Over the last few years, the world of reality television has tragically lost some of its
most famous faces.
From Mob Wives to The Bachelor to American Idol, here's a look at some reality TV stars
you didn't know passed away.
Gia Allemand
Former Bachelor and Bachelor Pad contestant Gia Allemand reportedly took her own life
on August 12, 2013.
According to ABC News, the 29-year-old hanged herself following a nasty fight with her boyfriend,
NBA player Ryan Anderson, who found her unconscious later that night and rushed her to the hospital.
She was taken off life support the next day.
Michael Johns
Handsome Australian singer Michael Johns, who competed on the seventh season of American
Idol, reportedly lost his life to on August 1, 2014.
The disease is described as a "condition that inhibits the flow of blood to [the] body,"
which causes the heart to enlarge.
A "fatty liver" also contributed to Johns' fatal illness, according to a report obtained
by TMZ.
Law enforcement told TMZ that Johns "often drank to excess."
Johns was 35.
Joey Kovar
Midway through The Real World: Hollywood, star Joey Kovar left the show to enter rehab.
Unfortunately, it didn't work.
According to TMZ, a medical examiner confirmed the 29-year-old, whose battles with cocaine
and ecstasy were well documented on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, had passed away due to
opiate intoxication after an accidental drug overdose.
Angela 'Big Ang' Raiola
Mob Wives star Angela "Big Ang" Raiola passed away February 18, 2016 after battling throat,
brain, and lung cancer.
She was 55.
According to People, Raiola was diagnosed in March 2015 after doctors discovered a "lemon-sized
tumor" in her throat.
A statement released on Raiola's Twitter page paid tribute to the star and her dedicated
fans.
"She was surrounded by nothing but love from her immediate family, and the closest friends.
YOU were some of the most special people in the world, and she loved you immensely."
Frankie Abernathy
The Real World: San Diego star Frankie Abernathy lost her lifelong battle with cystic fibrosis
on June 9, 2007.
Abernathy was diagnosed with the progressive, genetic lung disease at age 3.
Her struggles were well documented on The Real World.
Her mother told MTV News,
"It was very sudden.
She was doing fine…
It seems like her little body just gave out."
Abernathy was 25.
Julien Hug
In November 2010, People reported that the body of Julien Hug, who competed briefly on
Season 5 of The Bachelorette, was found near a remote stretch of California highway.
It was later confirmed that he had passed away due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
He was 35.
His parents told People that Hug left them a note explaining his actions.
"In his letter to us he stated that he was suffering from acute depression and he felt
it was his only way out.
While publicly outgoing he was an extremely private person who internalized everything."
David Gest
On April 12, 2016, the body of TV star David Gest was found at the Four Seasons hotel in
London's Canary Wharf neighborhood.
Gest, 62, initially became famous for his brief marriage to Liza Minnelli, but later
made a name for himself on multiple reality shows, including I'm a Celebrity…Get Me
Out of Here! and Celebrity Big Brother.
Ryan Knight
According to TMZ, The Real World: New Orleans star Ryan Knight passed away in November 2014
"on the heels of a night of partying."
A friend reportedly found Knight the next morning covered in vomit.
Months later, a medical examiner ruled that Knight succumbed to mixture of drugs and alcohol.
TMZ reported that among the drugs found in his system were "methadone, tramadol, cocaine
and Xanax."
He was 29.
Michael Nance
One of the suitors on Emily Maynard's season of The Bachelorette in 2012, Michael Nance
was found unresponsive by the Austin Police Department on May 28, 2017.
According to People, a toxicology report later revealed that the 31-year-old TV star had
ingested multiple drugs before his passing, including cocaine, and heroin.
Ahmad Givens
Better known as "Real" from the VH1 dating series I Love New York and its subsequent
spin-off, Real Chance of Love, Ahmad Givens lost a lengthy battle with colon cancer in
February 2015.
According to TMZ, Givens endured stage 4 colon cancer in 2013; the cancer returned in early
2015, prompting chemotherapy treatments.
Givens was 33.
Christopher 'Big Black' Boykin
One of the stars of the MTV reality series Rob & Big, Christopher 'Big Black' Boykin
passed away in May 2017.
Boykin's ex-wife, Shannon Turley, told TMZ that Boykin had been hospitalized for several
days prior to his passing.
Doctors had feared Boykin, who reportedly already had a defibrillator in his chest,
would have needed a heart transplant to survive.
He was 45.
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