MAFS Alum Ryan de Nino Dead at 40: Castmate Says He Had a "Rough Go" After the Show

Ryan de Nino, a season 2 cast member of Married at First Sight, has passed away at age 40. His sister, Melissa, announced his death on Facebook on August 11. No cause of death has been shared, but friends and former castmates are speaking out about his struggles after his time on the show ended.

Former costar Ryan Ranellone remembers de Nino as a good guy who had a loyal group of friends. But he also says de Nino had a“rough go”with the way things were portrayed on television and the online negativity that followed. His marriage to Jessica Castro was a volatile one, including threats, a hot mic incident, and a restraining order. After the season aired, de Nino reportedly faced relentless online harassment and was paid only $1,200 per episode for the show.

The story is a heavy reminder that reality TV fame can come with a real cost, especially for contestants who don’t have a support system in place. Our thoughts are with de Nino’s family and friends during this difficult time. Have you ever watched a reality TV star struggle after their season and wondered what could have been done differently? Let us know in the comments.