TV and Tragedy: The Most Unexpected and Shocking Reality TV Star Deaths ⁠— Steve Irwin and More

Steve Irwin

While filming the documentary Ocean’s Deadliest, a stingray, a typical docile fish, pierced him in the chest with a barb. He died at the age of 44 on September 4, 2006.

Shain Gandee

Gandee’s death was shocking for three reasons: his show, Buckwild‘s first season was a hit, he was so full of life and he was so young. Gandee died of carbon monoxide poisoning on April 1, 2013, along with his uncle and a friend, at the age of 21, after their truck got stuck in the mud. The muffler was buried, and the exhaust leaked into the cabin of the truck.

Diem Brown

MTV’s Real World/Road Rules Challenge favorite died on November 14, 2014, at 34. She had beaten ovarian cancer twice but ultimately died from colon cancer. 

Leslie Carter

Carter, best known for being the sister of Nick Carter and Aaron Carter, appeared on the short-lived House of Carters. On January 31, 2012, the 25-year-old said she felt ill after a fall in the shower. She was later found unresponsive and pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. It is believed prescription medicine contributed to her death.

Anna Nicole Smith

Smith is possibly one of the most famous reality star tragedies. The Anna Nicole Show star and former Playboy model died on February 8, 2007, at the age of 39 due to an accidental prescription drug overdose. 

Daniel Smith

Daniel Smith, Anna Nicole Smith’s son, often appeared on her television show. Three days after his mother gave birth to his half-sister, he died in Anna’s hospital room due to an overdose.

Gia Allemand

The Bachelor and Bachelor Pad contestant died by suicide on August 14, 2013. She was 29.

Angela “Big Ang” Raiola

The Mob Boss star was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015. After smoking for 40 years, doctors found a “lemon-sized tumor” in her throat. In February 2016, Raiola was hospitalized for stage 4 lung and brain cancer. She died at age 55 on February 18, 2016, from complications of lung cancer and pneumonia.

Fatima Ali

The Top Chef contestant died at age 29 on January 25, 2019, after being diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare form of cancer. Before her passing, she wrote a heartbreaking essay for Bon Appetit.

Kailia Posey

Toddlers and Tiaras star Kailia Posey died at 16 years old, which was confirmed by her mother, Marcey Posey Gatterman, on May 3, 2022. “I don’t have words or any thoughts. A beautiful baby girl is gone,” her mother wrote on Facebook. “Please give us the privacy as we mourn the loss of Kailia. My baby forever.” The cause of Kailia’s death has not yet been disclosed.

Christina Grimmie

Grimmie, who found fame on season six of The Voice, finishing in third place, was just 22 when she died on June 10, 2016. While she was signing autographs after a show, Grimmie was shot by Kevin Loibl, who was said to have an “unhealthy and unrealistic infatuation” with the singer, before he fatally shot himself.

Billy Brown

Alaskan Bush People star Billy Brown died at the age of 68 on February 7, 2023, after he suffered a seizure.

“Our beloved patriarch Billy Brown passed away last night after suffering from a seizure,” Billy’s son Bear Brown wrote via Instagram at the time. “He was our best friend — a wonderful and loving dad, granddad and husband and he will be dearly missed. He lived his life on his terms, off the grid and off the land and taught us to live like that as well. We plan to honor his legacy going forward, and to continue with his dream. We ask for privacy and prayers during this painful time! God bless everyone!!!”

Jordan Cashmyer

16 and Pregnant alum Jordan Cashmyer died in January 2022 at the age of 26 following a battle with addiction.

“This is an incredibly sad day,” Jordan’s rep, Howard ​”Howie” Wood, told In Touch in a statement at the time. “The last time I spoke with Jordan, she sounded happy and healthy. I wish people had the opportunity to know her away from her struggles as she was a very sweet and kind hearted person. I’m grateful I had the chance to know and work with her all these years. Life was not always good to her and I hope now she is in a better place. RIP sweet girl.”

Aubrey Wilson

Girls Incarcerated: Young and Locked Up star Aubrey Wilson died at the age of 22 on September 30, 2022.

“We are devastated. I am a private person, but this is a little different,” Aubrey’s grandmother, Robin Waters, told In Touch in a statement at the time. “I want all the people who loved her to find some comfort in the fact that she is at peace. And maybe it could help someone else who is in that position.”

Keith Nale

Two-time Survivor contestant Keith Nale died at the age 62 following a battle with cancer on April 18, 2023.

“On behalf of the entire Survivor crew, we send our deepest condolences to the Nale family. Keith was a one-of-a-kind human,” the competition show’s team said in a statement via Twitter. “He brought endless joy and laughter to Survivor fans and to those of us who made the show with him. He was adored by so many and will be greatly missed.”