Jordan Cashmyer, a star of MTV’s reality series 16 and Pregnant, has died in Maryland. She was 26.
Cashmyer’s death was announced by family member Jessica Cashmyer in a Facebook post via the account of her late husband — and Jordan’s father — Dennis M. Cashmyer Jr. on Sunday. No cause of death was given.
“Last night I received a call no parent ever wants,” read the post, in part. “My oldest beloved daughter, Jordan has passed away, she was only 26 years old. Our hearts are truly broken. No parent should ever have to go through losing a child, EVER. Please keep my family in your thoughts prayers as we navigate through this terrible tragedy.”
“Please understand and respect our privacy at this time,” wrote Jessica Cashmyer on Facebook. “We are surrounded by the love and support of our children, grand daughter Lyla and family members.”
MTV paid tribute in a Twitter post that read: “We are deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Jordan Cashmyer. Our hearts go out to her family and friends during this difficult time.”
MTV aired its 16 and Pregnant segment on Cashmyer and boyfriend Derek Taylor in 2014. She had been disowned by her family, who did not approve of the relationship and the duo became homeless when Taylor was unable to secure employment. She eventually gave birth to a daughter, Evie.
Cashmyer’s boyfriend at the time, Derek Taylor, was also featured. She gave birth to a second child, Lyla, last year but their struggle did not end when the cameras stopped rolling.
In 2017, Jordan Cashmyer was arrested for drug possession. She was working at a strip club, but apparently had been committed to getting well, celebrating a year of sobriety in January 2021.
