Matt Grant was "massively shocked" to learn of former Bachelor contestant Erin Storm's death.
Storm, who competed for the British suitor's heart during season 12 of the ABC reality series in 2008, reportedly died in a plane crash in Los Angeles on Monday.
"Massively shocked. Devastated for her family and friends," Grant exclusively tells ET. "We were lucky to have Erin on season 12. She was genuine, self-assured, beautiful and hilarious."
Los Angeles County Fire Department confirmed to ET that a small plane went down near the Hawthorne Municipal Airport and was "engulfed in flames," with a female pilot being transported to "a local trauma with life-saving procedures being performed." Hawthorne Police Department later confirmed the victim did not survive.
"Somehow you knew from the first minute of being with her that Erin could pretty much go and do anything," Grant now recalls. "On my season her occupation was listed as Hot Dog Vendor...which surprised me a little bit. From talking to her, it soon became clear she was a smart, entrepreneurial cookie."
"My thoughts and prayers go out to her loved ones," he concludes.
In other Bachelor news, meet your next Bachelorette, Joelle 'JoJo' Fletcher. Find out about the "last-minute" decision in the video below.