Sarah Becker, a cast member on Season 5 of MTV's hit reality TV show The Real World, has died. She was 52.
Becker's family confirmed the news to TMZ, saying that she died by suicide. She had recently moved from California to Illinois to care for family members and was struggling with her mental health in addition to recovering from a skateboarding accident, they said.
She worked at Wildstorm Comics in La Jolla before joining the reality show in 1996. Becker was known as a tomboy and described herself in a Real World promo as "a 19-year-old trapped in a 25-year-old's body."
Becker's time on the show was memorable for her side business delivering restaurant supplies, a bitter argument with her roommate, confronting another housemate, taking a trip to the Bahamas and bringing home a puppy named Leroy.
Her former castmates expressed their condolences via social media.
"I am beyond myself and sad to just hear that my (roommate) Sarah died," Flora Alekseyeun wrote on Instagram, calling Becker "kind," "selfless" and "helpful."
"I haven't spoken to her in years and never knew she was troubled. My prayers go out to her family. RIP my (roommate), my friend. May you skate with angels and never feel pain again."
"RIP roomy. I pray there's happiness for you on the other side," Cynthia Roberts said in her Instagram story alongside a recent photo of Becker.
"Sarah and I had not spoken since the end of our show, so I don't know anything about her struggles," Dan Renzi posted on Instagram. "The seven of us in that cast went through a bizarre, intense and sometimes traumatic experience together, and that creates a connection between people, even when they choose not to associate with each other. I can only say, it's very sad."
Joe Patane memorialised her on Facebook, praising how she "dedicated herself to becoming a life coach and eventually a licensed marriage and family therapist to help others, and perhaps deeper understand her own mental health challenges."
"Suicide should never be an option, but hopefully she is at peace, and those who knew and loved her will reach out for the care they need, like I must, to mourn, love, LIVE and thrive." – Los Angeles Times/Tribune News Service
Those contemplating suicide can reach out to the Mental Health Psychosocial Support Service (03-2935 9935/ 014-322 3392); Talian Kasih (15999/ 019-261 5999 on WhatsApp); Jakim’s family, social and community care centre (011-1959 8214 on WhatsApp); or Befrienders Kuala Lumpur (03-7627 2929/ email sam@befrienders.org.my/ befrienders centres in malaysia).
