Bad Girls Club’s Linsey Berardi dies at age 22

The Oxygen network has confirmed the shocking news that former Bad Girls Club star Linsey “Jade” Berardi has died at the age of 22. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Linsey ‘Jade’ Berardi, who appeared in Bad Girls Club Season 12,” the statement from Oxygen reads. “Our deepest sympathy and heartfelt thoughts go out to her family, friends and fans.”

The rumors first began to circulate that Linsey had passed on April 2, leading some to hope it was just a terrible April Fool’s Day prank, but soon there was confirmation from Linsey’s friends and cast mates.

When you wake up to a text at 3:15AM saying someone you were once close with passed away and you never got to say sorry for your last arguement RIP @linsey.jade ; just when you think your week can't get any worse. I wake up to a text right before work. You were always the life of the party; you were the free spirit; and you faught a lot of battles! Most of people only know you from The Bad Girls Club but We go back to 2011 when Pacha was fun & we were all in sorts of trouble! You're in a better place now babygirl; God just took you too soon #RIPLinsey #linseyjade #friends #wehadourupsanddowns #partygirls #webster #pacha #brooklyn #funnytrainrides #wewerethelifeoftheparty #riplove

A photo posted by αℓуѕѕαмαяιє σятιz (@a_mariie1126) on Apr 2, 2015 at 6:47am PDT

The obvious questions a number of fans are asking is how Linsey Berardi died, especially given that she was so young. The Bad Girls Club Tea Instagram account revealed the reason for her death after being informed by Linsey’s friends, but they later deleted that information after Linsey’s family requested that it be removed. The group’s Facebook page responded to a commenter that claimed they started the rumor that Linsey had overdosed by writing:

No we didn’t start the rumor. Andrea BGC9 actually posted it on her comments and later deleted it. And since we have such a large following on instagram personal friends of linsey came to us with photos of text messages explaning what happened to her. But we later deleted the caption out of respect to the family since they didn’t want it out there.

Linsey’s reported boyfriend Rich posted a series of photos of himself and Linsey together on Instagram and expressed his grief about her passing. When someone commented that she had died of an overdose, he wrote, “She didn’t overdose.. Idk who said that but it’s not true.” When pressed about it, Rich added, “She had health issues.. Her family should be the ones to give out that information if they decide to do so.”

Rich’s statements seem supported by Linsey as early last month she posted on her Facebook page that she was “going away due to health problems” and that she would be away “for some time:”

Hey guys . Just letting anyone know I’m going away due to health problems tomorrow morning for some time so if I’m not responding to texts, I’m not ignoring u, I’ll see them when I get home!

Eight days later Linsey was posting again on Facebook, including posts about Kurt Cobain and Jim Morrison, as well as inspirational messages from Brendon Burchard. A friend asked if she was back, and Linsey wrote “Yes.” When asked how she was doing, Linsey stated, “I’m hanging In there still in pain.”

On March 12 Linsey posted, “im bored and sick. listening to pucsifer. hi.” In the comments section she explained, “I just got out of the hospital,” before adding, “not talking about it” and “it was a nightmare.”

Linsey’s funeral was reportedly held on Thursday with a memorial service set for Sunday.

Here is a Linsey Berardi tribute video posted recently to YouTube with some of her scenes from BCG 12, including her infamous promo spot in which she mistakenly thought Chicago was in Boston:

And we’ll wrap this post up with messages about Linsey’s passing from friends and Bad Girls Club cast members:

just got word one of my Bgc sisters passed away im so saddened by this devastating news. My deepest condolences and prayers are with her family and friends at this time. my heart is breaking she was so young. PS don't even think about coming on this post to be insensitive or rude I promise you will regret it. #riplinsey #RIPANGEL

A photo posted by Tanisha Thomas (@iamtanishathomas) on Apr 2, 2015 at 9:07am PDT

My condolences go out to Linsey from #BGC12 & her family

— BRITT (@aboutBrittany) April 2, 2015

RIP To Linsey.. She really was a sweet girl

— Hailey (@Hailey_Baebee) April 2, 2015

prayers for Linsey's family. too many gone too soon.

— ig: insideaysia (@InsideAysia) April 2, 2015

This can't be true @Misslinseyjade Please tell me you're still here If this is an April Fools Joke It Ain't Funny

— Drea Dominique (@TrueBeautyDre) April 2, 2015

It's all fun and games being ruthless with ppl and trying to make them the outcast.. Till they're gone huh… Now everybody sorry

— Drea Dominique (@TrueBeautyDre) April 2, 2015

I just heard someone from BGC passed away this morning… linsey from season 12 is this true? very sad

— natalie nunn (@missnatalienunn) April 2, 2015

Rip #BGC12 Linsey prayers for your family and friends pic.twitter.com/mkIeDFMpmy

— natalie nunn (@missnatalienunn) April 2, 2015

Sad to find out @linsey.jade life was cut so short… Despite our introduction on BGC we became cool and were able to let the bs go. However she was taken, I pray it was a peaceful depart. We may not have been friends BUT we shared an experience most will never have or truly understand… #RIPLINSEY #BGC12

A photo posted by Jada Cacchilli (@jada_cacchilli) on Apr 2, 2015 at 10:30am PDT

RIP Lindsey

— A$AP WHO? (@prettygrl_rocky) April 2, 2015

I pray that the news is not true but if it is I send my condolences to Lindsey's family and friends #BGC12

— Lo London (@LO_LONDON) April 2, 2015