The Bachelorette alums Kaitlyn Bristowe and Nick Viall have reacted to Clint Arlis' unexpected passing at age 34.
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Clint's younger sister Taylor Lulek called Clint's death "a great loss" and said Wednesday on Facebook her family is trying to cope, and now people are coming forward to express their sympathy and condolences.
Kaitlyn, who sent Clint home during Week 3 of The Bachelorette's eleventh season, took to her Instagram Stories early Friday to pay tribute to Clint after hearing the shocking news.
"This is an Instagram Story I did not think I'd be doing tonight," Kaitlyn said in a video from her bed while she's touring for Dancing with the Stars.
"But 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."
"All I want to say is that from knowing him on the show," she continued, "even though things didn't end on the best terms for us, from his time on the show 'till 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."
Kaitlyn and Clint enjoyed a sexy underwater photo shoot during an early-season solo date before Kaitlyn eliminated him from The Bachelorette due to speculation he was on the show for the wrong reasons.
Clint had been portrayed as a villain because of his hilarious bromance with fellow bachelor JJ Lane. They had coined the phrase "Villains Gotta Vill" and even released merchandise with that slogan on it after their stint on The Bachelorette.
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"And it is an absolute tragedy of what's happened, and I just don't know much right now, and it's none of my business," Kaitlyn noted in her video.
"This Instagram Story is literally to just say to anyone who knows him who might follow me that I am so sorry. It's such a huge loss and I'm honestly just beside myself with this news."
RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELORETTE' COUPLES NOWKaitlyn suggested she's going to be there for any of her fans who are mourning Clint's death.
"So if there's anything I can do -- I don't know what I could do, but anything at all, please let me know," Kaitlyn said.
"And let's all just say a prayer or be there for Clint's family during this time. Gosh, I'm just so sorry."
And Nick Viall, who competed against Clint for Kaitlyn's heart before becoming The Bachelor star for Season 21, also took to social media to pay his respects.
Nick and Clint apparently developed a friendship after their appearance on the show.
"Just heard about the passing of Clint Arlis. I got a chance to get know Clint a little after our time on Kaitlyns season and I always enjoy are time and conversations," Nick tweeted on Thursday.
"A very kind, unique, and talented person who was taken from this world far too soon. RIP Clint."
Clint had worked as a project manager for Lendlease for over five years prior to his passing.
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Clint had also been a longtime mentor for ACE Mentor Chicago, helping high school students comprised primarily of minorities, women, and low-income populations.
Clint had also volunteered for the Junior Achievement of Chicago program, which teaches socioeconomic topics to elementary and middle school students in Chicago's impoverished school districts, for five years.
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About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
