There's baggage and then there's what West Lee brings to the table.
On The Bachelorette premiere Monday, Lee, a South Carolina-based prosecutor, discussed how his wife Sarah, "the true love of my life," drowned in 2007.
"She had a history of seizures," West recalled of his wife of seven years, getting noticeably choked up on screen. "One day she went and got in the bathtub."
"I found her face down ... [I] pulled her out and I called 911."
WEST WIN: Will Ashley Hebert be moved by Lee's story?
Sarah's death "hurt more than anything I've ever felt in my life," he said. "That part of my heart, that trusting part, the loving part, it just vanished. It died."
According to a lengthy police investigation, West was not responsible for his wife's death, but the story is more complicated than he presented Monday.
There were allegations of drug use by both West Lee and his wife and signs Sarah had mental health problems. Her mom, Dianna Sapp, was suspicious.
"Her mom voiced concern about the cause of death, but we looked into the case a second time," Lt. Matt Davis, from the Lexington, S.C., P.D., said.
"There was no physical evidence on scene that suggested Sarah Young's death was a homicide by The Bachelorette contestant Adam West Lee."
"We had the coroner's report. She had alcohol and marijuana in her system at the time of her death, but we're not sure if she purposely killed herself."
According to the report, Sarah's death was caused by accidental fresh water drowning. West, too, admitted he was under the influence when Sarah died.
West said Sarah had been "very depressed" around the time of her death.
After getting into a few minor car accidents in a short period of time, "everyone in the family was concerned about her safety, and [West] wanted her to perhaps go back to the doctor," the report reads.
And two weeks before she died, West caught his wife inhaling computer cleaning spray, though she promised not to ever do that again, saying that she "had an epiphany," according to the report.
"[Sarah] kissed [West] on the neck and went to the bathroom to take her bath," the report reads. "Mr. Lee said he also took his bath (in another bathroom), and when he finished, she still was not out so he checked on her."
After checking on her once, West called for her again, and got no response. According to the report, "The door was locked, which was not unusual, so [West] used a pair of scissors to gain entry. Once inside, he saw the victim unconscious."
West told the coroner that Sarah had attempted suicide twice in the past and had received medical attention. Her medical history was also investigated.
"Friends, family and acquaintances [of Sarah] were interviewed," Davis says.
"A longer than usual investigation was conducted in regards to pursuing who she was. This case is no longer active and not expected to open again just because it is back in the news."
Will this become a factor later this season or is it merely coming to light due to the unusual circumstances and the spotlight being on West Lee?
We'll provide any more details we come across, but to find out how long he lasts this season wooing Ashley, check out The Bachelorette spoilers.
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