Beauty and the Geek star forced to deny involvement in grisly murder as identity of the alleged offender is suppressed
A former cast member of Beauty and the Geek has stepped forward to hit back at online rumours that she was part of a grisly murder, after the real alleged offender was suppressed.
Kiera Johnstone, 26, took to her social media on Sunday with a lengthy statement declaring she has not been arrested and was not involved in 'any way' after a crime was reported in South Australia last week.
Johnstone, who was crowned winner on the dating show in 2021, made her declaration after reports surfaced on Friday that a woman who starred on Beauty and the Geek had been charged with murder in Port Lincoln.
A man's body was discovered in a home in the coastal town after emergency services were called to a property at about 3:25pm local time on Thursday following reports of a small fire.
When crews arrived, they found a man dead inside the residence.
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A 34-year-old woman was arrested at the scene and later charged with murder.
A suppression order preventing the publication of any information that could identify the woman, the victim, or the specific details surrounding the man's death was issued.
Johnstone messaged her followers on her Stories on Sunday, after speculation surfaced online attempted to link her with allegations stemming from the police report - and demanded trolls to stop the gossip.
'Hi everyone,' she began, and continued, 'A former contestant from Beauty and the Geek has been charged with a very serious crime.
'Although no names have been released, for reasons beyond my understanding, there has been speculation online suggesting that I am involved.
'Let me be absolutely clear: I am not involved in any way. I have not been charged with a crime.
'I have literally never even had a parking fine. The allegations being discussed have nothing to with me, and the fact that I even need to says this is incredibly upsetting.
'It's deeply disturbing to see people spreading false information, making assumptions and sharing screenshots.
'I understand the internet can be quick to judge, but this kind of speculation is damaging and invasive and is something I take very seriously.
'If you are part of the group fuelling this - sharing, gossiping or silently watching - I ask you to please stop.
'This is not entertainment. This is a serious situation, that involves real victims. you're literally sick if you think this is at all funny.
'As this has nothing to do with me, this will be the only time I speak on the matter.
'Thank you to those who reached out with kindness and common sense.'
It comes after The Courier Mail reported on Friday that the woman arrested for the alleged murder was once a contestant on reality show Beauty and the Geek.
South Australia Police have confirmed the victim and the accused were known to each other and had been in a relationship. The woman was refused police bail and remains in custody.
Assistant Commissioner Parrott said a cause of death had not yet been determined and no further details could be released, as the victim's family had not yet been notified.
The woman did not apply for bail and has been detained under the Mental Health Act. She is expected to return to court in December.
The suppression order is set to be reviewed by the court next week.
Johnstone rose to fame as a contestant on Beauty and the Geek in 2021 when she was crowned winner alongside her match Lachlan Mansell.
The pair broke down in tears as host Sophie Monk announced they'd won the life-changing $100,000 cash prize.
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