Bachelorette Contestant Michael Nance Dead At 31

Michael Nance, a contestant on season eight of The Bachelorette, has passed away.

E! News reports that Nance, 31, was found on May 29, 2017 by responding police officers at 2:10 a.m. Nance, who was unresponsive, was soon pronounced dead at 2:54 a.m.  A spokesperson for the Austin Police Department Homicide Unit stated, "At this point it is not a suspicious death and the manner will be determined by the medical examiner."

After news broke of Nance's death, fellow Bachelorette contestant Chris Bukowski took to Twitter to express his grief. "Extremely difficult learning the news of Michael Nance's passing," he wrote. "He was a gentle man with a huge heart. He'll be missed but not forgotten."

Bachelor Nation star Tony Pieper told E! News, "My fondest memories of Michael were when he would sing and play guitar in the Bachelor house."

"You could tell that was his happy and joyous place. He had such a big heart and was such a genuine guy. We lost a good one in Michael," he continued. "My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. RIP, buddy."

Arie Luyendyk Jr., who appeared on season eight of The Bachelorette—fighting for Emily Maynard's love—hinted at his suspicion that Nance's death was due to some kind of addiction. "I will always remember my friend Michael Nance for his kind and fragile soul," Luyendyk Jr. tweeted. "Addiction is a terrible disease, may he finally find peace."

Our thoughts are with Nance's loved ones at this time.