The Challenge’s most heartbreaking tragedies including five contestant deaths, drug addiction and near-fatal car crash

MTV’s The Challenge has seen numerous contestants come and go throughout its 39-season run.

Fans watched, cheered for, rooted against, and formed a connection with The Real World and Road Rules stars who competed in the reality competition show .

Not known, clear with picture desk

Not known, clear with picture desk

Though many of The Challenge contestants appear superhuman when competing against each other and completing obstacles, they’re not invulnerable.

They can get hurt, have accidents, become addicted to drugs, and have their lives tragically cut short.

Here are The Challenge’s most heartbreaking tragedies.

In 2006, Diem Brown debuted on Real World/Road Rules Challenge: Fresh Meat and competed in seven additional Challenges before she died in 2014 due to ovarian cancer.

In her debut challenge, which was filmed in November 2005, Diem revealed that she had been diagnosed with the disease, much to the surprise of both the cast and the production company.

Fresh Meat was the twelfth season of The Challenge.

It featured two-player teams, each consisting of an alum of The Real World or Road Rules and a newcomer who had never played in the two sisters series.

Diem was partnered with Road Rules alum Derrick Kosinski and finished fourth in the competition.

She later took part in The Duel in 2006 after completing her cancer treatment, and in one of the most memorable and moving Challenge moments, she took off her wig after finishing one of the competitions.

Diem dated fellow Challenge cast member Chris “CT” Tamburello for nearly two years after meeting on The Duel.

She credited CT for playing a role in her remission recovery and giving her confidence.

In June 2012, after six years of remission, Diem’s ovarian cancer returned.

In 2013, her cancer once again went into remission, and she ended chemotherapy in February 2013.

She then competed in her seventh Challenge season, Rivals II, because doctors told her “seeing 2013 was not that likely” during her second bout with cancer.

Demi and her rival partner, Aneesa Ferreira, finished in fourth place.

She was diagnosed with cancer for a third time in June 2014.

In August 2014, while filming her eighth and final Challenge competition, Battle of the Exes II, in Panama, Diem collapsed on set.

She was airlifted to a New York hospital, where doctors performed emergency surgery.

Diem revealed that her ovarian cancer had metastasized to her colon and stomach.

On November 14, 2014, after a hard-fought battle with the disease, she died in the company of friends and family.

Diem’s final season of The Challenge, Battle of the Exes II, aired in early 2015.

RYAN KNIGHT

Ryan Knight died at the age of 28 due to an accidental drug overdose.

He appeared on The Real World: New Orleans in 2010 before competing in Battle of the Seasons, Rivals II, and Battle of the Exes II.

The first autopsy conducted on November 28, 2014, was inconclusive. Still, the medical examiner in Knight’s hometown of Kenosha, Wisconsin, where he was found dead on November 27, 2014, concluded that he died of accidental acute mixed drug and alcohol intoxication, per the Hollywood Reporter .

The drugs found in Ryan’s system include methadone, tramadol (a painkiller), and alprazolam.

DANNY DIAS

Not known, clear with picture desk

In June 2017, Danny Dias died at age 34 from “complications of chronic substance abuse,” a spokesperson for the New York City Chief Medical Examiner’s Office told Page Six .

He starred in Season 13 of Road Rules in 2004 before competing in Season 11 of Real World/Road Rules Challenge in 2005.

Dias was found inside his Brooklyn apartment with self-inflicted lacerations to his arm and hallucinogenic drugs around the residence, police told The Post at the time.

Paramedics pronounced him dead on the scene.

A spokesperson confirmed that the cuts played no role in Danny’s death; there was also no presence of lethal drugs in his system.

“We are saddened by the news of Danny Dias’ passing,” an MTV spokesperson said in a statement.

It continued, “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.”

“Our thoughts are with the Dias family during this difficult time. Danny was a beloved member of the Road Rules community,” Bunim/Murray Productions said in a statement about Danny’s death.

DAVE MIRRA

Not known, clear with picture desk

Dave Mirra died by suicide on February 4, 2016.

He was an American BMX rider who set the record for most medals in BMX Freestyle at the X Games, later tied by Scotty Cranmer, and earned at least one BMX medal at the event in all but one year from the competition’s inception in 1995 until 2009.

Dave hosted The Inferno and The Inferno II before fellow BMX rider TJ Lavin took over as the permanent host of The Challenge.

On February 4, 2016, Dave died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Greenville, North Carolina, at the age of 41.

Authorities discovered his body inside his Ford F-150 Raptor.

He had reportedly been visiting friends in the area.

Dave was posthumously diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) due to the “countless” concussions he suffered in his career.

