Former Bachelor contestant Gia Allemand has died, it emerged on Tuesday, a day after being admitted to hospital following a “serious medical event”.
Circumstances surrounding the cause of Gia Allemand’s death remain unclear, but a family member has confirmed the 29-year-old reality star has died, according to TMZ.
The website says Gia Allemand’s mother and longterm boyfriend, New Orleans Pelicans star Ryan Anderson, were at her hospital bedside when she passed away.
The sad news comes following earlier reports on Tuesday that Gia Allemand, who appeared on Season 14 of the ABC show, was on life support.
She was taken to University Hospital in New Orleans on Monday following a “serious medical event”, according to a statement released by her representative.
Gia Allemand almost made it to the final on the Jake Pavelka season of the hit ABC show, losing out to Vienna Girardi.
Jake Pavelka has already reacted to the news of his former co-stars passing, tweeting: “I had to pull over, I can’t stop crying. We have lost an angel.”
Last night Jake Pavelka posted a message, asking people to pray for her: “Please pray for @GiaAllemand… A dear friend and one of the sweetest women I know… #powerofprayer.”
Gia Allemand went on to find love after The Bachelor and has been dating basketball player Ryan Anderson of the New Orleans Pelicans.
The sports star and her mother have been by Gia’s side in hospital since last night after Anderson made a mercy dash to be with her as soon as he heard the news.
Gia Allemand’s representative said: “On behalf of the family, we kindly ask for privacy at this time.”
Melinda Farina, a friend of Gia Allemand, tweeted late last night that the model was “on life support w [sic] little pulse and barely breathing …cause unknown”. “Next 48 hours critical please pray for Gia everyone.”
She also told one particular fan that the incident “could have been an adverse reaction to something”.
But, the source who confirmed that Gia Allemand is on life support also said the unexplained event was not an adverse reaction.
After the Bachelor in 2010, Gia Allemand – a model and actress – later joined the cast of reality series Bachelor Pad in 2010 but only made it to the third episode.
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