Bachelorette’s Josh Seiter Is Alive, Says Hacker Responsible For Death Hoax

Josh Seiter, a contestant in the 2015 season of ABC’s “The Bachelorette,” is the latest victim of a celebrity death hoax after revealing his Instagram account had been hacked.

A statement posted to his Instagram on Monday purported to be from his family, and claimed the 36-year-old had died.

“It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share the tragic news of Joshua’s unexpected passing,” the hoax statement read.

“As all who knew him can attest, Joshua was an incredibly bright light in an increasingly dim world. His fearless voice and indomitable spirit helped thousands of people in their darkest moments feel just a little less alone.

“Although our heartache at Joshua’s passing pains us beyond measure, we find comfort in knowing that he is finally at peace. We hope and pray that his spirit can continue to live on in the pictures and words on this page, which we will leave up for the time being. While we do that, we would kindly ask for privacy as we grieve,” the statement read.

Seiter’s appearance on Kaitlyn Bristowe’s season of “The Bachelorette” was brief; he was eliminated in the first week. But he has found a following on social media, where he discusses his mental health journey.

The hacker included mental health resources in the hoax statement, implying Seiter’s mental health struggles contributed to his death.

Seiter, who came out as bisexual earlier this year, has been open about the fact that he has attempted suicide in the past, and struggles with bipolar disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder.

Last week, Seiter posted a photo on Instagram with the caption, “Surviving depression and anxiety one day at a time with a smile.”

Asked whether it is valuable for those who are struggling to open up about their mental health, especially those who are in the public eye, licensed therapist Julie Mangus said yes.

“Yes it is always in valuable to open up to others about the reality of the pain we are living in, and it is so incredibly hard to do so. Why? Because it allows us the possibility of healing,” Mangus said.

“If we do not open up, no matter how famous we are, we have no hope for healing. We must feel in order to heal from our pain. We heal in community and with others,” she said.

“We heal from trauma by sharing our story of what happened to us with someone else, having that truth be witnessed by another and then by allowing ourselves the gift of grieving whatever pain we have suffered,” Mangus said.

“One way we can start the process of healing is by not abandoning our own hurt, and sharing it openly and vulnerably is one way to show up for ourselves,” Mangus said. “It is my hope that Seiter’s vulnerability will allow someone else to take the first step in their healing journey. His courage and his willingness to share his story can make all the difference for someone else.”