Andrew Stern, a 40-year-old businessman from Los Angeles, California, tragically ended his life on June 22, 2014. Stern, who was known as the husband of "Deal or No Deal" suitcase model Katie Cleary, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head at a gun range near the Van Nuys Airport. The Los Angeles County Coroner's office confirmed the manner of death as suicide.
Stern had been struggling with depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder for many years, and his mental health had deteriorated further due to financial and marital issues. Just weeks before his death, photos of his estranged wife with celebrities Leonardo DiCaprio and Adrian Grenier surfaced, adding to his distress.
In the months leading up to his death, Stern had made previous attempts to end his life. He had visited another shooting range in Ohio with the intention of committing suicide but was unable to obtain a gun. He was subsequently hospitalized for suicidal ideations and transferred to a facility in California. Stern was released from the California medical facility just two days before his death. His final autopsy report indicated that there were no drugs or alcohol in his system at the time of his death, and he had been taking prescription medication for his mental health issues for the past 15 years.
There were no arrests, suspects, or litigations directly related to Stern's death, as it was determined to be a suicide. The media scrutiny following his death was intense, particularly focusing on the photos of Cleary with other celebrities and the couple's marital problems. Stern's family expressed their anger and hurt over the media's portrayal of the situation, emphasizing that Stern was a wonderful person who had been battling significant personal challenges. Cleary also shared her grief publicly, stating that Stern's last communications with her were heartfelt and conveyed his efforts to improve his life despite his struggles.
