UPDATE: Former 'Bachelor' contestant Gia Allemand hospitalized in critical condition

Credit: ABC

UPDATE:

Yahoo! TV is reporting that Gia Allemand has died at age 29 of an apparent suicide. Allemand was found Monday night by her boyfriend, NBA basketball player Ryan Anderson, and put on life support with Anderson and her mother by her side.

A statement from Allemand's family reads in part: "Due to a critical loss of brain and organ function, life support was withdrawn today. Ms. Allemand passed away peacefully with her mother, boyfriend, and other lifelong friends by her side. As a practicing Christian, Gia did receive the sacrament of last rites."

"Loved ones and fans will remember Gia Allemand as a caring woman who loved her family and was well-known for her compassion towards animals and mission to rescue homeless pets."

"Funeral arrangements will be forthcoming in another official statement once available. On behalf of the family, we sincerely ask for privacy at this time."

Entertainment Weekly is reporting that 29-year-old Gia Allemand, a former contestant on ABC’s The Bachelor, has been admitted to a New Orleans hospital.

The reality star is in critical condition “following a serious emergency medical event” that occurred Monday night, according to a statement from her publicist.

Allemand was a contestant competing to win the heart of Jake Pavelka on the 14th season of the hit ABC reality series. Though she ultimately wasn't chosen by Pavelka, coming in third, Allemand would go on to join the cast of Bachelor Pad, yet another spin-off of the successful ABC franchise.

She currently works as a fitness instructor in Metairie, La. No further information on Allemand’s condition has been released.