'Love Island' Star Mike Thalassitis Allegedly Dies by Suicide at Age 26

Mike “Muggy Mike” Thalassitis, former contestant on the British reality TV show “Love Island,” allegedly died by suicide Saturday morning at the age of 26, according to multiple reports. His management team confirmed his death to the BBC.

Though the official cause of death has not yet been released, Thalassitis’ former castmate, Montana Brown, posted to Instagram about him being in a “dark place” a few months ago and feeling upset that she couldn’t have helped him. She wrote:

Now I know you were in a dark place a few months back and I thought you were past it and that you were on the up… I just don’t know how I didn’t notice… I am absolutely heart broken that I couldn’t help you.

Brown opened up about feeling angry — something many suicide loss survivors experience after losing a loved one.

“Firstly, I’m so angry at you for doing this because you are so loved by so many people,” she wrote. “I just wish you picked up the phone so we could’ve sorted this out. This didn’t need to happen…”

You can read her full post below.

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I’ve thought long and hard about what I want to say, I’ve woken up and unfortunately this wasn’t just a nightmare so this is to you Mr Thala. Firstly, I’m so angry at you for doing this because you are so loved by so many people and I just wish you picked up the phone so we could’ve sorted this out. This didn’t need to happen????. Secondly, it annoys me that you were so misunderstood. “Muggy Mike” was your stage name and let’s face it, the ladies did fall at your feet BUT everyone had this impression of you and you were literally the opposite you were one of a kind. Mike, you were so thoughtful, caring and loyal to me and all your friends, you know some of my darkest secrets and I know yours. I could always rely on you to tell me when I’m being a nut job to Elliott and tell me to get off his case ???? and I always told you to stop partying too much and getting too pissed???????? I just wish people had a tiny glimpse of what the real you was like. You sent me a Christmas card in the post this year, you checked up on me everyday at the beginning of this year when I was struggling myself, you really were the kindest, sweetest person and I am so devastated and crushed that I’ll never get to see you again. Now I know you were in a dark place a few months back and I thought you were past it and that you were on the up. I got you to buy The Magic, you wrote down your gratitudes, you had the pictures of your family in your car to remind you to be grateful for them. I just don’t know how I didn’t notice… I am absolutely heart broken that I couldn’t help you. Your phone call a few days ago to tell me that I’m smashing the swimwear, you’re proud of me and that you’re grateful for my friendship is the only thing that’s keeping me going right now. At least you knew how much you meant to me. I will help open your cafe with Scott because you worked so hard on it so don’t you worry! I can’t imagine how much pain you must have been in to do this, and the fact that you went through this on your own breaks my heart. I’m so so sorry I couldn’t do more to help you. I have so much love for you Mike and I will never forget you. Sleep tight darling and I miss you so much already ????

A post shared by M O N T A N A B R O W N (@montanarosebrown1) on Mar 17, 2019 at 2:25am PDT

This isn’t the first time tragedy has affected the “Love Island” family. Last year, “Love Island” star Sophie Gradon reportedly died by suicide. Four days after her funeral, Gradon’s boyfriend Aaron Armstrong died at age 25.

On Twitter, Gradon’s mother shared a message to Thalassitis’ family.

To #MikeThalassitis and his bereft Family.
Thinking of you, wishing you hope in the midst of sorrow, comfort in the midst of pain. Love in your darkest hours. ????

I'm walking the same road as the inconsolabe Mother of #SophieGradon

— Anastacia Beverhousn (@MommaDebs) March 16, 2019

In the wake of both Gradon, Armstrong and Thalassitis’ deaths, some have suggested the producers of “Love Island” need to do more to protect the well-being of cast members.

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.