Gia Allemand’s friends react: ‘I am in complete shock’
In the wake of “Bachelor” and “Bachelor Pad” star Gia Allemand’s death Wednesday after an apparent suicide attempt Monday, friends were reaching out with remembrances.
Boyfriend Ryan Anderson, who plays for the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans and was the one who found the 29-year-old model and actress at their New Orleans home Monday, released a statement to People on Wednesday expressing his gratitude for the love and support he’d received all around.
“Gia was the most beautiful person I knew inside and out and she always smiled and made everyone else around her smile,” he told the magazine.
“She had such an amazing impact on my life and anyone that knew her was blessed. All I have left is to cherish those memories we made together and help perpetuate the many values, faith and love that we shared.”
Jake Pavelka, the “bachelor” of Allemand’s 2010 iteration of the show, said in a series of tweets Wednesday, “I am in complete shock and devastated to hear the news about Gia. She was one of the sweetest people I have ever known. And a very dear friend. My heart goes out to her family during this very difficult time. We have lost [an] angel today. I miss you Gia.”
On Tuesday, former “Bachelorette” Ali Fedotowsky tweeted that “Gia was in good spirits & appeared healthy when I saw her last Monday.” They had been together at a “Bachelorette” viewing party, according to Show Tracker. “We lost an incredible human being today,” she added Wednesday.
“It’s with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to our good friend Gia Allemand,” host Chris Harrison said. “She will be loved and missed by all who knew her.”
Vienna Girardi, who took the final rose on “The Bachelor” that season, tweeted, “Gia you are my angel! You changed so many lives with your beautiful soul and will be missed and loved forever.”
Allemand was found Monday after what TMZ reported was a suicide attempt by hanging. Anderson called 911 and he and another person performed CPR until paramedics arrived, the recording revealed. Allemand was then taken unconscious to New Orleans’ University Hospital, where she was place on life support until Wednesday, when it was discontinued and according to her rep, she “passed away peacefully with her mother, boyfriend, and other lifelong friends by her side. As a practicing Christian, Gia did receive the sacrament of last rites.”
Friends reportedly told the New York Post that she had struggled with depression.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
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