Bachelor Nation is reeling in the wake of former contestant Gia Allemand's death at the age of 29. Allemand, who finished third during Jake Pavelka's season of the ABC reality show, died on Wednesday, Aug. 14, after being hospitalized two days earlier for a "serious emergency medical event."
According to an official statement about her death, Allemand was found by her boyfriend, NBA player Ryan Anderson, following an apparent suicide attempt on Monday, Aug. 12. Emergency personnel arrived and rushed her to University Hospital, New Orleans, where she remained in critical condition and on life support.
"Due to a critical loss of brain and organ function, life support was withdrawn today," the Aug. 14 statement read. "Ms. Allemand passed away peacefully with her mother, boyfriend, and other lifelong friends by her side. As a practicing Christian, Gia did receive the sacrament of last rites."
"Loved 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," the statement continued. "On behalf of the family, we sincerely ask for privacy at this time."
As news of Allemand's untimely passing spread online, Bachelor alum took to Twitter to express their grief and honor her memory. Us Weekly has compiled some of their reactions below.
Jake Pavelka: "I had to pull over, I can't stop crying. We have lost an angel."
Vienna Girardi: "Gia you are my angel! You changed so many lives with your beautiful soul and will be missed and loved forever."
Chris Harrison: "It's with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to our good friend Gia Allemand. She will be loved and missed by all who knew her."
Trista Sutter: "#BachelorNation please join me in sending thoughts & prayers 2 @GiaAllemand's family & all those who were blessed 2 know her. #angeltoosoon"
Molly Mesnick: "Such a sad day…love, prayers, and thoughts to Gia's family and close friends."
Ali Fedotowsky: "We lost an incredible human being today."
Desiree Hartsock: "So incredibly sad to hear the news. Love and prayers go out to Gia's family and friends."
Jenna Burke: "We lost a loved one but heaven gained an angel. I will miss you sweet Gia Allemand. You will always be in our hearts and thoughts. <3 you."
Jessie Sulidis: "So sad to have lost such a beautiful, talented & amazing person I had the privilege of having in my life."
Sean Lowe: "My prayers go out to @GiaAllemand's family during this time. Life on earth is but a vapor and she's with our Lord now."
Wes Hayden: "I will miss you Gia, you were an awesome woman and I thank God I got to be a part of your life if only for a little while."
Melissa Rycroft (via her rep): "Gia was such a joyous person to be around. She was the person that in any room drew a crowd because she exuded positive energy and friendliness. This is beyond tragic and my thoughts and prayers go out to her loved ones."
Lyndsi Leverett: "We love Gia and are heartbroken. Our hearts and prayers go out to all this affects."
Ed Swiderski: "I'm just so sad right now, I was just with her last week and she's the sweetest soul."
Tenley Molzahn: "My heart is heavy. Thank you Gia for leaving behind an example of how to live a beautiful life. Thank you for letting your light shine. Thank you for this reminder… You did this well in everything you did. Thank you for the laughs. @GiaAllemand Continued prayers to the loved ones she left behind."
Tyler Vermette: "Blessed to have called her a friend and I will forever love and miss you @GiaAllemand An angel is an understament, rest in peace sweet girl."
Jeremy Cade: "The worst is confirmed. Very sad to hear we all lost such a beautiful soul. Very sad."
R. Jason Resmini: "People always say nice things when someone passes away… But I can honestly tell you, Gia was the most uplifting person and put her friends on a pedestal, constantly bragging to others about there accomplishments. Incredibly conscientious to others' feelings and so extremely outgoing. I've been blessed to have her as my honorary sister, the all too short time we have known each other. Saying she will be missed, is an insurmountable understatement. Our hearts are heavy, but we rest assured, as she enters the gates of heaven…there will be plenty of yellow roses awaiting our beautiful friend's arrival."
Mike Fleiss: "The entire Bachelor family is tremendously saddened by the tragic passing of our friend, Gia. She was truly a sweet and generous soul. This is a devastating loss for anyone who ever knew her."
