Source : PERTHNOW NEWS
The Bachelorette star and Abbie Chatfield’s ex, Konrad Bien-Stephen, has unexpectedly died, with the news of his tragic death sending shockwaves throughout the entertainment community.
The reality TV personality came in third on Brooke Blurton’s season of The Bachelorette and went on to compete on The Challenge Australia.
The 35-year-old also gained a huge following after dating former The Bachelor contestant and media personality Abbie Chatfield in 2021 before they broke up a year later.
On Thursday, the chief executive of talent agency JRM Group, Rebecca Townsing, confirmed his death with “deep sadness”.
“It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Konrad Bien-Stephen,” she said in a statement.
“We ask that you respect the privacy of their family during this incredibly difficult time. No further information will be shared at this stage. Our thoughts are with all who loved him.
“We ask that media and the public respect the privacy of his family, refrain from speculation, and treat his memory with dignity, not as a headline.
“He will be deeply missed.”
Bien-Stephen’s close friend Megan Marx shared a tribute on social media after the young star and model chose “to step off this wild, stubborn road before the rest of us were ready”.
“He was a good friend. And f..k was he was funny! Witty. Made me laugh in that deep, unexpected way that catches in your chest and makes the whole day feel lighter,” she wrote in an Instagram post.“I keep thinking about the things he still had lined up – that wandering horse trek somewhere wide and dusty, the fiddle under his chin (😅), motorcycle trips, the quiet courage of getting his art out into the world. Trying to make the world a little better. Homey. All the pieces of a life are still calling to him.
“I hope wherever you’ve gone, Konnie, it’s open country and good tunes. I hope there’s time to finish what you started.“Miss you already x I love you.”
Along with the heartfelt words, Marx shared several sweet memories of their friendship.
His death comes after Bien-Stephen last posted to Instagram six days ago, where the carpenter shared a happy selfie of himself in the process of renovating his kitchen inside his Melbourne home.
Friends and fans flooded the post with heartbreaking tributes as news of his death came to light.
Podcaster Brittany Hockley said: “Konrad 💔❤️.”
YouTuber Marley Biyendolo said: “❤️ love you brother.”
Luke O’Halloran, one half of sibling comedic duo Luke and Sassy Scott said: “❤️❤️ love ya mate x.”
Photographer Theo Cottle said: “Best partner in crime I could of wished for. Love you my guy.”
In April, Bien-Stephen welcomed his “son” into his family — an adorable French bulldog named Meesh who celebrated his first birthday five weeks ago.
He also designed fashion items through his business Yeah Good Studio.
In 2023, he revealed he wouldn’t return to reality TV but had been accepted into NIDA’S acting program.
“My experience on The Bachelorette was very wholesome and very lovely, and then The Challenge was this mental mindf..k of a game,” he told Yahoo Lifestyle Australia.
“So after doing The Challenge I was like, ‘I’ll never do reality TV again’.
“I don’t know if reality TV is really my thing, but I really enjoy productions and I like being a part of that whole environment, from hair and makeup and filming to talking to the runners and the producers and all that sort of stuff. I would really love to do more scripted stuff or hosting.”
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If you or someone you know needs help, phone SANE Australia Helpline on 1800 18 SANE (7263).
