Former 'Bachelor' contestant Hailey Merkt dead at 31 after cancer battle

(NEXSTAR) – Hailey Merkt, a contestant who appeared on the 21st season of the ABC reality series “The Bachelor,” has died after a battle with leukemia, her loved ones announced Tuesday.

Merkt passed away Friday at the age of 31.

“It is with broken hearts we share that our beloved Hailey has passed away after a courageous fight for her life,” reads a message posted to her Instagram page. “Hailey faced this journey with unimaginable strength, grace, and selflessness. 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. “

Merkt, from Vancouver, British Columbia, appeared on Nick Viall’s season of “The Bachelor” in 2017. She was eliminated within the first few weeks of the competition.

“Cheers to all of the lovely people that are STILL rooting for me, even after being sent home,” she wrote on X (then Twitter) after her final episode aired. “You all know how to make a girl smile.”

Hailey Merkt appears with Nick Viall in a screenshot from the 21st season of ABC’s “The Bachelor.” (Rick Rowell/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)

Following her leukemia diagnosis years later, Merkt began sharing updates of her treatment and progress on Instagram. In April 2024, she announced in a GoFundMe update that she was “leukemia free” after an experimental treatment, though she still had “a ton of healing” ahead of her.

In an update to that same GoFundMe fundraiser upon Merkt’s passing, it was revealed that her cancer had returned only six weeks after what was initially believed to be a successful bone marrow transplant.

“Her first reaction was to say, ‘I don’t care about myself anymore, but I can’t bear being the cause of so much pain for the people I love,’” according to the GoFundMe update.

A number of Merkt’s close friends have shared their condolences and memories on social media, including several fellow “Bachelor” alums.

“@HaileyMerkt was such a gem, the kindest soul, so fun to be around,” wrote Lacey Palumbo, a contestant on Merkt’s season (where she went by Lacey Mark).

“I’m stunned by this news,” remarked Raven Gates, who also appeared on season 21. “@HaileyMerkt and I connected immediately night 1 of the bachelor mansion. I was so hoping for her recovery. Rest easy, Hailey.”