The Bachelor season 21 contestant Hailey Merkt tragically passed away on Friday, July 26, after a courageous battle with leukemia.
“It is with shattered hearts that we share the devastating news of Hailey’s passing,” a statement on Hailey’s Instagram read on Tuesday, July 30. “Hailey faced this journey with unwavering strength, unrelenting grace, and selfless courage. Her determination, bravery, and will to live surpassed every timeline the doctors gave her, and she chose to spend her final moments surrounded by loved ones and doing what she cherished most with no regrets.”
The tribute noted that Merkt will be remembered as “anything but dull, always side-splittingly funny, and as someone who lived fully in the present moment.” The post added, “Hailey embraced life with an unmatched fervor; her beautiful spirit has touched countless lives.”
“Hailey will be profoundly missed by all who knew her,” the statement continued. “Her infectious laughter, her unconditional love, and her vibrant spirit have left an indelible mark on our hearts. While we mourn her loss, we find solace in knowing that her spirit will live on in all the lives she touched. Rest in peace, Hailey. 
.”
Tragically, several former Bachelor and Bachelorette contestants have lost their lives after competing on the show. In April 2014, Eric Hill, who appeared on season 10 of The Bachelorette, died at the age of 26 after part of his parachute collapsed while he was paragliding in Utah. The accident […]
The post thanked those who supported Hailey throughout her journey, encouraging those to share their favorite memories with her. “ Your stories and moments mean the world,” the post concluded.
Hailey’s GoFundMe page will remain open until August 10. Bachelor Nation met Hailey when she vied for the affections of Nick Viall during season 21 of The Bachelor in 2017. Hailey was eliminated during the second week of the series.
After news of Hailey’s death broke, several stars from Bachelor Nation took to social media to pay tribute to her.
“I feel so fortunate to have known your laughter and grateful to have met and loved the realest, warmest, most beautiful soul in the weirdest of places 
forever grateful for your friendship there and in the real world…. What a force my girl, rest easy 
so much love to all your people,” Danielle Maltby, who also appeared on Nick’s season, wrote in the comments section.
Hollywood has mourned many celebrities in 2024. Speed Racer star Christian Oliver (born Christian Klepser) died at the age of 51 during a fatal plane crash on January 5. Oliver was traveling home from a Caribbean vacation with his two daughters — Madita and Annik, whom he shared with wife Jessica Klepser — on January 4. […]
Season 21 runner-up Raven Gates added, “Oh my gosh!!! I’m so so sad to hear this 
I was so hoping for her recovery. Rest easy, Hailey you’ll never be forgotten.”
Hailey was candid about her battle with leukemia on her GoFundMe page. In April, Hailey shared that she was “leukemia free,” however, a July update read that things took a turn.
“After the bone marrow transplant had taken, she was told she had nine months to not even think about cancer, but in truth she only had 6 weeks before she got the terrible news that leukemia cells were back and moving fast,” the post read. “Her first reaction was to say, ‘I don’t care about myself anymore, but I can’t bear being the cause of so much pain for the people I love.’”