Fans have been left reeling after news emerged that The Bachelorette star Charlie Newling had reportedly passed away at the age of 36.
The tragic incident occurred on Saturday night when his car plummeted off a 230-ft cliff in Dover Heights, Sydney, as confirmed by local authorities.
MailOnline reported that his car was found ablaze at the bottom of the cliff after concerned locals contacted the police. Currently, his death is not being treated as suspicious.
Charlie found fame on Australia’s 2018 series of The Bachelorette, which airs on Network 10 - with the US version airing on ABC. Fans of the show affectionately dubbed him "Mr. Perfect."
Just two months ago, Charlie celebrated the birth of his second child, a daughter, with his partner Kristal Taylor. The reality star also had a 13-year-old son from a previous relationship.
However, Charlie's journey in the public eye has been a turbulent one. His stint on The Bachelorette was fraught with controversy, as viewers critiqued him for being controlling toward Ali Oetjen, the show's bachelorette.
Charlie refused to introduce Ali to his family unless they were an "exclusive" couple. Following his exit from the show, he was seen getting into a brawl at a Sydney pub. Charlie explained that he had been drinking and celebrating with friends late at night when said brawl broke out against some bouncers.
In a startling revelation last September, Charlie was sentenced to 13 months in prison for sending threatening text messages to his stepfather.
The texts were chilling: "I'm going to kill him one day in front of you before I go," read one message. Another said, "You have no idea what I'm capable of but just know it's not going to be pretty." He served a month in custody before his sentencing and was ultimately ordered to serve the rest of his sentence in the community.
The court heard from Magistrate Ross Hudson that Charlie had a troubled past, marred by childhood trauma. His father became a paraplegic when Charlie was a teenager and passed away in 2018 due to a pain medication overdose.
Charlie also struggled with alcohol abuse. However, the magistrate stated that the threatening messages would have instilled "fear, torment, and horror" in his mother and stepfather.
Social media has been flooded with tributes to the late reality star. Fans took to Facebook and Instagram to express their sorrow.
"I hope his soul is finally at peace," one user posted. Danny Harris-Wolf, Charlie's co-star on The Bachelorette, also paid tribute, writing, "Oh geez, Charlie was a decent bloke to me."
Another fan penned: "Another young life lost - who knows what he may have contributed to the world. Deepest sympathy to his family."
A final commenter wrote: "Omg that’s so sad. Poor mum left to pick up the pieces. I simply can’t imagine."
This tragic incident adds a sorrowful chapter to Charlie's tumultuous life, a life that was marked by both highs and lows. Our condolences go out to his family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.
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