Michael Nance cause of death: ‘Bachelorette’ contestant said he was ‘two years sober’ during Emily Maynard’s season
By Ruby Maxwell
Bachelorette contestant Michael Nance was found dead in his home on Monday, prompting an outpouring of condolences from Bachelor Nation.
Michael Nance was a contestant on Emily Maynard’s season of The Bachelorette back in 2012. Five years later, Austin, Texas police confirmed that Nance was found unresponsive in an undisclosed location. He was pronounced dead in the early morning hours on May 29. Very few detail have emerged about the cause of his death.
Austin Police state that Nance’s death is “not deemed to be suspicious.” However, there are unconfirmed reports that his death may have been drug-related. In a video clip (below) from The Bachelorette Season 8, Michael Nance told Emily Maynard that he was “addicted to prescription drugs” but was “almost two years sober” when he appeared on the show. It’s not clear if he struggled with his addiction in the years after the show aired on ABC.
Bachelor Nation grieves
News of Nance’s death spread quickly on Twitter. Emily and several of Nance’s Bachelorette co-stars, including Chris Bukowski, Sean Lowe, and Arie Luyendyk Jr., expressed their sadness over Michael’s passing.
Nance was eliminated on week 4 of Emily’s season. Although he made an early exit, he made a big impression on both Emily and his co-stars.
“So sad waking up to the news about Michael Nance,” Emily Maynard tweeted on Tuesday morning. “Such a kind heart with so much talent. Sending prayers and love to his family and friends.”
Other members of the Bachelor family also tweeted about Michael’s death.
My heart breaks to hear about the passing of my friend Michael Nance. He was a sweet man with a kind soul. We all loved him on Bachelorette.
— Sean Lowe (@SeanLowe09) May 30, 2017
I will always remember my friend Micheal Nance for his kind and fragile soul. Addiction is a terrible disease, may he finally find peace.
— Arie Luyendyk Jr. (@ariejr) May 30, 2017
Extremely difficult learning the news of Michael Nance's passing. He was a gentle man with a huge heart. He'll be missed but not forgotten.
— Chris Bukowski (@chrisjbukowski) May 30, 2017
Bachelorette Season 8 contestant Tony Pieper, also had kind words to say about Michale Nance, telling E! Online that his “fondest memories of Michael were when he would sing and play guitar in the Bachelor house.” He went on to say that Nance had a “big heart” and was a “genuine guy.”
Bachelorette producer Elan Gale tweeted that he was “very sad” to hear about Michael Nance’s passing, calling him a “very sweet and kind man.”
Rest in peace, Michael Nance.
[Featured Image by ABC Television Network]