Reality Stars Who Died Under Suspicious Circumstances

In June 2018, Sophie Gradon, who appeared on the British reality show Love Island, was found dead in her home. At only 32, Gradon's death came as a surprise to many fans of the show, as well as to her family and friends. According to The Sun, police did not release the cause of her death. They specifically ruled "suspicious circumstances" out, leaving most to believe the star took her own life. In fact, Gradon had addressed her mental health issues before, in large part blaming internet trolls for causing her anxiety. "It can really, really get into your mind," Gradon said in an interview with Radio Aire shortly before her death.

Tragically, a few weeks after her death, Gradon's boyfriend Aaron Armstrong died by suicide. People reported that 25-year-old Armstrong "had been found deceased" and that it was thought that there was no "third party involvement." His death came just days after he posted a tribute to Gradon on Instagram, writing, "I miss you so so much you will shine so bright up there my angel rest in peace beautiful see u on the other side."

If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.

Anna Nicole Smith gained fame after earning Playboy's Playmate of the Year title in 1993. She went on to act and model, eventually starring in her own eponymous reality show in the early 2000s. However, her life was not all glamour. In 2006, three days after giving birth to her daughter, Smith found her 20-year-old son dead of a suspected accidental overdose. Just a few months later, Smith herself fell victim to the same cause of death.

Even in death, Smith was surrounded by controversy. In February 2015, a National Enquirer tabloid story alleged that Smith was "coerced" into taking the mixture of drugs that ultimately killed her, going so far as to quote people who urged that Smith's body be exhumed (via Radar Online). Then, in August of that year, a man who claimed to have had a relationship with Smith told Radar that he believed Smith and her son were murdered by the same person.

Suvivor star Dan Kay passed away in 2016, but the details surrounding his death remain unclear. According to his obituary, Kay died "unexpectedly," and, though he lived in New Hampshire, where his funeral was later held, a New Hampshire forensic investigator told Heavy, "His death was not reported to us. I don't think he died in NH." Furthermore, Kay's girlfriend at the time told Radar Online that she was not willing to reveal his cause of death.

To this day, the reason for Kay's passing has not been shared with the public. However, that hasn't stopped fans from speculating about what happened to the former Survivor contestant, with many people focusing on the terminology present in his obituary. According to the Santa Monica Observer, ideas about Kay's mysterious death vary widely. Many fans believe his death was either a suicide or an accident, while others think that a sudden illness, such as a heart attack or stroke, took his life.

If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.

In 2013, MTV lost another one of their reality TV personalities with the death of Buckwild star Shain Gandee. Though Buckwild only aired for a month (producers decided to cancel the show after Gandee's death), it was widely popular — and had even been dubbed the "redneck" Jersey Shore. 

Fans were shocked to learn about 21-year-old Gandee's passing when it was first reported. "Shain had a magnetic personality, with a passion for life that touched everyone he met and we will miss him dearly," MTV said in a statement following Gandee's death.

According to CNN, officials began looking for Gandee and two others after they were reported missing. Police found the three men in a truck in the woods. The sheriff's office in the county where Gandee's body was found reported that officials discovered the truck "partially submerged in mud" with its muffler "below the surface." Upon the release of Gandee's autopsy report, Gandee's death was ruled as an accidental carbon monoxide poisoning as the likely result of his truck's muffler being blocked off by the mud.

Corey Haim was both a former child star and reality star, having appeared in his own show alongside Corey Feldman called The Two Coreys. Unfortunately, like many former child stars, Haim lived a tragic life riddled with drugs and addiction. As a result, upon discovery of his death in 2010, many news outlets preemptively reported that his death was the result of an accidental overdose.

According to ABC News, Haim was rushed to the hospital after exhibiting strange "flu-like symptoms." "He could have succumbed to whatever [illness] he had or it could have been drugs," police reported. "He has had a drug problem in the past." Police also noted that Haim's apartment had multiple pill bottles in it, some of which his mom had flushed, which added to the notion that the star had overdosed.

Despite most people believing drugs had killed Haim, the star's autopsy report surprisingly revealed otherwise. E! News reported that Haim actually died of natural causes, most likely the result of a bout of pneumonia.

Unfortunately, it seems as though MTV has experienced many reality TV star deaths. Ryan Dunn found fame after appearing in MTV's Jackass, known for performing crazy stunts alongside his castmates. In 2011, Dunn was shockingly found dead — along with his passenger, stunt car driver Zachary Hartwell — after allegedly driving a Porsche 911 GT3 up to 140 mph, ultimately crashing the car in the woods where it caught on fire.

Fans were understandably surprised by Dunn's accident and subsequent passing, though he did have a history of dangerous driving. It later emerged that Dunn had been driving while intoxicated. CNN reported that his Twitter account showed him drinking just hours before the crash, and the manager of the bar he was at confirmed that Dunn had been there drinking. "He didn't seem to be intoxicated at the time he left," the manager said. 

Dunn's blood alcohol level was reportedly .0196%, which is more than twice the legal limit."