Caroline Flack died just one day after her boyfriend Lewis Burton professed his love for her in a gushing Valentine’s Day message.
The former Love Island host, 40, was found dead at her London flat on Saturday, February 15, just weeks before she was due to go on trial for assaulting Lewis.
She was banned from contacting Lewis after she was charged with assault in December and she was due to return to court on March 4.
Tragedy: Caroline Flack died just one day after her boyfriend Lewis Burton professed his love for her in a gushing Valentine’s Day message
He publicly reached out to her on Valentine’s Day amid constant speculation they had ended their relationship, posting a photo on Instagram and writing: ‘Happy Valentine’s… Love You.’
The latest comes after Lewis wrote in the comments section of a picture of Caroline climbing a wall to joke that she and her friend were ‘useless.’
Caroline’s death was confirmed on Saturday.
Her family have been informed and in a statement on Saturday they said: ‘We can confirm that our Caroline passed away today on the 15th February. We would ask that the press both respect the privacy of the family at this difficult time.’
Defiant: The post came after Caroline shared her final Instagram snap on Thursday, after Lewis reached out to her previously on a post about her wall-climbing with a pal
Flack was best known for previously fronting the hugely popular ITV2 show Love Island, which has tonight been rocked by the third death of one of its former stars.
Contestants Mike Thalassitis and Sophie Graydon took their own lives following their appearances on the dating programme, throwing the show’s future into question.
The saga surrounding Flack’s court case saw her step down from hosting Love Island – the winter series is currently on air and is being hosted by Laura Whitmore.
Yet it was understood that she would return to the ITV2 show in the summer if cleared in court for the assault allegations.
Love Island star Wes Nelson led tonight’s tributes to the ‘absolute diamond’ and said he was heartbroken by the death of ‘one of the warmest funniest people’.
Fellow contestant Chris Hughes echoed these warm words and said: ‘Words can’t sum this up. So sad. Another amazing person taking from this cruel world…
Reaching out: The collage of snaps, captioned simply with a love heart emoji, were posted hours after her boyfriend Lewis, contacted her via the photo sharing platform
‘Can’t believe to imagine the pain. God bless Caroline and her family. Rest tight.’
Police were seen outside the presenter’s residence, where she lived with Burton, during the early hours of December 14 after reports emerged that a man had been attacked.
Photographs of Flack’s blood spattered front door emerged the day before.
It was reported that Burton shouted ‘I was normal till I met her’ as she was arrested by police.
Eyewitnesses have described ‘total chaos’ outside Flack’s home as police arrived to diffuse the situation with her boyfriend.
Flack was reportedly left in need of hospital treatment after accidentally cutting herself on broken glass during the incident.
A family friend said: ‘There is not much to say. We are not people who like to gossip. I hope people respect the situation.’
Her former fiancé Andrew Brady, who claimed he would have died if he remained in their relationship, took to Twitter in the early hours on December 14 to pen: ‘Sad that I’m not more surprised by the news’
Ban: Lewis made his first public contact with Caroline since hitting back at split rumours – despite her being banned from contacting him after she was charged with assault
Flack’s death could lead to ITV bosses pulling the plug on Love Island as it follows the suicides of two former contestants of the reality show.
It was already under intense scrutiny following the deaths of former contestants Gradon, 32, and Thalassitis, 26, with some criticising the show’s aftercare policies.
Tonight’s latest tragedy will lead to more pressure on ITV to rethink the show’s future and there was immediate speculation about what Miss Flack’s death will mean for the series.
This Morning presenter Eamonn Holmes, 60, tweeted: ‘Caroline Flack …. Dear God. Shocked beyond belief. May she have found peace. #Rip Has to be repercussions for Love Island now surely?’
Caroline posted her final Instagram snap on Thursday.
The presenter shared her first post on her grid in two months, which saw her fawning over her pet dog, Ruby.
The collage of snaps, captioned simply with a love heart emoji, were posted hours after her boyfriend contacted her via the photo sharing platform.
Caroline could be seen cosied up in bed whilst clad in a black bra, with her golden locks worn tousled and her plump pout boasting a slick of scarlet lipstick.
‘You’re both useless’: Lewis showed his love for Caroline in a now-deleted comment that was posted to her pal Mollie Grosberg’s video on Instagram
The ex-Love Island host was captured in a video posted to Instagram by her pal Mollie Grosberg, which showed her attempting to go up a wall at The Castle Climbing Centre in London on Wednesday.
But in a now-deleted comment, Lewis said: ‘You’re both useless’ alongside a love heart emoji, even though Caroline has been ordered by a judge not to have any communication with him.
Caroline’s friend Mollie had uploaded the video to her profile, captioning the post: ‘We are professional climbers #healthiswealth.’
The model carried his phone in one hand as he tried to keep a low-profile following the fall out from Caroline’s assault charge.
Lewis was recently forced to deny claims that he and Caroline had split and he had been texting another woman following Caroline’s return to the UK from LA.
He said last month: ‘We ain’t split. Can’t wait to see you.’
Caroline posted the same day: ‘I’m going to speak today… mine and my family’s life is no longer up for entertainment or gossip,’ before changing her mind.
Relaxed: Caroline had looked relaxed and care-free as she enjoyed wall climbing with a friend at The Castle Climbing Centre in London on Wednesday
Care-free: In a video shared to Instagram by her TV producer pal, Mollie Grosberg, the former Love Island star could be seen laughing as she struggled to climb the wall
Still together: Meanwhile, Lewis recently shared this post amid split rumours, writing that he ‘can’t wait to see Caroline’
A source had told MailOnline at the time: ‘Caroline wanted to speak as she’s so sick of all the rumours and speculation about her.
‘But she posted on Instagram without thinking and once she had some time to calm down she knew better to keep quiet until the time is right.’
Caroline is currently on bail after being charged with assault by beating following a bust-up at her north London home with boyfriend Lewis.
Sad: Caroline posted the same day Lewis denied their split saying: ‘I’m going to speak today… mine and my family’s life is no longer up for entertainment or gossip’ but she decided against it
District Judge Newton told Caroline she would be subject to conditional bail, meaning she is not allowed any contact with Lewis ahead of her trial on March 4.
Following her last court appearance in December, Caroline released a statement on Instagram, saying: ‘Thankfully I know a lot of you will not believe all that you have heard and read following today’s court hearing… thank you for your continued support and love…
‘It’s going to be a relief when I am able to give my side of the story, when I’m allowed to.’
Caroline was accused of attacking Lewis after seeing texts on his phone which led her to believe he was cheating on her.
The alleged attack prompted Lewis, a former professional tennis player and model, to dial 999 at 5.25am, in which he told the operator: ‘She tried to kill me mate.’
It was heard in court that Lewis was ‘hit over the head by Caroline with a lamp’ while he was asleep.
Lewis sustained a cut to his head, while Caroline had smashed a glass and had lacerations to her left wrist.
Caroline’s boyfriend denies he’s a ‘victim’ and has stood by her throughout the court proceedings, with the pair remaining in a romantic relationship.
If you have been affected by this story, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org
On bail: District Judge Newton told Caroline she would be subject to conditional bail, meaning she was not allowed any contact with Lewis ahead of her trial on March 4 (pictured outside court)