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'Love Island' Star Sophie Gradon Said to Have Died by Suicide at Age 32

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Editor's Note

If you experience suicidal thoughts or have lost someone to suicide, the following post could be potentially triggering. You can contact the Crisis Text Line by texting “START” to 741741.

Sophie Gradon, a former contestant on the British reality TV show “Love Island” is said to have died by suicide at the age of 32, according to OK!. On Thursday, Gradon’s boyfriend Aaron Armstrong shared a photo of the pair, confirming her death. The photo was captioned: “I will never forget that smile I love you so so much baby your my world forever ever and always.”

Though the official cause of death has not yet been released, Gradon’s former castmates have spoken out about the need to talk more about mental health.

“Isn’t it crazy how someone so stunning, so smiley and appeared so happy can feel no way out. The world we live in behind social media,” Katie Salmon, a fellow “Love Island” contestant and Gradon’s ex-girlfriend, shared on Twitter. “The world has failed you beautiful. I’m heartbroken for you soph to have felt this pain. I wish there was more help out there. Your smile will be remembered forever.”

“Trust me when I say mental is not f*cking spoke about enough,” costar Olivia Buckland posted on her Instagram story. “For me, for Sophie, for my family and friends and strangers who suffer. We will not let mental health be a stigma.”

If this news is hard for you, know you are not alone — and there is help for people who feel suicidal. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text “START” to 741-741. Head here for a list of crisis centers around the world.

Originally published: June 22, 2018
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