'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.
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.
Header Image via @mike_thala Instagram