He was inducted into the BMX Hall of Fame on June 11, 2016.

MICHELLE PARMA

In October 2002, Michelle Parma died in a three-car collision at the age of 27.

She was a contestant in Road Rules: Europe and a finalist in the Extreme Challenge.

The former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader was traveling from Dallas to Houston with her cousin Mandie Parma when a driver moving in the opposite direction lost control of their vehicle, crossed the median, and struck Michelle’s Jeep head-on.

The Jeep spun and was hit by another vehicle, killing Michelle and Mandie.

“Michelle had a spirit about her that just pulled you in,” MTV producers said .

They continued, “She was one of the nicest, most genuine people to ever be on one of our reality shows. We will all miss her terribly.”

ROBIN HIBBARD

MTV

In 2022, Robin Hibbard’s family begged a judge to send her to rehab after she “injected drugs on their property.”

Robin, 44, starred in The Real World: San Diego in 2004 and has appeared on various seasons of The Challenge from 2004 to 2012.

The reality star has struggled with addiction over the years, as she has been arrested for a series of drug-related crimes .

The U.S. Sun exclusively revealed that Robin was hit with a restraining order by her own family, as she was accused of abusing drugs on their property.

In Florida court papers obtained by The U.S. Sun, Robin’s family member filed an injunction for protection from domestic violence against her on April 5, 2022.

The family member claimed Robin has been unemployed for five years and listed her address as “unknown.”

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHERIFF

The former reality TV star allegedly snuck onto the property and slept there for three days while she “continued her drug use.”

The order read, “[We] watched her inject something in her arm with a needle. She was told multiple times to leave and not use drugs on our property, but did not leave and threatened us repeatedly.

“Finally she became irate on 3/31/2022 and caused such a loud commotion on the carport and front yard screaming loudly and destroying scaping that the neighbors called the police.”

Robin “stormed off” when police arrived at the home.

The complaint continued, “[Robin] has been using drugs and stealing money and other pawnable items from us for the last five or six years.

“She has broken windows, screens and destroyed landscaping.

“She threatened us with physical harm several times. She has struck and pushed me on several occasions when asked not to use illegal drugs and to leave our property.”

In addition to drug addiction, the family member claimed that Robin suffers from a mental illness and has not been taking her medication.

They requested Robin “be ordered to participate in treatment, intervention and/or counseling services.”

NELSON THOMAS

MTV

In March, Nelson Thomas’s foot was amputated following a near-fatal car accident.

The Challenge competitor was pulled from a burning car after a blazing crash last year.

Nelson , 35, shared videos and photos with his followers post-amputation surgery.

He opted to remove his right foot due to ongoing health complications after the life-threatening accident.

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Toktok/ mtv_nelson

In a shocking photo from the hospital, the TV personality displayed his newly amputated leg while smiling brightly in his hospital bed.

His leg, which had been amputated halfway down the calf, was covered in stitches as he healed from his surgery.

The reality TV star wrote, “I’m truly blessed,” and added a clip of him bending his knee back and forth to show fans his continued mobility.

Nelson captioned the post, “The moment I moved my knee for the first time, witnessing it in person, was truly remarkable. #march5th #amputee #belowkneeamputee #blessed.”

THE CHALLENGE SEASON 40

The Challenge: Battle of the Eras is set to premiere on August 14.

The upcoming season of The Challenge will be a clash of players from 39 seasons over 26 years.

The Challenge Winners

MTV has aired 29 seasons of The Challenge, doling out millions of dollars in prize money. Here's a look at all the winners through the years.

