Remembering The Reality Stars Who Passed Away in 2024

Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors

Throughout 2024, several beloved reality stars from programs like The Bachelor, American Pickers, Survivor, and more have passed away. Whether they were a contestant, host, or just graced our TV screens in one way or another, these people made fans' days a little brighter through their appearances.

In honor of their legacies, we've compiled a list of some of the reality stars who died in 2024.

Chuck Woolery, "Lingo", "Greed", Naturally Stoned" and "Love Conection" at the "Game Show Networks 2003 Winter TCA Tour" at the Renaissance Hotel in Los Angeles, Ca. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2003. Some reality stars passed away... Kevin Winter/ImageDirect/Getty Images

Mandisa Hundley

Mandisa Hundley reached ninth place on American Idol in 2006, going on to have a strong career in gospel music. She died in April 2024 from complications with class III obesity.

Sonja Christopher

A cast member of Survivor's first season, Sonja Christopher died in April 2024 at age 87. In her season, Christopher was the first person to be voted off the island. Her cause of death is unknown.

Nick Mavar

Nick Mavar appeared on Deadliest Catch until 2021. According to The New York Times, Mavar's nephew revealed his uncle had a heart attack before his June 2024 death at age 59. However, it's unclear if that was the actual cause of his passing.

Lizzy Musi

Street Outlaws: No Prep Kings star Lizzy Musi revealed her stage four breast cancer diagnosis in April 2023. She died on June 27, 2024, from cancer, after sharing her treatment journey on social media.

Sarah Becker

MTV's The Real World: Miami alum Sarah Becker died at age 52 by suicide in June 2024. She appeared on Season 5 of the reality show. "We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Sarah Becker," an MTV spokesperson shared with People Magazine. "Our hearts go out to her family and friends in this time of grief."

Naomi Pomeroy

Top Chef Masters' Naomi Pomeroy appeared on the competition show in 2011 and ran a Portland restaurant called Beast. She died at age 49 alongside her husband on July 13, 2024, after a tubing accident.

Autumn Crittendon

16 and Pregnant's Autumn Crittendon died from a drug overdose at the age of 27 on July 20, 2024. A GoFundMe was organized for funeral expenses by her sister. Crittendon starred in Season 5 of the show in 2014, where she gave birth to her first child, her son Drake.

Hailey Merkt

Hailey Merkt appeared on Season 21 of The Bachelor in 2016, where she was one of the women vying for Nick Viall's heart. She died on July 26, 2024, at age 31 after a battle with leukemia.

Erica Ash

Comedian Erica Ash starred in Real Husbands of Hollywood, a reality show that doubled as a parody of the genre. Ash died on July 28 at age 46 after a battle with cancer. "Erica was an amazing woman and talented entertainer who touched countless lives with her sharp wit, humor, and genuine zest for life," her family shared with Deadline. Her memory will live eternally in our hearts."

KeKe Jabbar

KeKe Jabbar of Love and Marriage: Huntsville died at age 42 in July 2024 of carbon monoxide poisoning. According to Deadline, Jabbar's friend revealed that she was found in her car by her husband.

Perry Kurtz

Perry Kurtz was a comedian who auditioned to be on Season 8 of America's Got Talent. He also performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Late Late Show with James Corden. Kurtz died at age 73 on August 15, 2024, after being struck by a vehicle in a hit-and-run in Los Angeles.

Frank Fritz

Frank Fritz from American Pickers died on September 30 at age 60. His cause of death was complications from a stroke. Fritz co-hosted the series until 2021, hunting for antiques across the country with Mike Wolfe.

"I've know Frank for more then half my life and what you've seen on TV has always been what I have seen, a dreamer who was just as sensitive as he was funny," Wolfe wrote in a heartfelt Instagram tribute. "The same off camera as he was on, Frank had a way of reaching the hearts of so many by just being himself."

Sarah Danser

Naked and Afraid contestant Sarah Danser died at age 34 in October 2024, following a car crash in Hawaii. Danser was honored in a special social media tribute from Island Divers Hawaii. "Heavy hearts as we say goodbye to a good friend and great captain. Sarah brought such great energy to everyone she came in contact with. You will be greatly missed," they captioned.

Chuck Woolery

Chuck Woolery was the original host of Wheel of Fortune from 1975 to 1981. The game show host died on November 30, 2024 at age 83. As of December 2024, his cause of death has not been confirmed. He was inducted into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame in 2007.

Kabir "Kabeezy" Singh

Comedian Kabir "Kabeezy" Singh died on December 4, 2024 at age 39. He appeared on Season 16 of America's Got Talent in 2021 and reached the semi-finals. Sources told TMZ that Singh had been dealing with undisclosed health issues, leading to his death.

David Murphey

90 Day Fiancé star David Murphey was known for his relationship with Lana, a Ukrainian woman — which ended in 2019. The Las Vegas-based reality star died at age 66 on December 11, 2024, after his family shared a statement on Instagram.

"We are deeply saddened to announce that David Murphey, of Las Vegas, Nevada, passed away at home on December 11, 2024, after experiencing health issues over the last several years," they wrote. Murphey's exact cause of death was from heart-related problems.