'Next Great Baker' Contestant Sgt. Wesley Durden Committed Suicide

Sergeant Wesley Durden, 28, a contestant on TLC’s baking competition "Next Great Baker," committed suicide after production wrapped in October, according to the Jacksonville Daily News. However, TLC did not mention Durden's death until after his elimination from "Next Great Baker" on Monday night's episode.

The network delivered the news in a memorial note after the episode. TLC then released this statement: “TLC extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Sgt. Wesley Durden, who died Oct. 24. He will be warmly remembered by the cast and crew of Next Great Baker.”

Durden was a Iraq War veteran who had been deployed to Iraq twice. According to the Jacksonville Daily News, Durden was a cook with the 82nd Airborne. He is survived by his wife, his seven-year-old son and his two-year-old daughter.

"Next Great Baker" airs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on TLC.

Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Comments

[Diana Wells]

09:05 AM on 01/13/2012

When you have a broken leg, it's not a good idea to have people swing baseball bats at it. When you have PTSD, which he probably had, it's dangerous to be in a high-stress situation in which people are being publicly humiliated and worked to the bone. I don't watch reality tv usually but I watched a few episodes of this show because I like baking and the absurdity of it was kind of fun. But now I'm just reminded how perverse reality tv is, and how heartless people can be. Remember these: 1-800-273-­TALK, and www.suicid­epreventio­nlifeline.­org.

[karvictho]

06:16 AM on 04/25/2012

A contestant on a Gorden Ramsey cooking contest committed suicide too. All the facts can be googled. The point I want to make is that she was very very stressed during the taping of the show. You got the feeling she was stressed in her private life too... not an easy person to get along with. But, she was on Ramsey's show being yelled at and poked by him... Buddy can be a bit rough, but Ramsey is known for being a jerk ... and his shows are full of people who are jerks too or wimps he can pick on. They select them on purpose to create more drama. Unfortunately too many contestants believe their lives will be dramatically changed for the better if only they win. And this just adds an unrealistic dimension to the "reality" portion of the program. Anyway, sorry Durdan felt so lost that he didn't believe he could get help and sort things out.

[Greekstyle80]

09:10 PM on 12/26/2011

Think about this a little bit more clearly. Facts: 1. He was on a reality show with Buddy the Baker. 2. He served two tours in the 82nd Airborne in Iraqw (2007 and 2009 - during the surge). Not knowing ANY other details, my assumption would be that this was driven more by the potential PTSD as a result of fighting in a war and not being kicked off a show.

Granted, I have never met him nor do I know anyone that knows him. I only know two things - fought in the war during the surge and kicked off a reality show. Think about this before you jump to conclusions people. There could be a millions other reasons that we are not privy to and should not be. Get off your high horses.

[madjanssen]

03:29 AM on 12/31/2011

You're right. We don't know anything about him and his life. Could be a million reasons why he did what he did. It's really sad though. Hope he rests in peace.

[aproudamvet]

05:24 PM on 01/01/2012

Being a vet myself, I could tell by his demeanor that he was suffering from PTSD. I know the signs because I suffer from it as well. He presented all the classic signs of PTSD. I could tell he was suffering. I hope he has now found the peace he so badly needed and wanted. My heart and prayers go out to the family that is left to pick up the pieces.

Mynephew is currently serving his 2nd tour in Afganistan, and I worry about how he is going to be when it is all over. All I can do is be there for him and if and when he is ready to talk, he knows that i amready to listen, give advice and offer info on how where to get help.

If anyone who knows someone who has PTSD, be ready to listen. Do not ask questions before they are ready to talk. They can get help at any V.A. hospital. That is where I get my help and they are wonderful in their treatments. Also there is an 800 number they can call and a web site.
1-800-273-TALK, and www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

[skyblue50]

09:05 AM on 12/23/2011

Poor guy. May he rest in peace.

[lexigurl82]

08:09 AM on 12/23/2011

This is a very sad story, however I refuse to believe that this young man killed himself because of a tv show. Apparently he had other issues he did not deal with and the pressure was too much for him to bear. RIP

[jmoser1973]

02:24 AM on 12/23/2011

Such a tragedy. I see people placing blame on the tv show. I doubt highly this guy went on the show with thick skin and then left ready to die. He had way more going on that this. I find adult suicide to be quite selfish, especially when leaving behind family. Now this family is left with the heartache. I wish people weren't afraid to seek help. The family is in my prayers.

[Dier me]

06:51 PM on 12/22/2011

I cannot get over how quickly posters on this site jump to conconclusions based on very limited information and then chastise others for not accepting their conclusions as fact.

If you read article below, you will see that his mother believes his suffering was related to the stress of military life. In fact, she credits the show for keeping him alive as long as he was.

www.jdnews.com/articles/viewers-98654-contestant-reality.html

And before I start getting comments about being a apologist for reality tv shows, let me be clear, I'm not defending reality tv shows. I'm promoting doing a little research before grabbing your pitchfork and torch.

[TheLightFantastic]

11:45 PM on 12/30/2011

Thank you for the well thought out response and link.

