Big Brother contestant Amber Siyavus, a Las Vegas cocktail waitress and single mother, died at age 46.
She died Friday at a residence in Las Vegas, according to records kept by the Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner in Nevada. TMZ first reported it Monday. Her cause and manner of death are still pending.
Former Big Brother host Julie Chen Moonves paid tribute on Instagram Monday, posting a video clip featuring her interview with Siyavus after she was evicted from the house. Chen Moonves added, “I believe Amber has found her way back to our Creator. Thank you for your heart and honesty. We will remember you with love.”
When she competed on the eighth season of the CBS reality series Big Brother, Siyavus was 27. At that time, she participated in the house as one of 14 competitors. She soon became very close friends with Jameka Cameron and Dustin Erikstrup, and together they became members of the so-called Late Night Crew. During the series, she often talked about her religion and her feelings for her baby daughter, Lexi, whom she missed.
Her crying moments earned her the fans’ nickname “Whamber.” Also, she often became a target of Dick Donato, who eventually won the season and the $500,000 prize.
During the season, Siyavus was criticized for some of her comments about Jewish people, which she made in the live Internet feed. CBS issued a statement saying the comments were offensive and would not be broadcast on its network.
Halfway into the season, Siyavus and Daniele Donato, who also participated in the Big Brother house that year and whose father, Dick, was also there, won a trip out of the house to compete on the CBS game show Power of 10 hosted by Drew Carey.
Late Night Crew began to fall apart as Eric Stein and Jessica Hughbanks went against them and evicted Erikstrup. In week eight, Siyavus was nominated for eviction along with Zach Swerdzewski and lost the house vote 3–1. She placed seventh and became the third jury member.
In January 2018, Siyavus was hit hard by the loss of her daughter Lexi Tomcavage, who passed away at age 18 in Ohio. It was ruled an apparent suicide by the Stark County medical examiner.
Siyavus, a Nevada native, will be remembered by fans of the show as one of its eighth season’s most memorable characters. More details on survivors and funeral services have not been provided yet.
NOTE: This article contains material about suicide. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, you can call or text 988 in the U.S.
