Fans of the reality series “16 and Pregnant” were shocked to hear that one of the stars died unexpectedly over the weekend. Jordan Cashmyer was 26 years old at the time of her passing.
Cashmyer’s stepmother Jessica shared the news on her husband Dennis’s Facebook page. She posted a black and white photo of the young mom alongside the tragic update.
“Last night I received a call no parent ever wants. My oldest beloved daughter, Jordan has passed away, she was only 26 years old. Our hearts are truly broken. No parent should ever have to go through losing a child, EVER,” the post said.
“Please keep my family in your thoughts prayers as we navigate through this terrible tragedy. Please understand and respect our privacy at this time. We are surrounded by the love and support of our children, grand daughter Lyla and family members. 💔Jessica Cashmyer.”
There were no updates given on Cashmyer’s cause of death.
Cashmyer was featured on “16 and Pregnant” in 2014 with daughter Genevieve “Evie” Shae Taylor and the little girl’s father, Derek Taylor. Like so many other show participants, Cashmyer experienced much hardship during her time on the MTV series, including unemployment, homelessness, and estrangement from her family. Apparently, they were not fond of Evie’s father and didn’t want Cashmyer to be in a relationship with him.
According to Deadline, Cashmyer and Taylor broke up after the show’s filming ended. Cashmyer wound up signing over temporary custody rights to Taylor’s mother in 2015. Cashmyer was later arrested for drug possession in 2017.
Deadline reported that the young mom was attempting to change her ways. She had recently celebrated one year of sobriety in 2021 and was working at a strip club.
“This is an incredibly sad day. Jordan was a sweet and caring person,” Cashmyer’s rep told E! News. “Last we spoke she was doing well and seemed to be in a good place mentally and physically. I wish people had the opportunity to know her beyond her struggles. I was always rooting for her and am grateful I had the chance to know and work with her all these years.”
“16 and Pregnant” was only on MTV for six seasons beginning in 2009, but the show is iconic and many of the stars are still popular with fans today. The series also inspired multiple spinoffs including “Teen Mom,” “Teen Mom 2,” “Teen Mom: Young & Pregnant,” “Teen Mom 3,” and “16 and Recovering.”
Sadly, Cashmyer is not the first “16 and Pregnant” star to die too young. Fellow reality show alum Valerie Fairmain died of an apparent drug overdose in 2016 at the age of 23.
In 2019, Fairmain’s mother Janice talked about how Valerie’s then 8-year-old daughter, Neveah, kept her late mother’s memory alive. “Nevaeh is very well,” Janice told Radar Online. “I don’t think it’s been hard for her. I don’t know if it will be in the coming years. She’s doing well in school. I took her to a grief counselor, which she didn’t need.”
Janice went on to say they talked about Valerie “all the time.”
“[Nevaeh] has a necklace with some of her ashes,” she explained. “Ashes are in her play room too. She also has flowers from the service.”