz

Tyler Gwozdz, or Tyler G, appeared on Hannah Brown's season of The Bachelorette in 2019. After going on the first one-on-one date of season 15, Tyler unexpectedly left the show for an unknown reason soon after. An official reason for his abrupt departure was never revealed, and Hannah simply told the remaining suitors that Tyler "had to leave."

Tyler died on Jan. 22, 2020, after he was hospitalized for a suspected medical overdose the week prior in Boca Raton, Fla. At the time, the Boca Raton Police Services Department confirmed to E! News that officers responded to a call for a suspected medical overdose at around 10:45 a.m. on Jan. 13, with Tyler then being transported to the hospital. The Palm Beach County Medical Examiner later confirmed that Tyler "died as a result of opioid toxicity (heroin)" and listed the manner of death as an accident.

Christy Caserta

Christy Caserta, a lawyer who competed on season 15 of The Bachelor starring Brad Womackpassed away at the age of 38 in October 2018. 

Caserta collapsed during a training class in Florida, and after seeing her unresponsive, her classmates quickly called 911 fearing that she'd suffered a seizure. First responders transported her to a hospital, where she subsequently died, a spokesperson for the Sunrise Police Department in Sunrise, Fla. told E! News at the time.

Michael Nance

Michael Nance was found dead in a residence in Austin, Texas in August 2017. He was 31 years old. According to an autopsy report, Michael, who appeared on Emily Maynard's season of The Bachelorette, died from "multiple drug toxicity" and his manner of death was ruled an accident.

Eric Hill

Before his appearance on Andi Dorfman's season of The Bachelorette aired, Eric Hill tragically died in a 2014 accident. He was paragliding with friends when his parachute partially collapsed, according to reports. He was 32 years old.

Erin Storm

Eight years after appearing on Matt Grant's season of The BachelorErin Storm died in a fatal private plane crash in 2016. According to NBC Los Angeles, Erin was the sole occupant of the Airborne XT-912 light-sport, weight-shift control plane and crashed shortly after taking off.

Gia Allemand

Gia Allemand, who appeared on Jake Pavelka's season of The Bachelor, died by suicide in 2013. She was 29 years old.

Julien Hug

Julien Hug, who appeared on season five of The Bachelorette starring Jillian Harris, was discovered dead in the San Bernardino National Forest in California in 2010. His parents shared that he'd been suffering from depression and had died by suicide. 

Lex McAllister

Lex McAllister, who appeared on Jake Pavelka's season of The Bachelordied from a drug overdose in February 2016, E! News confirmed. She was 31 years old. According to the coroner's report, Lex's death was due to acute intoxication by the combined effects of amlodipine and acetaminophen, and the manner of death was ruled a suicide.

 

If you or someone you know needs help, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.