Big Brother death: Why mystery still surrounds the death Gordon Sloan

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Inside Big Brother’s darkest secret: Why mystery still surrounds the death of season one star Gordon Sloan after he ‘collapsed’ in a Beijing nightclub in 2007

By Alisha Buaya For Daily Mail Australia

Published: | Updated:

Gordon Sloan starred in the first season of Big Brother Australia in 2001, alongside the likes of Blair McDonough and Sara-Marie Fedele.

And the circumstances surrounding his untimely death 13 years ago remain to this day the reality TV franchise’s most chilling mystery.

The architect, who was known for his mohawk hairstyle, is said to have ‘collapsed’ in a Beijing nightclub on September 1, 2007.

Mystery: The circumstances surrounding the death of Big Brother season one star Gordon Sloan  untimely death in 2007 has remained a mystery for fans of the late reality TV star who died aged 34

He was rushed to Chaoyang Hospital in a coma, but died on September 13 at the age of 34.

At the time, his uncle Andy Schollum denied rumours Gordon had died of a drug overdose and said there must have been another reason.

He told Sydney Morning Herald: ‘We don’t know what to believe [but] the assertion that Gordon injected a toxic substance is absolutely incorrect and has caused the family deep emotional distress.’ 

Untimely: The architect, who was only on Big Brother for two weeks, 'collapsed' in a Beijing nightclub on September 1 in 2007 and rushed to hospital. He died on September 13 from 'hypoxia' and deprivation of oxygen to the brain'

Untimely: The architect, who was only on Big Brother for two weeks, ‘collapsed’ in a Beijing nightclub on September 1 in 2007 and rushed to hospital. He died on September 13 from ‘hypoxia’ and deprivation of oxygen to the brain’

Mr Schollum explained that toxic substances had been found in his nephew’s stomach that he would not have knowingly injected or consumed. 

He added Gordon’s family did not turn off his life support and that his death was ‘directly related to hypoxia, deprivation of oxygen to the brain’. 

Gordon’s death remains a mystery to this day because Beijing police abandoned the investigation due to of a lack of leads. 

Gordon's uncle, Andy Schollum, who denied his nephew died of a drug overdose. He said: 'We don't know what to believe [but] the assertion that Gordon injected a toxic substance is absolutely incorrect' (Pictured: Gordon on Big Brother in 2001) (Pictured: Gordon on Big Brother in 2001)

Sad: At the time, Gordon’s uncle, Andy Schollum, who denied his nephew died of a drug overdose. He said: ‘We don’t know what to believe [but] the assertion that Gordon injected a toxic substance is absolutely incorrect’ (Pictured: Gordon on Big Brother in 2001)

Gordon had dated musician and Neighbours star Natalie Bassingthwaighte in 2005, after finding fame on Big Brother. 

They split up after six months, but remained friends until his death.

At the time, Natalie told the Herald Sun that Gordon’s death was ‘truly devastating beyond words’.

‘He is a man who was often misunderstood but always saw the good in every person,’ she said.

‘Gordon was constantly trying to make the world a better place because he cared.’

Tribute: After finding fame on Big Brother, Gordon dated Natalie Bassingthwaighte in 2005 (pictured). She shared her heart break with the Herald Sun, she said, 'Gordon was constantly trying to make the world a better place because he cared'

Tribute: After finding fame on Big Brother, Gordon dated Natalie Bassingthwaighte in 2005 (pictured). She shared her heart break with the Herald Sun, she said, ‘Gordon was constantly trying to make the world a better place because he cared’