Reality star Kelsey Bateman has reportedly died aged 39.
The former Rock of Love star appeared on the third and final season of Poison frontman Bret Michaels’ reality dating competition in 2009.
As reported by TMZ, a family source confirmed she died ‘unexpectedly’, but it’s not been revealed how or when she died.
Bateman was just 21 years old when she became one of 23 women competing in Rock of Love Bus with Bret Michaels to win his affection on his tour bus.
Although she made it to the final nine, she was eliminated in the seventh episode after getting ‘wasted’ with her fellow contestants.
‘I ended up laying on a speed bump balling my eyes out but you know what? I’m here and I’m ready for whatever Bret has to say to me,’ Kelsey said in a confessional on the show at the time.
‘But I mean, hey, I can’t be the only girl that’s got drunk and laid on a speed bump. Let’s be honest.’
Rock star Michaels, now 62, gently suggested a life on the road wasn’t right for Bateman, while he wasn’t convinced it was the right atmosphere for them to find a connection.
‘At some point I looked over during the concert and you were no longer there,’ he said. ‘And at some point you were laying on a speed bump talking saying you couldn’t handle this any longer.
‘I think tonight the fact that you are needing to be who you are not, the fact you need to drink this much?
‘I think you’re awesome and a beautiful girl and I said sometimes I have to make decisions for people, and my decision for you is that I’m going to let your tour end here.’
In response, Bateman insisted the rock star couldn’t ‘handle a girl that likes to get drunk and lay on speed bumps’.
She added: ‘I’m going to go home and I’m going to be single I’m not going to think about guys for a while but the next guy I find definitely won’t be 44 and probably not a rock star.’
It’s claimed despite stepping back from the limelight, she stayed in touched with her former co-stars from the show.
Fans have been left stunned by the news of her death at such a young age.
‘OMG can’t believe it,’ wrote one fan, as another said: ‘May she rest in peace.’
A third person added: ‘God bless those that cared for her and the pain that follows that loss.’
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