[melody23]

02:05 AM on 12/22/2011

Upon watching the "shaming" at the end of elimination, I turned to my husband and said, "it's a miracle they haven't had a suicide." Then the memorial ran at the end of the episode. I'm sorry, I think this series is very much to blame. They need to entirely rethink the way they treat creative people. Artists tend toward depression. Wesley didn't kill himself upon coming back from Iraq. He killed himself when his dream was destroyed.

[pjnav]

06:00 PM on 12/23/2011

I agree - the "shaming at the end of eliminatio­n" is insulting, humiliating and degrading!

[Leto II]

01:04 AM on 12/22/2011

Suicide among reality tv people is very common. It's not reported much but it's the truth.

[Keep on keeping on]

12:59 AM on 12/22/2011

My condolences to the Durden Family. I was shocked that he passed away and that it was suicide. There was no way that TLC was going to look "okay" whether talked about before or after. I prefer after.

Depression causes one to feel so much emotional pain that it physically hurts. You are aware that there are people depending on/love you. It's that feeling that you are a disappointment and unworthy of life because you can't figure out how to be "happier". You feel a sense of shame for putting additional pressure on people you care about. When you're in it, there seems like there are no viable exits. With medication, it's not like once you pop your pills you are good. You have to try pills, adjust. Same with therapy, it takes time to find the right person, build trust. Every individual's emotions, upbringing, and mental health is different. How one will react to a situation is dependent on how you're wired.

Maybe you will never understand an individual's suicide choice or feel the emotional pain carried, but understand that if you don't know what it feels like, your insensitive remarks are not welcome. The moment before you try to commit suicide, is not solely about yourself, or that your loved ones won't care, it's a twisted perception that it is the best thing possible for everyone involved.

Nobody wants to be depressed.

[Skiwee]

02:24 PM on 12/22/2011

Couldn't have said it better myself. Excellent post! I'm honored to be your first fan.

[peach55]

12:14 AM on 12/27/2011

I agree. Well-said.

[gunnergoz]

11:06 PM on 12/21/2011

First, my wife and I wish to send our sincere condolences to the Sergeant's family and friends. The man served our country in wartime. We may never know what led to this tragedy but the man should be recognized for his contribution.
Second, we wish to criticize this supremely arrogant show for the disrespect shown contestants. In the case of this active duty serviceman and war veteran, Buddy and the show failed to give the Sergeant any credit for the fact that he was already an accomplished professional at working under pressure in a wartime environment. It was as if the man and his record was of no consequence because he lacked some indefinable "entertainment value" that might boost ratings.
Finally, we find the entire routine of putting them out in the truck as if they were garbage going to the dump, to be repugnant. In its rush to put some sort of "Jersey Shore edginess" to this show, the producers managed to lose all the charm and warmth of the original "Cake Boss" series. Worse still, by not revealing the fate of this contestant until after he was "washed out", they did a major disservice to the Sergeant, his family and the viewing public that by then may have formed some emotional attachment to this fine man.
Sergeant Durden deserved much, much better than he got and Buddy Velasco, the show's producers and the TLC network should be ashamed of themselves.

[PublicCitizen21044]

07:01 PM on 12/21/2011

My heart goes out to the young man's family comrades and friends for to lose someone so young and dear to his children and wife is such a tragedy. The Iraqi War has been am American and European nightmare as it has destroyed the heart and soul out of Europe and America due to the unjust and unrighteous nature of the occupation. ALL of America's and Europe's financial,social,psychological and financial woes appear to be related to that unjust,immoral and unethical invasion of that sovereign country. Why did we really invade Iraq ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

[Flavor]

05:49 PM on 12/21/2011

This is sad but I think he may have been troubled & sometime it's held within.

[judibear356]

03:21 PM on 12/21/2011

I'm sure there was much more to Wesley's decision to end his life than being eliminated from a baking contest. It's so hard for anyone to know why a person decides to take his own life. I have to say though, that there was something about him that concerned me from the first episode - he seemed very vulnerable and I worried for him. I know he had a lot riding on this show - as did many other contestants - it's a way to jump start their careers and it's immense pressure.
I don't blame TLC for not publicizing his death prior to the show or for not commenting on the cause of death - I'm hoping the reason was to protect his family from further angst. I'm sure they're suffering enough - he left behind 2 very small children and his wife.

[Ohin Gaston]

02:28 PM on 12/21/2011

Something doesn't add up here...need more information??

[Anastasia Olashaya-Grill]

01:52 PM on 12/21/2011

That is such a shame...

By the way, there is a grammatical error. "Durden was a Iraq War veteran..." should be "Durden was an Iraq War veteran..."

Just want to make sure he gets a perfect article all the way around. Such a shame....

[poeticjustice4all]

02:36 PM on 12/21/2011

Actually it should read, "Durden is an Iraq War veteran."

[sallenmd]

04:59 PM on 12/21/2011

He's dead, so it's was.

[Di Gray]

05:11 PM on 12/21/2011

"is" suggests he's still here...living. He's passed on, so I agree with the original poster.

Whether it's "is" or "was" or whatever, nothing changes the fact that this is a truly sad occasion.