Josh Seiter, a 2015 contestant on “The Bachelorette,” has died at the age of 36, his family said in a statement heartbreaking Instagram tribute On Monday.
“It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share the tragic news of Joshua’s unexpected death,” they wrote. “All who knew him can attest that Joshua was an incredibly bright light in an increasingly gloomy world. His fearless voice and indomitable spirit have helped thousands of people feel a little less alone in their darkest moments.”
While Seiter was sent home to Kaitlyn Bristowe during the first week of season “Bachelorette” Kaitlyn Bristowe managed to turn reality TV attention into a strong social media following and modeling career.
“While our sorrow at Joshua’s death is immeasurable, we take comfort in the knowledge that he has finally found peace,” his family said in a statement. “We hope and pray that his spirit may live on in the images and words on this page, which we omit for now.” As we do so, we kindly ask for your privacy as we mourn.”
Seiter’s family did not reveal a cause of death, but at the end of the statement referred “anyone who is experiencing a mental health crisis and needs help” to mental health resources.
Before his death, Seiter had publicly reported his mental problems on the Internet.
In a 2021 Instagram post, he said identified himself as a “survivor of a suicide attempt,” but told his followers, “I refuse to give up.” In the caption, Seiter also revealed that he had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
sides Last Instagram post was a smiling selfie shared last week. The caption read, “Surviving Depression and Anxiety One Day at a Time with a Smile.”
If you or someone you know needs help, call 988, text, or chat 988lifeline.org to support mental health. In addition, see local resources for mental health and crises at dontcallthepolice.com. Outside the US, please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention.
