‘Big Brother’s’ Amber Siyavus Dies: Season 8 Alum Was 46

Brittany Sims October 12, 2026, 3:04 pm

HOLLYWOOD - OCTOBER 02: Big Brother 8 personality Amber Siyavus poses for a portrait during the 2007 Fox Reality Channel Really Awards held at Boulevard 3 on October 2, 2007 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto Rodriguez/Fox/Getty Images for Fox) — Alberto Rodriguez/Fox/Getty Images

The Big Brother community is mourning a Season 8 contestant. Amber Siyavus has died at the age of 46.

According to TMZ, which obtained records from the Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner in Nevada, Amber died on Friday, October 9. Her cause of death is listed as “pending.”

Amber was best remembered for her emotional outbursts on the season, earning her the nickname “Whamber.” She finished in seventh place after forming tight bonds with Jameka Cameron and Dustin Erikstrup. “Evel” Dick Donato won that season, whom Amber had fights with. She was the only houseguest on her season to make it to the jury phase without winning Head of Household or Power of Veto.

Amber’s 18-year-old daughter, Lexi Tomcavage, died in 2018 of a reported suicide. She is divorced from the man she shared her daughter with. It is not clear if she had a partner at the time of her death.

Sadly, Amber is not the only Big Brother alum to have died. Season 27’s Mickey Lee died in December 2025 after cardiac arrest. Kent Blackwelder from Season 2 passed away in 2017 from a heart attack. Season 1’s Cassandra Waldon died from a car crash in 2019.

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 18: (L-R) Contestant Nick Starcevic, runner up contestant Daniele Donato, contestant Zach Swerdzewski, Dick Donato, winner of "Big Brother 8", contestant Amber Siyavus and host Julie Chen speak during the "Big Brother 8" live show finale at CBS Radford Studios on September 18, 2007 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

The CBS show and her family have not yet commented on Amber’s death, but fans and alumni have left their condolences and shock. On Reality TV Fans‘ Instagram page, Season 23’s Derek Frazier commented, “Aww. Rest in Peace.”

Season 25 contestant Felicia Cannon said, “Prayers to Amber’s family and friends. May they keep her memory in their hearts.”

Tommy Bracco, who competed on Season 21, wrote, “So sad. Praying for her family.”

Season 27’s Jimmy Heagerty said, “Rest in peace,” with a tearful face emoji.

Evel Dick might have shared some insight into what might have happened, but nothing is confirmed. “This is a shame… The last time I had contact to Amber, she was just out of rehab for heroin. I contacted her on FB to give her some encouraging words about staying clean. I hadn’t spoken to her since just after the show. My guess is she OD’d. RIP Amber. Your battle is over. Sigh,” he wrote.

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If you or someone you know has addiction issues, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration‘s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.