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How did Melanie Rauscher die? 'Naked and Afraid' contestant found dead in Arizona home

Melanie Elizabeth Rauscher was reportedly dog sitting at a residence in Prescott, Arizona, while the homeowners were away on holiday

A 'Naked and Afraid' contestant has reportedly died under mysterious circumstances in Arizona. Her lifeless body was recently found near cans of dust cleaner on July 17.

Melanie Elizabeth Rauscher, who appeared on two seasons of the widely popular Discovery Channel show, was reportedly dog sitting at a residence in Prescott, Arizona, while the homeowners were away on holiday. When the homeowners eventually returned from their trip on the afternoon of July 17, they found Melanie lying on the bed in the guest room, according to Corey Kasun, a spokesman for the Prescott Police Department.

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How did Melanie Rauscher die?

According to TMZ, several cans of compressed air, which are generally used to clean the dust off electronics, were found near her person. While it's unclear if Melanie consumed the contents of the cans, police said there were no immediate signs of foul play at the scene, and nor did they find a suicide note or drug paraphernalia. The dog under her care was ok. Meanwhile, the Yavapai County Medical Examiner is yet to establish Melanie's cause of death. 

According to an obituary on Legacy.com, Melanie was the daughter of Daniel T and Catherine A Rauscher, cherished sister of Jeanette (Rick), Rebecca (Calvin), and Alexis, and doting aunt to Aria and Liam Parker. She was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she graduated from Kennedy-Kenrick High School and went on to attend Old Dominion University in Virginia. The future star served honorably in the US Navy aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt CVN-17 during the Iraq War and lived a life of service to others. At the time of her passing, she was employed at the Prescott VA Medical Center.

Melanie was remembered as an avid outdoor enthusiast who loved being close to nature and its flora and fauna. She loved camping and hiking, and sought adventure wherever she could. With a passion for taking on new challenges, she participated in reality TV shows 'Naked & Afraid' in 2013 and 'XL' in 2015. She was also a passionate athlete and actively involved in local leagues. Besides, she was a hardcore Eagles fan and a natural comedian who always made those around her laugh.

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Jeremy McCaa, a close castmate of Melanie's on 'Naked and Afraid', paid an emotional tribute to her on his Facebook. "She came into my life in a way I can’t explain," he wrote. "We had such a chemistry on the show and it blossomed into a friendship that goes beyond what words could describe. Her laughter was one of a kind. Her friendship was amazing. Even tho we wasn’t blood, we was family[sic]." McCaa continued, "I could always count on her. We had so many moments when we would just be there for each other. She was my swamp wife, a best friend, a strong woman, and an amazing person and I’ll always cherish our moments together. You’re gone too soon and taken from us too early. You’ll always be my Mel. I love you and I’ll see you again one day." He added, "The world lost an amazing person. Please keep her family and friends in your prayers. See you again my Queen."

Melanie Rauscher was 35 at the time of her death. A celebration of life for the star is in the works and scheduled to be held in October 2022 in Philadelphia, PA. Instead of flowers, donations can be made to the PTSD Foundation of America, an organization Melanie was deeply devoted to, according to Legacy.com.