Trigger Warning: death, mental health. Lifeline: 13 11 14
Former Bachelorette star Konrad Bien-Stephen has passed away aged 35. The reality TV star rose to fame on Brooke Blurton’s season of The Bachelorette and was also known for dating Australian media personality and former The Bachelor contestant Abbie Chatfield in 2021.
In a touching tribute and call to action to fans, Abbie revealed on Instagram on Thursday, April 2, that she knew about Konrad’s death “days ago” and encourages people to “check in on [their] mates.”
How did Konrad Bien-Stephen die?
The chief executive of talent agency JRM Group, Rebecca Townsing, confirmed Konra’s death and noted he will be “deeply missed.”
“It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Konrad Bien-Stephen,” the statement read.
“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.”
No details have been confirmed about how the 35-year-old passed away.
Konrad last posted on Instagram six days ago, where he was pictured smiling at the renovation site of his Carlton home in Melbourne.
Since his sudden passing, friends and fans have flooded the post with heartbreaking tributes.
Abbie Chatfield’s heartbreaking message for fans
Abbie Chatfield posted a statement about already knowing the news for several days.
In the Instagram story, she thanked fans and friends for “reaching out” and confirmed that she has “known the news for a few days now.”
Abbie also wrote about what an “incredibly difficult” time it is for her right now despite not having spoken to Konrad in years.
She also ends the post with a call to action, asking people to check in on friends and family who may be struggling.
“I know that Konrad would want people to share love and kindness and if you do anything today, please check in on your mats, do an act of kindness, talk to a friend,” she wrote. “Anything.”
“Rest in peace Konrad.”
The pair dated for 10 months between 2021 and 2022.
Touching tributes have poured in for Konrad Bien-Stephen
From Australian radio host and presenter Brittany Hockley to Cyrell Paule from MAFS and I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, fans, media personalities, and friends alike are all sending their love and respect online.
Konrad’s close friend and former The Bachelor star Megan Marx posted a touching tribute for Konrad on Instagram.
On the post, she wrote: “Konrad has stepped 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.
“Miss you already x I love you.”
Who is Konrad Bien-Stephen?
Konrad Bien-Stephen was a contestant on Brooke Blurton’s season of The Bachelorette as well as the ex of former The Bachelor star and media personality Abbie Chatfield.
Konrad also competed on The Challenge Australia.
Despite rising to fame from reality TV, Konrad was a carpenter by trade and often shared happy selfies of him renovating.
He also expressed his love for the entertainment industry outside of reality tv.
In 2023, he revealed he was accepted in NIDA’s acting program in an interview with Yahoo Lifestyle Australia.
“My experience on The Bachelorette was very wholesome and very lovely, and then The Challenge was this mental mindf–k of a game,” he said. “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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