Love Island returned to our screen last summer after a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic—but many heartbreaking tragedies took place before then. The following three people were all tied to Love Island but unfortunately passed away by suicide.
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Caroline Flack
The most recent and probably most heavily covered story by the media, Love Island's former host, Caroline Flack, was found dead at her home in East London in 2020. The TV presenter had been in legal trouble after being charged with assault by beating her boyfriend at the time. She subsequently decided to step down as host of the show in order to not let her personal life interfere with the upcoming series.
Just three weeks before appearing on trial, a lawyer of the Flack family confirmed that she had taken her own life. Caroline Flack had admitted previously having struggled with mental health issues. Laura Whitmore ultimately stepped in to take on the hosting duties of Love Island 2020 and 2021.
Mike Thalassitis
The tragic suicide of former islander Mike Thalassitis came in 2019 after he was found hanging from a tree in a park in Edmonton, North London. The footballer came to prominence when he appeared on the show in 2017.
At the time of his death, large amounts of alcohol and cocaine were found in this body. Friends close to Thalassitis said that the he was distraught and overwhelmed after the loss of his nan, owing large sums of money and a heartbreak after endings things with Megan McKenna.
Sophie Gradon
The former Miss Great Britain 2009 and star of Love Island 2016, was found dead in her parents' home after being found hung in their living room by her then-boyfriend and his brother. A substantial amount of drugs and alcohol were found in her body at the time of her death.
At the onset of the investigation, it was believed that Gradon had not died by suicide but by murder instead. Ultimately, this theory was dropped after further evidence was released indicating that she did indeed take her own life.
