Amber Siyavus, 'Big Brother' Alum, Faced Legal Troubles Before Death
The reality TV personality pleaded guilty to resisting an officer and forgery prior to her passing at 46.
Amber Siyavus, a contestant on the eighth season of the CBS reality show "Big Brother," faced legal challenges in the years leading up to her death at age 46. Siyavus died on Friday, according to reports.
In February 2020, Siyavus pleaded guilty to attempting to resist an officer with a dangerous weapon. Prosecutors alleged that she attempted to drive away while an officer was partially inside her vehicle in Henderson, Nevada. Following her plea, she received a suspended prison sentence of 19 to 48 months and was placed on up to four years of probation. She was also ordered to undergo substance abuse and mental health evaluations.
Later in 2020, in September, Siyavus pleaded guilty to felony forgery charges related to Western Union money orders. For this offense, she reportedly received another suspended prison sentence and up to two years of probation. At the time of her death, Siyavus was no longer under court supervision for any of these offenses.
Siyavus gained public attention in 2007 as a contestant on "Big Brother 8," where she finished in seventh place and earned the nickname "Whamber" due to her frequent crying on the show. After her reality television appearance, she worked as a cocktail waitress at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
In 2018, Siyavus' 18-year-old daughter, Lexi Tomcavage, died by apparent suicide in Ohio. "Big Brother" host Julie Chen-Moonves paid tribute to Siyavus on social media, writing, "Rest in Peace Amber. Hard to believe but I know you are back in our eternal home with our Creator. Thank you for your heart and honesty. We will remember you with love."