'Naked and Afraid' Star Melanie Rauscher's Shocking Cause Of Death Revealed

An official autopsy has finally revealed the cause of Melanie Rauscher’s mysterious death. According to reports, the former “Naked and Afraid” contestant died by accident after inhaling a fatal amount of compressed air, commonly used in cleaning products.

Rauscher was earlier found dead in July, after some homeowners, whom she had been dog-sitting for, returned home to find her dead body. At the time, she was found near some empty cans of dust cleaner, and it was suspected that they were a clue to her death.

Rauscher’s family already posted and held an obituary for the late reality star in July shortly after her passing. There has been a recent legal crackdown on the sale of canisters, which aims to reduce the number of people overdosing on the potentially fatal air.

Read on to find out more.

A recent TMZ report included Rauscher’s autopsy details from the Yavapai County Medical Examiner. The report stated that the former reality star became unresponsive after she inhaled a fatal amount of compressed air from the cans of dust cleaner. She eventually died from the toxins it introduced to her system.

35-year-old Rauscher was initially found near several dust cleaner cans, and it’s now confirmed that the air in those cans led to her death. Her official cause of death on the autopsy report is listed as “difluoroethane toxicity.”

The street slang for “difluoroethane toxicity” is “huffing,” and it’s common amongst young people who want a cheap high. The autopsy also confirmed that there were no other factors in Rauscher’s death, like drugs and alcohol.

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The initial TMZ report announcing Rauscher’s death also shared more details about how her body was found. Corey Kasun, the Prescott police rep, spoke to news outlet and said that at the time of her death, Rauscher was on a dog-sitting job for a couple who had traveled.

Unfortunately, when the homeowners returned home, they found Rauscher’s unresponsive body in their guest room. By the time police responded and rushed Rauscher for medical care, she was pronounced dead. Thankfully, the dogs she was sitting were found in the home and unharmed.

Rauscher’s family later posted an obituary confirming her death to fans. The obituary read that the reality star had “passed away suddenly on Sunday, July 17th.” It also revealed that Rauscher was born in Philadelphia, attended University in Virginia, and was working at the Prescott VA when she died.

The obituary concluded with, “Mel was a passionate athlete and deeply involved in local adult leagues. She was a diehard Eagles fan. She was a natural comedian, and her wit was unmatched. Melanie’s boisterous laugh will echo in the hearts and minds of her loved ones forever.”

Rauscher’s former “Naked and Afraid” castmate Jeremy McCaa also posted an emotional tribute to her on his Facebook page. He wrote, “She came into my life in a way I can’t explain. We had such chemistry on the show, and it blossomed into a friendship that goes beyond what words could describe. Her laughter was one of a kind. Her friendship was amazing. Even tho we weren’t blood, we were family.

According to the Daily Mail, there’s been a very heavy crackdown on people who get their cheap highs from gas canisters. Many states in the U.S have tightened sales of gas and compressed air canisters, and even New York state has banned sales of whipped cream canisters to anyone below 21 years old.

The gas, known as “laughing gas” or “hippy crack,” is inhaled by discharging the nitrous gas cartridges inside these cans. The side effects of the high include heart attacks, fainting, low blood pressure, and sudden death. According to the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, the gas can also cause memory loss and psychosis with long-term use and is very addictive.