Gia Allemand’s Ex Wes Hayden: ‘I’m Heartbroken,’ ‘At A Total Loss’

Following the death of former “Bachelor” contestant Gia Allemand on Wednesday, the late reality personality’s ex-boyfriend, Wes Hayden, has spoken out about the loss of Gia to an apparent suicide.

“I haven’t slept in probably two days. It’s horrible,” Wes, who dated Gia after the pair met while competing on “Bachelor Pad” Season 1, told Billy Bush and Kit Hoover on Thursday’s Access Hollywood Live. “Anytime that you have a relationship with somebody, especially an intimate relationship and you’re great friends, it’s tough to hear about it.

“My heart goes out to her family and her boyfriend. It’s tragic – I’m at a total loss right now,” he added.

WATCH IT NOW: ‘Bachelor Pad’ Finale – Gia Allemand Talks Falling For Wes Hayden

Wes said he hadn’t seen his ex-girlfriend in “probably a year or so,” but had been texted back and forth with her within the last “few months” and was shocked by news of her passing.

“It’s just unfortunate. I’m heartbroken, I know the ‘Bachelor’ family is heartbroken,” he said.

Though there have been reports of Gia’s friends noticing a change in her, Wes said he hadn’t picked up on anything out of the ordinary.

“Gia was pretty sensitive. She had a great and sensitive heart… I think she really wanted to kind of step away and have like, a real life, get married… I think that’s what she was after – not necessarily the fame from ‘The Bachelor,’” he explained. “I think she just genuinely wanted to loved, to get married, to have a life, to have kids. I can’t believe what’s happened.”

Wes described how he felt when he first met the 29-year-old beauty on “Bachelor Pad.”

“[She] was just a beautiful girl, a beautiful soul. Right when I saw her, when I walked into the ‘Bachelor Pad,’ I was like, I’ve got to get to know this girl. And I did,” he said, adding that their romance was real and not just staged for TV. “After she got kicked off, I could care less about winning the money. I was ready to go home and call her as soon as possible.

Adding, “I left the very next episode and called her right when I got home. We hung out for probably the next six to eight months.”

As for why they split, Wes said distance tore them apart.

“She lived in New York and I lived in Texas and we were both busy,” he said.

As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, according to a statement from the family, Gia was found on Monday night in New Orleans by her boyfriend, NBA star Ryan Anderson “following an apparent suicide attempt.”

“Due to a critical loss of brain and organ function, life support was withdrawn today,” the family explained in their statement on Wednesday. “Ms. Allemand passed away peacefully with her mother, boyfriend, and other life-long friends by her side. As a practicing Christian, Gia did receive the sacrament of last rites.”

Gia’s funeral will take place in New York at the Papavero Funeral Home. A date is not confirmed at this time. The funeral will be open to the public, yet no cameras or cell phones will be permitted inside.

— Erin O’Sullivan

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