Clay Adler, former star of MTV's reality show "Newport Harbor: The Real Orange County," has died of an apparent suicide, TMZ and People magazine report.
According to law enforcement sources, the 27-year-old was on a trip with friends to go “shooting in the desert” March 25. He is believed to have died in the hospital on March 26 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
Police do not believe that drugs or alcohol were in his system at the time, but he reportedly did have a history of struggling with mental health issues.
"We are saddened by the news of Clay Adler's passing," MTV said in a statement Tuesday. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this time."
Adler appeared on two seasons of “Newport Harbor: The Real Orange County” in 2007 and 2008. He also had small roles in “Make It or Break It” and the TV movie “The Fish Tank.”
Over the weekend, his friends and family honored the avid surfer with a traditional paddle-out ceremony, MTV reported.
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