Gia Allemand Dead: 'Bachelor' Star's Suspected Suicide Shocks Fans
Gia Allemand who appeared on season 14 of "The Bachelor" died Wednesday of an apparent suicide.
The 29-year-old was admitted into the hospital on Monday where she was in critical condition and on life support. Her boyfriend, NBA player Ryan Anderson, had found her in her New Orleans home, and it appears that she had hanged herself in an apparent suicide.
Her family released a statement following her death on Wednesday.
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"Due to a critical loss of brain and organ function, life support was withdrawn," Allemand's family's statement read, according to People.com.
"Ms. Allemand passed away peacefully with her mother, boyfriend, and other lifelong friends by her side," the family continued. "As a practicing Christian, Gia did receive the sacrament of last rites."
While her cause of death has not been confirmed, reports by People.com and TMZ reported Allemand's suicide.
Furthermore, it is believed that the model hanged herself in her house Monday night when Anderson found her and called 911, according to TMZ.
Initially, the Allemand's publicist described her hospitalization as a "serious emergency medical event," and asked for privacy over the matter.
Meanwhile, the star's family noted her lasting legacy.
"Loves ones and fans will remember Gia Allemand as a caring woman who loved her family and was well-known for her compassion towards animals and mission to rescue homeless pets," they said.
Allemand competed for Jake Pavelka's heart on season 14 ABC's "The Bachelor" before she appeared on the spin-off series "Bachelor Pad." She also modeled for Maxim.
The model's sudden passing shakes "Bachelor" fans as well as the entertainment industry, and messages of mourning have flooded Twitter.
Among those grieving Wednesday is season 14's winner of "The Bachelor," Vienna Girardi, who took to Twitter following Allemand's death.
"Gia you are my angel," Gurardi posted to Twitter. "You changed so many lives with your beautiful soul and will be missed and loved forever."
