My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding stars Bill Smith and Joe Smith were found dead in Sevenoaks, Kent, according to Variety. The twin brothers died in an apparent joint suicide. They were just 32-years-old at the time of their passing.
The Sun reports the Smith brothers were found in a tree near a farm in the early afternoon on Saturday (December 28). An investigation into their deaths will begin in 2020. In the meantime, a spokeswoman familiar with the situation spoke to Mirror Online, revealing that "Kent Police was called at 11.34am on Saturday after the bodies of two men were discovered in Dibden Lane, Sevenoaks. Enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the deaths are ongoing but they are not currently being treated as suspicious.”
Bill and Joe's cousin Phoebe Charleen Smith told the Telegraph the brothers struggled with depression after Joe was diagnosed with cancer. “Joey had cancer, and Billy told him, ‘I’d never be able to live without you,'” she said. “Joey told the family he got the all-clear after chemo two months ago, but we don’t know if that’s true now."
“They went missing, and Joey’s phone was turned off. Then we found a note,” she continued. “It said that they wanted it like this, and we would find them in the woods where they played with the family years ago. They couldn’t live without each other, and the stars belong to the sky.”
Bill and Joe appeared on the third season of TLC's My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding. The show followed the brothers as they worked at their landscaping job, as well as a vacation they went on together to Tenerife. During their appearance on My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, Bill and Joe discussed their hopes for the future, including plans to travel and get married.
TLC released a statement on Twitter regarding the tragic passing of Bill and Joe, writing "Our hearts go out to the family and friends of siblings Bill and Joe Smith at this difficult time."
Bill's partner, Kristina Delaney, shared an emotional statement about his unexpected passing on Facebook. “You always see stuff like this but you just never think it’ll happen to you. Joe I tried telling you our phone calls many times I said to you just wait for time to heal you," she wrote. I wish I could have done more for you both I do may you both get the best beds in heaven. Bill please please please be happy now I’m just persuading myself your happier.”
Rest in peace, Bill and Joe.
If you or someone you know needs help, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
Photo: Channel 4