The tragic downfall of a cattle farmer turned reality star can be traced back to a devastating family tragedy which friends say damaged him for life.

Lachlan Rofe – who also went by Lachlan McAleer and appeared on both Married At First Sight and Farmer Wants A Wife – was found dead on his Razorback property in Sydney‘s south-west last week.

Emergency services were called to his home, where he was found unresponsive.

‘Ambulance paramedics commenced CPR but they were unable to revive him,’ a spokesperson said.

‘On Friday, authorities confirmed his death remains under investigation, with the coroner yet to establish a cause.

Close friends have now revealed the death of Rofe’s father, Warwick Rofe, in 2013 sent him into a spiral of grief and mental health struggles that haunted him for years.

‘He went off the rails when Wazza died,’ an old friend told the Daily Mail.

‘I think he lost his way and never recovered.’

Friends said the death of his father, Warwick Rofe (left) in 2013 sent Lachlan Rofe (right) into a spiral of grief and mental health struggles that haunted him for years

The tragic downfall of a cattle farmer turned reality star can be traced back to a devastating incident which friends say he never recovered from

The impact of his father’s death was revealed on social media where Rofe paid tribute to his beloved dad in a poignant post a decade after the tragic loss.

‘Ten years ago today on Boxing Day morning my dad passed away with my hand on his left shoulder.

‘It really doesn’t seem like that long ago and I still feel his presence. Miss you dad, as does everybody.

‘I could go on and on, but all I’ll say is you are still sorely missed and your memory and legacy will live forever.’

Shortly before his own death, he looked tired and unshaven in his last photograph, posing for a selfie with a girl he supported as her confirmation sponsor.

Another photograph he shared to social media shows him sporting a black eye.

In the months leading up to his death, he posted a series of strange photos and videos to social media, including footage of him feeding KFC takeaway to an emu.

His personal life was also marred by controversy.

His ex-girlfriend Natalie Cepenuik released a scathing TikTok video after his death, alleging she suffered ‘the most awful’ six months her life during their time together.

She accused Rofe of physical abuse, drug use, and narcissistic behaviour.

In the weeks before his death, he shared a haunting final photograph alongside a young girl he supported as her confirmation sponsor

Natalie (pictured) accused Rofe of acting violently, using drugs and displaying narcissistic behaviour, claiming it was ‘the most awful relationship’ she’d ever had

Lachlan died suddenly, leaving friends and family in shock (pictured with his TV ‘bride’ Clare Tamas)

‘He choked me, he sat on my chest, he threw beer in my face. He was absolutely vicious,’ she claimed.

Ms Cepenuik also alleged that he lied about his age, underwent multiple cosmetic procedures – including liposuction, a tummy tuck and a nose job, and even used her mascara to cover the grey in his beard.

‘He hated the fact that he was getting old and that he wasn’t married and didn’t have any kids,’ she said.

‘It was an absolute blessing that he did not have children because he would have been awful to them.’

She alleged Rofe was a regular methamphetamine user and a heavy drinker, describing him as ‘a very, very insecure man’.

Rofe also had a chequered history of public incidents.

In 2017, he was found guilty of assaulting his then-girlfriend Kasey Williams in front of her two-year-old daughter following a night of heavy drinking.

He was placed on a 12-month good behaviour bond but later successfully appealed the conviction, with a magistrate overturning the verdict.

‘Being a man of principle, I chose to clear my name,’ he said at the time.

‘I’m too scared to even go see women ‘cos I just feel with everything that’s happened, I just feel like I’m a target.’