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Former Bachelor contestant Hailey Merkt has passed away following her battle with cancer. She was 31.
Merkt’s death was announced in a statement from her family on social media, who wrote, “Her determination, courage, 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 statement continued, “She will forever be remembered as anything but boring, always hysterically funny, and as someone who lived fully in the present moment. Hailey embraced life with an unmatched zest; her beautiful spirit has touched countless lives.”
Merkt competed on Nick Viall‘s season of The Bachelor, though she was sent home in the second week.
She first announced that she had been diagnosed with cancer in 2023, per TMZ.
After being diagnosed, Merkt wrote that she was “leukemia free” on her GoFundMe in April 2024. But the final update notes that it would only be six weeks after her bone marrow transplant until she was told that the leukemia cells were “back and moving fast.”
The GoFundMe also notes that she had been using a trial medicine that gave her “an extra 8 irreplaceable months.”
Several of her fellow contestants shared their condolences in the comment section.
“Oh my gosh!!! I’m so so sad to hear this,” Raven Gates, who also appeared on season 21 of The Bachelor, commented. “I was so hoping for her recovery. Rest easy, Hailey. You’ll never be forgotten.”
Fellow contestant Dominique Alexis also commented, “My love, I hope you are in the most beautiful peaceful place. I can’t imagine that I won’t see you again but I’ll cherish every memory together. Love you.”
The statement notes that Merkt’s family is accepting support via GoFundMe to “afford remaining costs that have overwhelmed Hailey’s mother and family.”
The GoFundMe notes that she spent her final days with her loved ones, including “the love of her life and soulmate, Henry, [who] brought her precious laughter and joy this last year, along with his heart.”
Supporters have donated $113,573 at the time of publication.
