RHOC star Megan Knickerbocker’s boyfriend dead after suffering ‘heart and kidney failure and blood clots’

REAL Housewives of Orange County alum Megan Knickerbocker’s boyfriend has died after a bout with a short illness.

The U.S. Sun can confirm that the Bravo star’s boyfriend, Rick Brannon, died in May.

Instagram/Megan Knickerbocker

GoFundMe

Megan, 37, released the news on her private Instagram account.

“I still can’t believe you are gone… The events that lead up to it just don’t seem right as they replay over and over again in my head,” the reality star’s post began.

“The regret and anger is completely consuming… I don’t think I have fully accepted it yet, and honestly don’t think I ever will. This was not supposed to be our ending, we had plans, plans that no one will ever know and that we will never see. Life isn’t fare and I will never be the same…I miss you so much,” Megan concluded.

She also shared a photo of the couple, capturing Rick kissing the side of her head as she smiled at the camera.

Days earlier, Megan shared the details for his Celebration of Life near his Orange County home.

PRAYERS FOR THE FAMILY

Rick’s former colleague also organized a GoFundMe , originally to help pay for his medical expenses while he was in the hospital for pneumonia.

“The doctors have stated he is in heart failure, kidney failure and has blood clots in the left side of his heart,” his friend revealed.

The page was later updated that Rick died in the early morning hours of May 10 – one week after he was admitted into the hospital.

Rick’s friend noted that donations would now be used to cover hospital costs, his Celebration of Life, and the care of his two sons.

As of August 5, the fundraiser has raised more than $11,000 of its $25,000 goal.

Fans shared their condolences for Megan and her family on social media.

“I am so sorry for your loss,” one person wrote in the comments of Megan’s Instagram post.

“My heart & prayers go out to you,” said another.

“The poor Knickerbockers. They’ve really been dealt a tough couple of decades,” someone else posted on another online thread.

Real Housewives Franchises

Over the last few decades, there is currently 10 versions of the Real Housewives.

• The Real Housewives of Orange County (first aired in 2006)
• The Real Housewives of New York City (first aired in 2008)
• The Real Housewives of Atlanta (first aired in 2008)
• The Real Housewives of New Jersey (first aired in 2009)
• The Real Housewives of D.C. (only lasted one season in 2010)
• The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (first aired in 2010)
• The Real Housewives of Miami (first aired in 2011, took a hiatus, then returned in 2021 and is a Peacock Original)
• The Real Housewives of Potomac (first aired in 2016)
• The Real Housewives of Dallas (first aired in 2016 and it’s last aired in 2021)
• The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City (first aired in 2020)
• The Real Housewives of Dubai (first aired in 2022)

“Wow, so tragic. The family has endured so much,” echoed another.

Megan is the daughter of Real Housewives of Orange County star Tammy Knickerbocker, 61, who starred as a full-time cast member in the second and third seasons.

Those familiar with the famous family remember that Tammy’s other daughter, Lindsey, 35, went missing last February.

Tammy and Megan took to their platforms to ask the public for help after they lost contact with Lindsey for several weeks.

Megan later updated fans after filing a missing persons report, saying she had located her troubled sister.

In 2007, the family was again rocked with tragedy when Tammy’s ex-husband Lou died from a heart attack.

He was the father of Megan and Lindsey.

Instagram/Megan Knickerbocker