Former cast member of MTV’s ‘Real World’ dies by suicide

Sarah Becker, who was a cast member of MTV’s “The Real World” during its fifth season in Miami, has died by suicide, according to reports.

The death of Becker, who was 52 years old, was first reported by TMZ. A family member tells TMZ that Becker died last week at her home in Illinois.

Becker was in Illinois assisting with the care of her mother and sister, both of whom are ill, TMZ reports. A family member says Becker had been struggling with her mental health in recent months but had planned to return to California.

Dan Renzi, a former castmate, posted on Instagram Sunday night that he had not spoken to Becker since the end of their time on the show in 1996, “so I don’t know anything about her struggles.”

“The seven of us in that cast went through a bizarre, intense and sometimes traumatic experience together and that creates a connection between people, even when they choose not to associate with each other,” Renzi wrote. “I can only say, it’s very sad.”

Another former castmate, Flora Alekseyeun, said on Instagram that Becker was “was the most selfless person I knew.”

“She was always kind and helpful to everyone,” Alekseyeun wrote. “I haven’t spoken to her in years and never knew she was troubled. My prayers go out to her family. RIP my roomate (sic), my friend. May you skate with angels and never feel pain again.”

“The Real World” debuted on MTV in 1992, with the show picking seven strangers in their teens or 20s to live in a home in a major city. Each season featured a different cast in a different city.