A horrifying news has come from the entertainment world today:
Sarah Baker, a main cast member of the fifth season of MTV’s The Real World, has died.
She was 52 years old.
According to a family member who spoke to TMZ about the tragedy, Baker died by suicide At his home in Illinois early last week.
She moved to the area in 2023 to care for some loved ones, but plans to move back to California at some point in the near future.
“Sarah Baker was made of pure sunshine,” friend Daniel Norton wrote on Facebook on June 23, adding:
“Full of energy and positivity, you can’t stand in her presence and not feel her warmth. I’m grateful for our adventures and laughter.”
When Baker was featured on the Miami season of The Real World show, she dabbled in comic books, enjoyed skateboarding and memorably brought a puppy to the group’s residence.
She was 25 years old at the time (in 1996) and starred in the popular series alongside her housemates Dan Renzi, Melissa Padron, Joe Paten, Cynthia Roberts, Flora Aleksyon, and Mike Lambert.
This season made its mark on the franchise, as it was the first time the cast had an assignment to complete while living together.
The artists were tasked with creating a startup business with the help of $50,000, yet they were ultimately unable to complete the task successfully and/or in the long term.
However, going forward, nearly all versions of The Real World offered equal opportunities to their stars.
Recently, while trying to care for her ailing sister and mother, Baker was reportedly involved in a skateboarding accident, which further complicated her mental health struggles.
“RIP Rumi,” Roberts wrote alongside a photo of Baker on her Instagram Story on June 23. “I pray there’s happiness for you on the other side.”
Meanwhile, Alekseyun revealed he hasn’t spoken to Sarah since the 1996 season aired … but he does have a lot of fond memories with the former reality star.
“She was the most selfless person I knew,” Flora wrote on Instagram on June 23. “She was always kind and helpful to everyone. I haven’t spoken to her in years and I never knew she was troubled. My prayers are with her family.”
We offer our condolences to the friends, family members and loved ones of Sarah Baker. May her soul rest in peace.
If you or someone you know needs help, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.
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