Sophie Gradon, a reality star who appeared on the British dating show Love Island, was found dead at a residence in Medburn, Ponteland this past Wednesday.
She was 32 years old.
“At about 8:27 p.m. yesterday (20 June) police attended a property in Medburn, Ponteland, where sadly a 32-year-old woman was found deceased,” Northumbria Police told BBC News in a statement Thursday, adding:
“There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding her death. A report will now be prepared for the coroner.”
Gradon’s cause of death is unknown at the moment.
The late Love Island contest’s boyfriend, Aaron Armstrong, also paid touching tribute to Sophie on Facebook, writing the following:
“I will never forget that smile I love you so so much baby your my world forever ever and always.”
Armstrong included the following selfie with Gradon along with this heartwrenching caption:
Love Island is hosted by Caroline Flack and it plops single people down in a luxurious paradise, with the hope that they will find romance with each other there.
Throughout the series, Flack delivers challenges, twists and surprise announcements to the stars, each meant to test the relationships between those “stranded” on this island.
To remain on the program, contestants must couple up and win the hearts of the public, as viewers ultimately decide who stays on Love Island and who goes.
Flack, meanwhile, responded to Gradon’s passing on Twitter:
“So very sad . Such a beautiful soul …. such a beautiful smile …thoughts and love with friends and family @sophiegradon.”
And the series itself had this to say:
“The whole ITV2 and Love Island team are profoundly saddened to hear the news about Sophie, and our deepest sympathies and thoughts go to her family and friends.”
Gradon, who had over 400,000 Instagram followers, appeared on Love Island in 2016.
So did Alex Bowen, who said on social media that Sophia was “a beautiful person with a beautiful soul,” while Kady McDermott, another 2016 participant, said she was “absolutely heartbroken” over this news.
The 32-year old, it’s worth noting, was also crowned Miss Newcastle and Miss Great Britain in 2009.
The organizers of the latter beauty pageant said on Twitter they were “sending all our love” to Gradon’s family. And we are doing the same.
Meanwhile, an on-screen tribute was featured prior to Thursday’s episode of the show:
Other reality television stars have also mourning Gradon online, with Mario Falcone from The Only Way is Essex saying he was left “speechless” by the news.
We send our condolences to Gradon’s friends, family members and loved ones.
May she rest in peace.
