Bachelorette contestant Josh Seiter dead at 36: Reality star passes away days after posting about ‘anxiety and depression’
- Seiter had been seen on Kaitlyn Bristowe’s season of the ABC series in 2015
- The Chicago native had been candid about his mental health issues
- Seiter’s family said that ‘his fearless voice and indomitable spirit helped thousands of people in their darkest moments feel just a little less alone’
- If you or someone close to you is in need of mental health assistance, please text ‘STRENGTH’ to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741
The Bachelorette personality Josh Seiter has died at the age of 36, days after speaking about his mental health struggles on social media.
‘It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share the tragic news of Joshua’s unexpected passing,’ his family said in a statement. ‘As all who knew him can attest, Joshua was an incredibly bright light in an increasingly dim world.’
Seiter’s family said that ‘his fearless voice and indomitable spirit helped thousands of people in their darkest moments feel just a little less alone.
‘Although our heartache at Joshua’s passing pains us beyond measure, we find comfort knowing that he is finally at peace.’
Seiter had been seen on the ABC series in 2015, with Kaitlyn Bristowe as the lead character, and had been eliminated in the show’s first week.
The latest: The Bachelorette personality Josh Seiter has died at the age of 36, days after speaking about his mental health struggles on social media
Seiter’s family announced his tragic passing in a statement on Monday
The reality TV personality’s family did not indicate his cause of death, pointing ‘anyone who is experiencing a mental health crisis’ to contact the 988 hotline (or chat 988lifeline.org).
According to The Sun, Seiter was born in Chicago, Illinois on August 14, 1987.
He earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and followed up in getting his Juris Doctor degree at Chicago-Kent College of Law.
Seiter had been candid about living with mental health issues to his 456K followers on Instagram.
‘Surviving depression and anxiety one day at a time with a smile,’ he said in his last post on Thursday.
In a July 2021 post he had pinned at the top of his page, Seiter wrote, ‘I’m Josh Seiter, and I’m a suicide attempt survivor. I battle OCD, Bipolar Depression, and GAD (generalized anxiety disorder), but I refuse to give up. What did you survive?’
Seiter was introspective in a July 22 post on the social media site in which he said that he’d battled ‘feelings of worthlessness on a daily basis,’ going into detail about the issues that troubled him.
‘Some of my biggest insecurities revolve around gaining the approval of others,’ he said. ‘You see, at heart I am a people pleaser. I am constantly trying to win the approval of others.’
Seiter had been seen on the ABC series in 2015, with Kaitlyn Bristowe as the lead character, and had been eliminated in the show’s first week
Seiter was seen chatting with Bristowe on an edition of the show that aired in May of 2015
He was seen removing his shirt in the episode, revealing his fit frame and multiple tattoos
Seiter’s family said that ‘his fearless voice and indomitable spirit helped thousands of people in their darkest moments feel just a little less alone’
Seiter had been candid about living with mental health issues to his 456K followers on Instagram
He said in his last post on Thursday: ‘Surviving depression and anxiety one day at a time with a smile’
In a July 2021 post he had pinned at the top of his page, Seiter opened up about his mental health
He speculated about the root causes of why he felt the way he did, referencing his upbringing and homeschooling, noting he ‘didn’t have many friends’ growing up.
He said: ‘The “Why?” doesn’t matter so much as the “How?” How are we going to stop conditioning our self-worth on the acceptance of others?’
‘The answer to that question only came after I was open and honest with the world about my mental health struggles. It does get better.’
Two days earlier, Seiter had penned a kind and uplifting message to people struggling with their mental health.
‘I want to tell anyone out there struggling right now that I’m proud of you. I’m proud of you for putting on your socks,’ he wrote. ‘I’m proud of you for tying your shoes. I’m proud of you for getting out of the house when it feels like an insurmountable task in a Sisyphean struggle that has no end.
‘I want you to know it does get better. I know because I’ve been there. I want you to know that you matter. Your life matters.’
As news of Seiter’s passing spread, a number of his friends, fans and followers posted condolences to his Instagram posts
Seiter made headlines two months ago when he revealed to Instinct Magazine that he was bisexual
As news of his passing spread, a number of his friends, fans and followers posted condolences to his Instagram posts.
‘This is tragic,’ one said. ‘Thanks josh for being open and honest. I hope you’re at peace. Condolences to his family and friends.’
Another said, ‘R.I.P. handsome man,’ while another chimed in, ‘Beautiful man. May he rest in peace.’
His former girlfriend, Rupaul’s Drag Race personality Monica Beverly Hillz, posted to Instagram, ‘RIP My honey.’
Seiter made headlines two months ago when he revealed to Instinct Magazine that he was bisexual.
‘I guess the timing of me coming out as bisexual is pretty providential, since I’m making this announcement during Pride Month,’ Seiter told the outlet, noting that he had a religious upbringing. ‘Unlike some people, my awareness of my bisexuality manifested later in life.’
He added: ‘Now, with hindsight, I can see clearly that I’ve been starkly aware of my bisexuality and attraction to men and women since at least college.’
Last month, he told Pride that he was going to be ‘starring in a series of adult films’ after starting an Only Fans account.
He added: ‘Coming out was the most liberating experience of my life, and it has opened up so many great opportunities for growth. This is just one rung in the ladder of the bisexual experience I intend to climb, and I couldn’t be more excited for the future!’
If you or someone close to you is in need of mental health assistance, please text ‘STRENGTH’ to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741. To reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, dial 988.
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