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‘Bachelor’ Contestant, 29, Dies in New Orleans — Her Death Is Being Called a Suicide

Aug 14, 2013  •  Post A Comment

Updated at 2:54 p.m. PT on Aug. 14, 2013, to include TMZ report on cause of death.

A contestant from Season 14 of ABC’s "The Bachelor" died today in a New Orleans hospital. E! News reports that Gia Allemand, a 29-year-old model, died in University Hospital. Some media reports are calling Allemand’s death a suicide.

This afternoon TMZ.com updated its story to report "TMZ has learned Gia hanged herself. Her boyfriend, Ryan, found her hanging and unconscious in her home and immediately called 911."

Allemand had been listed in critical condition after being rushed to the hospital Monday for what was described only as "a serious emergency medical event," as we reported earlier today.

"It was later revealed that the brunette was placed on life support and had her mother and her longtime boyfriend, NBA basketball player Ryan Anderson of the New Orleans Pelicans, by her side," E! reports. "A couple of hours after the family made their initial announcement, Melinda Farina (who is a close friend of Gia’s) tweeted about the ordeal."

Farina tweeted: "@GiaAllemand is on life support w little pulse and barely breathing ..cause unknown ..next 48 hours critical please pray for Gia everyone.

"I’m so sad about my best friend right now…how could this have happened to such an incredible person..she needs to come out of it!"

She added: "Everyone I will keep you posted if I hear anything further right now it’s not good-we all need to stay positive though she’s tiny but strong."

The nature of the emergency was not disclosed by Allemand’s family, but TMZ.com was reporting her death to be a suicide.

TMZ cited multiple sources close to Allemand saying she had been upset about her rocky relationship with her boyfriend.

"Gia’s boyfriend Ryan Anderson found Gia in her house Monday night," TMZ reports. "We’re told Gia was on life support, which was withdrawn today. She had suffered ‘critical loss of brain and organ function.’ Her mom, boyfriend and other friends were in the hospital when she died."

Vienna Girardi, the winner on Season 14 of "The Bachelor," told TMZ: "Gia was a beautiful girl and an unbelievable friend. I’m shocked and can’t believe what happened to her. She seemed so happy, but you never know the demons people are fighting inside. I will never forget her and will miss my friend forever."

The E! report adds: "Former ‘Bachelor’ star Sean Lowe tweeted about the tragic news, saying, ‘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.’"

gia-allemand2.jpg

Gia Allemand

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