Reality show ‘Bachelor Japan’ star Maria Hamasaki dies in apparent suicide
- Her death was announced by Japanese streaming website operator AbemaTV, which produces the reality programme ‘Ikinari Marriage’ featuring Hamasaki
- The company said it will suspend the production and distribution of the show following the 23-year-old’s demise
Maria Hamasaki, a 23-year-old contestant on The Bachelor Japan reality show, died in a suspected suicide earlier this week, sources close to the matter said on Saturday.
Her death on Wednesday was announced by Japanese video streaming website operator AbemaTV Inc., which produces the reality programme Ikinari (Sudden) Marriage featuring Hamasaki among the cast.
The company said it will suspend the production and distribution of the show following her death.
Police do not suspect any foul play, according to the sources.
“We, the staff, offer our sincere condolences,” the streaming service said in a statement.
Ikinari Marriage follows a man and a woman who have been paired up and have to live 30 days together as a couple following a wedding. Season 4 of the programme, which features Hamasaki, had been available for streaming since August 1.