The real world: Miami former student Sarah Becker has died. She was 52 years old.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of Sarah Becker’s passing,” an MTV spokesperson told People. “Our hearts are with his family and friends in this time of grief.”
According to TMZ, which first reported the news, the reality TV star died by suicide last week at her home in Illinois. She was living in the state at the time to care for sick family members, but had plans to return to California.
The world first met Becker in 1996 when she appeared as a housemate on Season 5 of the hit MTV reality show. The real worldset in Miami.
Becker was a 25-year-old comic book store employee from La Jolla, California, at the time, perhaps most memorable for her love of skateboarding or the time she brought home a puppy. She followed the sport and was reportedly dealing with a skateboarding injury before she died.
Your housemates in The real world: Miami included Dan Renzi, Melissa Padrón, Joe Patane, Cynthia Roberts, Flora Alekseyeun and Mike Lambert. During the season, the cast had to try to conceptualize and run a startup business with $50,000 in seed capital – but they failed.
Sarah Becker/Facebook
Alekseyeun, 52, posted a tribute to Becker on Instagram on Sunday, June 23, when news of his death broke.
“I’m beyond myself and saddened to hear that my roommate Sarah died. I can’t believe it. She was the most selfless person I knew. She was always kind and helpful to everyone,” Alekseyun wrote. “I haven’t spoken to her in years and never knew she was in trouble. My prayers go out to her family. RIP my roommate, my friend. May you skate with the angels and never feel pain again #therealworldmiami.”
Becker’s friend Daniel Norton remembered her in a Facebook post. “Sarah Becker was made of pure sunshine… Full of energy and positivity, you couldn’t help but feel her warmth in her presence. I am grateful for our adventures and laughs,” he wrote.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“Big hugs to the entire Wildstorm family!” he added, referring to a comic book company where Becker worked.
Renzi also shared a tribute to Becker on Sunday on Instagram, revealing that he and his ex- Real world costar had lost touch in the years since filming the show.
“Sarah and I haven’t spoken since the end of the show, so I don’t know anything about her struggles,” he wrote, before reflecting on their shared experience.
“The seven of us in that cast went through a bizarre, intense and sometimes traumatic experience together, and it creates a connection between people, even when they choose not to associate,” Renzi continued, adding, “All I can say is, it’s very sad.” .”
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, contact 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.
