Matthew Byars, an assistant and talent manager who appeared briefly on Bravo's “The Real Housewives of Potomac,” has died. he was 37
Byars was pronounced dead Thursday from “multiple blunt force injuries,” a spokesperson for the Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed to The Times on Friday. The medical examiner ruled his manner of death a suicide.
No additional details were immediately available.
Byars was friends with several of Bravo's “Housewives” reality stars. He was introduced in a season 3 episode of “RHOP” as a member of Karen Huger's management team and appeared at her controversial “press conference,” which Huger held to clear up rumors about his financial problems and later, he said, to find out who were his real friends.
Huger's representatives did not immediately respond Friday to The Times' requests for comment.
In a 2019 interview with the Daily Dish, Huger said he had known Byars since he was a teenager and encouraged him “when life is hard.”
“A lot of people call me 'Mama Karen' in Potomac because I love helping young people,” she said. “When life was making it difficult, I reached out and told him to go to school, and he did, and now we work together.”
“The Real Housewives of New Jersey” star Melissa Gorga was among those who paid tribute to Byars on social media.
“Matt – Why didn't you tell me Matt?” Gorga wrote Friday on Instagram, posting a video of them together. “I am heartbroken. Your personality was contagious. Your jokes… you always had them. You should have gotten up. I know it was your dream. My heart hurts Matt. Because earlier this week you didn't tell me.
“I know life was hard, I know,” he added. “Thank you for bringing me my first 'ON DISPLAY' performance, you and I, WE ARE LOYAL. They don't make them like us. I wish I could have saved you. Thanks for the memories… Go fly, make them laugh.”
“RHOP” cast member Charrisse Jackson-Jordan shared a photo taken with Byars on her Instagram Story that she captioned “Rest in Peace.”
Crisis Counseling and Suicide Prevention Resources
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, seek help from a professional and call 9-8-8. The United States' first nationwide three-digit mental health crisis hotline, 988, will connect callers with trained mental health counselors. Text “HOME” to 741741 in the US and Canada to reach the Crisis Text Line.
