‘Bachelorette’ star Josh Seiter insists he hasn't died
Former Bachelorette contestant Josh Seiter has revealed he isn't dead despite reports claiming he had passed away.
Fans of the dating show will know Seiter from the 11th season which aired in 2015.
Seiter was eliminated in the first week of the series, but maintained a big following online where he regularly spoke openly about his mental health.
Seiter's family released a statement to announce that he'd passed away.
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"It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share the tragic news of Joshua's unexpected passing," a post on the reality TV star's official Instagram page stated.
It continued: "As all who knew him can attest, Joshua was an incredibly bright light in an increasingly dim world. 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 up beyond measure, we find comfort in knowing that he is finally at peace.
“We hope and pray that his spirit can continue to live on in the pictures and words on this page, which we will leave up for the time being."
The family ended the statement by asking for 'privacy as [they] grieve'.
They did not share Seiter's cause of death, but included a call to action for anyone who may be struggling with their mental health.
"For anybody who is experiencing a mental health crisis and needs help, the 988 SMS Lifeline provides 24/7 free and confidential support for people in distress, as well as prevention and crisis resources," the family said.
However, Seiter has since spoken out and confirmed he isn't dead.
“Hey, guys. As you can see, I am alive and well. My account was hacked,” he said.
“For the last 24 hours, I’ve been trying desperately to get into it.
"Somebody was playing a cruel joke and mocking my mental illness and the struggles I’ve gone through with depression and suicide attempts.
“I’m sorry for all the pain they caused when they made that post. I just got back into my account.”
Seiter celebrated being three months and eight years sober in June, and the following month he opened up about being 'completely catatonic' when he was 21 years old.
He described experiencing suicidal thoughts in 2021 before undergoing electroshock therapy in 2022.
"Later that year I harnessed every bit of strength I had and applied to law school," Seiter continued.
"At 25 I graduated law school top of my class. By 30 I became one of the most followed mental health advocates online and one of the top creators on OF. At almost 36, life is pretty dang near perfect," he wrote.
"Never, ever give up. Your story isn’t written yet. Every chapter is leading to a more perfect ending. I promise."
If you or someone you know is struggling or in mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
You can also call 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 at the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline.
Topics: US News, Mental Health, Health, Film and TV, Celebrity
Emily Brown