"Naked & Afraid" Contestant Melanie Rauscher Found Dead, Reality Star Was 35 Years Old

BYHayley Hynes4.4K Views
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RIP Melanie.

Reality star Melanie Rauscher was discovered dead under mysterious circumstances earlier this month, Page Six reports.

The 35-year-old was dogsitting in Arizona while homeowners were out of town, Prescott Police Department Corey Kasun confirmed to TMZ. Once they returned to their house, the family discovered the Naked and Afraid alum dead in their guest room.

"Naked & Afraid" Contestant Melanie Rauscher Found Dead, Reality Star Was 35 Years Old
@NakedAndAfraid/Twitter

Rauscher's corpse is said to have been located near several cans of dust cleaner containing compressed air. At this time, it remains unclear if she consumed the cans' contents.

Since the body was discovered on July 17th, authorities have determined that there were no signs of foul play or drug paraphernalia. The deceased didn't leave a suicide note behind, and the dog she was watching over prior to her death was fine.

Rauscher competed on Discovery Channel's nude adventure series back in 2013 and went on to star in the spinoff show Naked and Afraid XL just two years later.

"Naked & Afraid" Contestant Melanie Rauscher Found Dead, Reality Star Was 35 Years Old
@NakedAndAfraid/Twitter

After word of her passing was confirmed, past co-stars and fans of the show expressed their condolences on social media.

"She came into my life in a way I can’t explain. We had such a chemistry on the show and it blossomed into a friendship that goes beyond words could describe," former castmate and close friend Jeremy McCaa wrote while remembering his "swamp wife."

"Her laughter was one of a kind. Her friendship was amazing. Even tho we wasn’t blood, we was family. I could always count on her. We had so many moments when we would just be there for each other."

His tribute concluded, "I’ll see you again one day. The world lost an amazing person. Please keep her family and friends in your prayers. See you again my Queen."

RIP Melanie Rauscher. Check back in with HNHH later for any updates on the late woman's cause of death.

[Via]


About The Author
Hayley Hynes is the former Weekend Managing Editor of HotNewHipHop, she stepped down after two years in 2024 to pursue other creative opportunities but remains on staff part-time to cover music, gossip, and pop culture news. Currently, she contributes similar content on Blavity and 21Ninety, as well as on her personal blog where she also offers tarot/astrology services. Hayley resides on the western side of Canada, previously spending a year in Vancouver to study Fashion Marketing at Blanche Macdonald Centre and Journalism at Mount Royal University in Calgary before that. She's passionate about helping others heal through storytelling, and shares much more about her life on Instagram @hayleyhynes.
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