Report: Gia Allemand's Cause of Death Was Suicide

(ABC)

Gia Allemand (Getty)

UPDATE: Allemand's rep has confirmed that the 29-year-old reality star died after a suicide attempt.

Allemand "passed away peacefully with her mother, boyfriend, and other life-long friends by her side. As a practicing Christian, Gia did receive the sacrament of last rites," the statement reads.

"Loved ones and fans will remember Gia Allemand as a caring woman who loved her family and was well-known for her compassion towards animals and mission to rescue homeless pets. Funeral arrangements will be forthcoming in another official statement once available. On behalf of the family, we sincerely ask for privacy at this time."

---

Former Bachelor contestant Gia Allemand passed away on Wednesday at the age of 29 following a reported suicide attempt.

TMZ says the reality star and model was found by her boyfriend, NBA player Ryan Anderson, on Monday evening and was rushed to the hospital. Allemand was taken off life support on Wednesday after suffering a "critical loss of brain and organ function." Her family and Anderson were reportedly with her when she died.

The details surrounding Allemand's hospitalization and death had previously been limited, but a statement from fellow Bachelor contestant Vienna Girardi seemed to suggest suicide:

"Gia was a beautiful girl and an unbelievable friend. I’m shocked and can’t believe what happened to her. She seemed so happy, but never know the demons people are fighting inside. I will never forget her and will miss my friend forever," Girardi said (via TMZ).

Allemand was a contestant on the 14th cycle of The Bachelor, which starred Jake Pavelka. She made it to the final three before being sent home and also appeared on the first two seasons of Bachelor Pad.

Many of Allemand's former co-stars sent their thoughts and prayers to the star when news of her hospitalization broke, including Pavelka, who wrote on Twitter, "Please pray for @GiaAllemand . . . A dear friend and one of the sweetest women I know . . . #powerofprayer."

Ex-Bachelor contestant Gia Allemand 'in critical condition in hospital following a serious emergency medical event'

In hospital: Gia Allemand, pictured in May, is currently in hospital in critical condition 

Bachelor contestant Gia Allemand is in 'critical condition' after being rushed to hospital on Monday night.

The 29-year-old, who appeared on season 14 of The Bachelor was taken to University Hospital in New Orleans following a 'serious medical event,' according to a statement released by her representative. 

The details of the medical emergency are currently not known, according to Radar.

Gia went on to find love after The Bachelor and has been dating NBA Basketball Player Ryan Anderson of the New Orleans Pelicans.

The sports star and her mother are by Gia's side in hospital, according to the website. 

'On behalf of the family, we kindly ask for privacy at this time,' her representative said. 

Gia nearly made it to the final on the Jake Pavelka season of the hit ABC show, losing out to Vienna Girardi.

Gia, a model and actress, later joined the cast of reality series Bachelor Pad in 2010 but only made it to the third episode. 

She always maintained that she entered the reality show in the genuine hope to find true love. 

'I truly went on the show to find love!' she told Emme magazine. 

'A few months before going on‘The Bachelor my boyfriend broke my heart. I couldn’t date or meet anyone.  I was in such a rut so my friends submitted me for The Bachelor.'

Ill health: The University Hospital in New Orleans where Gia is receiving treatment 

Back to reality: Gia Allemand appeared on both The Bachelor and Bachelor Pad