Bachelor Nation's Kaitlyn Bristowe, Nick Viall Pay Tribute To Late 'Bachelorette' Contestant Clint Arlis
Jan. 14 2022, Published 10:00 a.m. ET
Former Bachelorette contestant Clint Arlis has tragically died. He was only 34 years old.
Arlis was known for his appearance on the 11th season of the ABC hit show back in 2015 during Kaitlyn Bristowe's run as Bachelorette.
The devastating news was announced on Thursday, January 13, by family friend and Arlis' former wrestling coach, Scott Bayer, who penned a message via Twitter to pay tribute to the late architectural engineer.
"It is with a heavy heart and a sense of profound loss that we announce the death of one of the Batavia Wrestling Program's All-Time greats, 2005 graduate, Clint Arlis," Bayer wrote. "Clint was the beloved son of Coach Tom Arlis and his wife, Jamie, protective, loving older brother of his sister, Taylor, and the boyhood idol and best friend of his kid brother, Coach Logan Arlis."
"His legacies as a fierce competitor, tireless worker, a caring influence to younger Batavia wrestlers, a devoted friend and a loving son and brother will resonate far beyond his days in our presence," he continued later in his series of tweets. "On behalf of all of us in the Batavia Wrestling family, we send our deepest and most sincere condolences to the Arlis family during this period [of] unimaginable heartbreak and grief."
Bristowe also addressed Arlis' unexpected passing in an Instagram video, posted on Friday, January 14, where she broke the sad news to her followers.
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"This is an Instagram Story I did not think I'd be doing tonight," she explained in the clip, per E! News. "Clint, who was on my season of The Bachelorette, I'm gonna say tragically, he's tragically passed. 34 years old. I'm not sure what happened, how it happened."
"Even though things didn't end on the best terms for us, from his time on the show to today, I have heard nothing but incredible things about that person. From his peers, his students, his coaches, his teachers, his friends, his family, Clint was very well respected in his world," she added.
Arlis was eliminated during the third week of Bristowe's season after rumors began circulating that he was not there for the right reasons.
Former co-star Nick Viall, who appeared on Bristowe's season alongside Arlis, also publicly addressed the news of his shocking passing with a tweet on Thursday.
"Just heard about the passing of Clint Arlis," Viall began his message. "I got a chance to get know Clint a little after our time on Kaitlyns season and I always enjoy are time and conversations. A very kind, unique, and talented person who was taken from this world far too soon. RIP Clint."
No further details have yet been revealed regarding the manner and cause of Arlis' death.