Taken far too soon. RIP

Former Bachelor contestant Hailey Merkt has sadly passed away at the age of 31 following a courageous battle with leukemia. Her passing was confirmed through a heartfelt post on her personal Instagram page, which included a picture of Hailey and an emotional tribute to her life.

A Heartfelt Goodbye

The message shared on her Instagram stated:

“It is with broken hearts we share that our beloved Hailey has passed away after a courageous fight for her life. Hailey went on this journey with unimaginable bravery, kindness, and selflessness. Her bravery, determination, and will to live came through in the face of every deadline the doctors gave her. She chose to spend her last moments with family and friends doing what she loved most, with no regrets.”

Hailey was remembered as a vibrant and engaging individual, described as “highly entertaining, never dull, and fully present in the moment.” The post continued to celebrate her spirit:

“Hailey embraced life with an unmatched zest; her beautiful spirit has touched countless lives. Hailey will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Her love, laughter, and energetic spirit will always be remembered in our hearts. We are sad about her death, but it makes us feel better to know that her spirit will live on in everyone she inspired. Rest in peace, Hailey.”

Community Support

In the wake of her passing, Hailey’s grieving family has established a GoFundMe campaign to help support them during this challenging time. The campaign has been met with overwhelming generosity, raising more than 112,208 Canadian dollars, and will remain open until August 10.

Hailey’s Journey on The Bachelor

Hailey first appeared on The Bachelor in Season 21 (2017), competing for Nick Viall’s affection. She made a memorable impression but was eliminated in the second week of the competition.

Remembering Hailey

Many of Hailey’s fellow Bachelor contestants and friends took to social media to express their condolences and share memories of their time with her.

Danielle Maltby, who appeared alongside Hailey in Season 21, wrote:

“I feel so lucky to know your laugh and thankful to have met the kindest, most delightful person in the strangest places. Really appreciate your friendship, both online and off. Hey girl, don’t worry about what a force she is. So much love to all your people.”

Raven Gates expressed her sadness, saying:

“Oh my goodness!!! That makes me so sad to hear this. I was really hoping she would get better shortly. You can relax, Hailey. You’ll be remembered always.”

Ashley Stern also shared her fond memories:

“I feel lucky to have known such a beautiful solid soul and had such lovely conversations with her. I’ll never forget you, Hailey.”

Dominique Alexis added:

“I hope you are in a beautiful, peaceful place, my love. I can’t believe I won’t see you again, but I’ll treasure every memory.”

Hailey’s Fight Against Leukemia

Hailey was open about her battle with leukemia, sharing both her triumphs and challenges with her followers. In April, she celebrated being “leukemia free,” bringing hope to her fans and loved ones. Unfortunately, her condition took a turn for the worse three months later.

A message on her GoFundMe page revealed the heartbreaking timeline of her illness:

“After the bone marrow transplant had taken, she was told she had nine months to not even think about cancer, but in truth, she only had 6 weeks before she got the terrible news that leukemia cells were back and moving fast. Her first reaction was to say, ‘I don’t care about myself anymore, but I can’t bear being the cause of so much pain for the people I love.’”

Throughout her fight, Hailey bravely shared pictures and videos documenting her journey. In October 2023, she posted a photo of herself smiling during treatment, calling it a “rare moment.” Her Instagram feed was filled with selfies, photos of her dog, modeling shots, and glimpses into her daily life, capturing her resilient spirit and love for life.

Hailey Merkt’s passing is a profound loss, and she will be remembered for her strength, positivity, and the joy she brought to those around her.