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Fans of TLC's "Next Great Baker" learned in December, that contestant and Sgt. Wesley Durden, 28, died in 2011. Later, the network confirmed previous local reports that the Iraq war veteran died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
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"TLC extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Sgt. Wesley Durden, who died Oct. 24. He will be warmly remembered by the cast and crew of 'Next Great Baker,'" the network released in a statement.
However, Durden isn't the first reality star who died by suicide. Many others have fallen under the bright light of reality television only to commit suicide after the television cameras leave.
The suicides may appear to be linked to the reality TV shows, but Robert Yufit, former president of the American Academy of Suicidology, said that may not be the case.
"My guess is that both of these people had major problems before appearing on the show," Yufit told CBS News in 2010. "I would almost bet that the show itself should not be held responsible. I would say say that the show might have tripped off something else that was going on in their lives."
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Other recent reality stars who died by suicide include:
Russell Armstrong (2011)
Russell Armstrong, estranged husband to "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" reality star Taylor Armstrong, was found hanged in his L.A. home in August 2011.
The marital problems became one of the popular story lines on the Bravo show. Weeks before his death, Russell sounded an alarm during an interview with People magazine.
"It got really overwhelming," Russell was quoted as telling the magazine. "When you get a TV show involved and all the pressure, it just takes it to a whole new level. ... We were pushed to extremes."
Taylor had filed for divorce from the 47 year old, claiming physical abuse.
Joseph Cerniglia (2010)
Three years after competing in the Fox reality show "Kitchen Nightmares" hosted by the tough-talking chef Gordon Ramsay, Joseph Cerniglia, 39, jumped to his death. Witnesses reported seeing a man jump from the George Washington Bridge in New York City, what official ruled as a suicide.
Cerniglia appeared in 2007 on the show that aims to rejuvenate failing restaurants.
