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Reality television personality Konrad Bien-Stephen has died aged 35.
The star, known for appearances on The Bachelorette Australia and The Challenge Australia, is understood to have passed away in Melbourne on Monday night.
Bien-Stephen’s management confirmed his death in a statement Thursday, asking for privacy and respect during a difficult time.
‘It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Konrad Bien-Stephen,’ the statement read.
‘We ask that you respect the privacy of their family during this incredibly difficult time. No further information will be shared at this stage. Our thoughts are with all who loved him.
‘We ask that media and the public respect the privacy of his family, refrain from speculation, and treat his memory with dignity, not as a headline. He will be deeply missed.’
His former partner, Abbie Chatfield -a prominent Australian media personality, television host, radio presenter, political commentator, and podcaster – led tributes after the shock news.
She dated Bien-Stephen for nearly a year between 2021 and 2022. She shared an emotional statement on Instagram, revealing she had known about his passing for several days.
‘I have seen the news of Konrad’s death and I have known for a few days now. Thank you to the people reaching out to me to let me know or send their support,’ she wrote.
‘Obviously this is an incredibly difficult and strange time for me, and I am devastated for Konrad, his friends and his family. And I am heartbroken too.’
She went on to urge compassion and support for those closest to him.
‘Please send love and support to Konrad’s friends, family, and loved ones. He has many, many people who love him and who he loves too. I am heartbroken for everyone in his life as I know how much he meant to them, and I’m sure to a lot of you, who never even met him.
‘Konrad was such a kind and sweet person to everyone. A very caring man who deserved to live a very, very long life. I am so heartbroken that he doesn’t get to do that. And that his loved ones don’t get to experience that full, long life with him.’
Chatfield also used her platform to encourage people to check in on one another.
‘I know that Konrad would want people to share love and kindness and if you do anything today, please check in on your mates, do an act of kindness, talk to a friend. Anything,’ she added, before concluding: ‘Rest in peace, Konrad.’
Bien-Stephen, who worked as a carpenter, rose to public attention through reality television but had recently begun shifting his focus towards acting, enrolling at the National Institute of Dramatic Art in Melbourne in 2023.
He first gained recognition on The Bachelorette Australia in 2021, where he competed for the affection of Brooke Blurton. He progressed to the final four before being sent home.
In the months following the show, Bien-Stephen entered a widely discussed open relationship with Abbie Chatfield. The pair ultimately went their separate ways in 2022, shortly before he departed for Buenos Aires to film The Challenge Australia.
During filming, he shared a brief romantic connection with fellow contestant Megan Marx.
Speaking at the time, Bien-Stephen emphasised that he had been single upon entering the show.
‘Abbie and I had broken up a month before going in the house [to film] so I was very much single,’ he told The Daily Telegraph.
After his stint on the show, Bien-Stephen was later romantically linked to singer-songwriter Thelma Plum.
Speculation surrounding their relationship first surfaced in December 2022, when they were seen attending the National Gallery of Victoria Gala together. It is unclear when they split, though it is believed they were not together at the time of his death.
His cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
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