Cassandra Waldon, First ‘Big Brother’ Contestant, Dies

Cassandra Waldon, the first Big Brother contestant to enter the house on the U.S. version of the show in 2000, has reportedly died.

TMZ reports that Waldon passed away on September 25 from injuries sustained due to a car accident in Rome. A source at the United Nations, where the 56-year-old worked, told the site she was struck by a car about two months ago and suffered a head injury. Waldon never regained consciousness before her passing.

Julie Chen, who hosts the longtime CBS reality program, remembered Cassandra on her Instagram. “Thank you for bringing your intelligence, warmth and wisdom to the Big Brother house Season 1,” she captioned under pictures of Waldon.

Cassandra Waldon was employed by the UN and served as its Director of Communications for the International Fund for the Agricultural Department. She was living and working in Rome until her untimely death.

Waldon’s funeral will be held next weekend in her home state of Maryland, according to TMZ.

Our thoughts are with Cassandra’s family and friends during this difficult time.