Contestant on Naked and Afraid dies at age 35

On July 17, a competitor from two episodes of Discovery’s “Naked and Afraid” passed away. Melanie Rauscher, age 35, was discovered dead while watching for dogs in Prescott, Arizona. Her death has no recognized reason. Melanie Rauscher, 35, a competitor from the “Naked and Afraid” franchise series, was discovered dead on July 17 while watching dogs, TMZ reported .

According to the tabloid, the dog’s owners discovered her dead in their Prescott, Arizona, residence next to six cans of compressed air. Her cause of death is still a mystery.

She was hired for the 2017 Discovery Channel series “Naked and Afraid” as well as the 2018 spinoff “Naked and Afraid XL.”

A buddy of Rauscher and contestant on both shows, Jeremy McCaa, said PEOPLE : “We immediately bonded upon meeting. She was like the sister I never had; we grew closer than siblings and developed a unique connection.”

“She consistently placed others before herself. In the “Naked and Afraid” community, she was adored. She will be missed by all “Added he.

In an obituary for Rauscher, it was said that she had most recently worked at the Prescott VA Medical Center and had served in the US Navy aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt CVN-17 during the Iraq War.

“Melanie’s boisterous laugh will resound in the hearts and thoughts of her loved ones forever,” the obituary continued.

Instead of sending flowers to her loved ones, the obituary suggests donating funds to the PTSD Foundation of America , “an organization for which Melanie had a great dedication.”

In her death, according to Deadline the police made no reference of any foul play or drug use.

According to an Medical News Today report dated May 2022, “some people inhale the gas from air dusters to feel euphoric.” But they continued, “This could result in fatal adverse consequences.”

A request for comment from Insider was not immediately answered by the Discovery Channel or the Prescott Police Department.