Nick Viall says he ‘vividly’ remembers ‘Bachelor’ contestant Hailey Merkt after her death from leukemia

nypost.com:

who passed away on Friday, July 26 after a battle with leukemia. The former “Bachelor,” 43, spoke about Merkt’s passing on the August 1 episode of his his podcast, “The Viall Files.” “On a very sad note, Hailey Merkt passed away,” the reality star said. “Hailey was on my season of ‘The Bachelor’ [in 2017].

She left week 2. I didn’t really get to know her very well at all, but I very much vividly remember her, and I remember her to be very sweet and kind.”“It’s just very tragic,” he added. “She struggled with a very tough battle of leukemia it sounds like, and recently passed away, so our love and hearts go out to her family, who are obviously going through it.” “It sounds like she really put up a very courageous fight, and, unfortunately, she is with us no more,” he continued. “But very sad to see that she passed, and we’re definitely praying for her and her family.”Merkt was just 31.

She had been documenting her battle with Leukemia on social media.News of the model’s death was shared on her Instagram account on Tuesday, July 30, and a GoFundMe page set up on behalf of Merkt’s mother, Michelle.The former reality contestant was declared cancer-free in April following a bone marrow transplant.