Andrew Jury, a former participant in the inaugural season of “Married at First Sight New Zealand,” was found dead in his prison cell at Mt. Eden Corrections Facility in Auckland, New Zealand on June 27, 2024. His death came only hours prior to a planned court hearing.
33-year-old Jury had been detained since April 2, 2024, on charges such as assault with intent to harm, intentional property damage, and carrying an offensive weapon. The investigation into his death is ongoing, but according to authorities, there are no immediate indicators of foul play.
Jury first entered the public eye in 2017 when he appeared as a groom on the reality show “Married at First Sight New Zealand.” He was paired with Vicky Gleeson-Stokes on the show. However, the relationship was fraught with difficulties and ended soon after their stint on the show.
Roy Jury, Andrew’s father, voiced profound grief and confusion regarding his son’s death. He mentioned that Andrew had been having a tough time in prison. “It should have been a warning sign when Andy ceased communicating with family and friends,” Roy shared with the New Zealand Herald. “Andrew’s extended family, friends, and I are deeply affected and perplexed by this tragic incident.”
Brett Renall, Angel Renall, and Benjamin Blackwell, Andrew’s co-stars from “Married at First Sight,” released a collective statement expressing their grief over his death. “Despite his struggles, Andrew was consistently jovial and the soul of the party during our time together on the show. At this juncture, our entire cast extends our heartfelt condolences and love to his family.”
In a 2018 interview, Jury expressed doubts about the ethicality of the show’s matching procedure, alleging that the pairs were not truly compatible. “I make great TV, but there was no compatibility between my wife and me,” he criticized the show’s methodology.
Warner Brothers Discovery (WBD), the company that produces “Married at First Sight New Zealand,” expressed its condolences to Jury’s family and reaffirmed its commitment to participant welfare. A company spokesperson stated that “WBD takes participant care extremely seriously and has established protocols to ensure the well-being of the cast and crew” and stressed that all participants can consult mental health professionals at all stages, including before, during, and after filming.
The death of Jury has ignited discussions about the mental health support provided to reality TV stars, with calls for more robust assistance both during and after their television appearances. As the investigation into his death continues, his loved ones are left grappling with their loss and seeking answers.