• Season One – Road Rules: All Stars: Cynthia Roberts, Eric Nies, Jon Brennan, Rachel Campos, Sean Duffy
• Season Two – Real World vs. Road Rules: Anne Wharton, Kalle Dedolph, Kefla Hare, Mark Long, Noah Rickun, Roni Martin
• Season Three – Challenge 2000: Carlos ‘Los’ Jackson, Dan Setzler, Holly Shand, Piggy Thomas, Veronica Portillo, Sean Duffy
• Season Four – Extreme Challenge: Dan Renzi, Jamie Murray, Julie Stoffer, Kameelah Phillips, Rebecca Lord, Syrus Yarbough
• Season Five – Battle of the Seasons: Danny Roberts, Kelley Limp, Mike Mizanin, Coral Smith, Sean Duffy, Elka Walker
• Season Six – Battle of the Sexes: Colin Mortensen, Jamie Murray, Mark Long
• Season Seven – The Gauntlet: Adam Larson, Cara Zavaleta, Darrell Taylor, Dave Diuntoli, Rachel Robinson, Roni Martin, Sarah Geyson, Theo Vonkurnatowski, Veronica Portillo
• Season Eight – The Inferno: Abram Boise, Christena Pyle, Darrell Taylor, Holly Shand, Katie Doyle, Kendal Sheppard, Timmy Beggy, Veronica Portillo
• Season Nine – Battle of the Sexes 2: Dan Setzler, Eric Nies, Theo Vonkurnatowski
• Season 10 – The Inferno II: Darrell Taylor, Jamie Chung, Landon Luek, Mike Mizanin
• Season 11 – The Gauntlet II: Alton Williams, Ibis Nieves, Jamie Murray, Jodi Weatherton, Kina Dean, Landon Lueck, MJ Garrett, Randy Barry, Susie Meiste
• Season 12 – Fresh Meat : Darrell Taylor, Aviv Melmed
• Season 13 – The Duel: Wes Bergmann, Jodi Weatherton
• Season 14 – The Inferno 3: Abram Boise, Derrick Kosinski, Evelyn Smith, Janelle Casanave, Kenny Santucci, Tonya Cooley
• Season 15 – The Gauntlet III: Frank Roessler, Jillian Zoboroski, Johanna Botta, Nehemiah Clark, Rachel Moyal, Tori Hall
• Season 16 – The Island: Derrick Kosinki, Evelyn Smith, Johnny Devenanzio, Kenny Santucci
• Season 17 – The Duel II: Evan Starkman, Rachel Robinson
• Season 18 – The Ruins: Derrick Kosinski, Evan Starkman, Johnny Devenanzio, Kenny Santucci, Susie Meister
• Season 19 – Fresh Meat II: Landon Luek, Carley Johnson
• Season 20 – Cutthroat: Brad Fiorenza, Dunbar Merrill, Tori Hall, Tyler Duckworth
• Season 21 – Rivals: Johnny Devenenzio, Tyler Duckworth, Evelyn Smith, Paula Meronek
• Season 22 – Battle of the Exes: Johnny Devenanzio, Camila Nakagawa
• Season 23 – Battle of the Seasons: Ashley Kelsey, Frank Sweeney, Sam McGinn, Zach Nichols
• Season 24 – Rivals II: CT Tamburello, Wes Bergmann, Emily Schromm, Paula Meronek
• Season 25 – Free Agents : Johnny Devenanzio, Laurel Stucky
• Season 26 – Battle of the Exes II: Jordan Wiseley, Sarah Rice
• Season 27 – Battle of the Bloodlines: Cara Maria Sorbello, Jamie Banks
• Season 28 – Rivals III: Johnny Devenanzio, Sarah Rice
• Season 29 – Invasion of the Champions : CT Tamburello, Ashley Mitchell
• Season 30 – XXX: Dirty 30: Jordan Wiseley, Camila Nakagawa
• Season 31 – Vendettas: Cara Maria Sorbello
• Season 32 – Final Reckoning: Ashley Mitchell, Hunter Barfield
• Season 33 – War of the Worlds: Turabi ‘Turbo’ Camkiran
• Season 34 – War of the Worlds 2: CT Tamburello, Dee Nguyen, Jordan Wiseley, Rogan O’Connor
• Season 35 – Total Madness: Jennifer West, Johnny Devenanzio
• Season 36 – Double Agents: Amber Borzotra, CT Tamburello
• Season 37 – Spies, Lies, & Allies: Ct Tamburello, Kaycee Clark
• Season 38 – Ride or Dies: Devin Walker-Molaghan, Tori Deal
• Season 39 – Battle for a New Champion: Emanuel Neagu

MTV began teasing The Challenge Season 40 well before its slated premiere date.

The network teased the series in a synopsis, writing, “The path to glory is far from easy, as they must first compete at the Era Invitational and eliminate the weakest links from within their own Challenge Era for only the best will earn a coveted spot on their team.”

“With relentless new challenges and twists, these seasoned Veterans are perpetually kept on their toes in the game they thought they had mastered,” the network concluded.

Battle of the Eras will bring some big players back to the small screen.

CT Tamburello , Mark Long, Bananas, and more are just a few of the noteworthy Challengers returning for what’s sure to be an epic season.

CT, Jodi Weatherton, Darrel Taylor, and Rachel Robinson will compete as Era 1.

Era 2 will include Aviv Melmed, Emily Schromm, and Cara Maria.

Tori Deal, Leroy Garrett, Jordan Wiseley, Nurys Mateo, and Michelle Fitzgerald will be part of Era 3 and Era 4.

Cory Wharton and other fan favorites are also slated to appear in Season 40 of the show.

MTV

Archibald Vienot/MTV