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Everything we know about the 'Bachelor in Paradise' sex scandal that could kill the show

The controversy surrounding "Bachelor in Paradise" mars the reputation of ABC's successful "Bachelor" franchise. Here's how it all went down.

Bachelor in Paradise contestants Corinne Olympios and DeMario Jackson are at the center of sexual-misconduct allegations.

A "Bachelor in Paradise" scandal threatens to not only cancel the show, but forever change ABC's long-running hit "Bachelor" franchise going forward.

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An alleged incident of "sexual misconduct" that occurred while taping last week in Mexico has shut down production and forced ABC and show producer Warner Horizon into launching an investigation.

On Wednesday, both "Bachelor in Paradise" contestants who are reportedly at the center of the alleged incident, DeMario Jackson and Corinne Olympios, released their first official statements. Both claim they're victims of the scandal and have sought legal counsel.

How did we get here, and what's next? Here's a rundown of all the events we know so far:

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The potential for a sexual-misconduct scandal was already at play.

Before we go into the events of the current scandal, we have to acknowledge that all the elements for it have been cooking for years. It's almost a wonder that it took 15 years of "The Bachelor" and multiple spin-offs for a sexual-misconduct scandal to happen.

Just look at the mix: an attractive young man or woman vying for the attention of equally attractive people, competition, hunger for celebrity, and, in many cases, a real desire to fall in love. Throw alcohol into the mix, and you have a recipe for possible disaster and legal trouble.

That said, the current "Bachelor in Paradise" scandal — in which a female cast member was sexually assaulted while too drunk to consent, according to reports of allegations from those working on the show — stepped over the boundaries set for reality TV.

A veteran reality-TV producer, who has never worked on the "Bachelor" franchise but has worked on similar shows, told Variety that they found this situation "unusual."

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"My concern about this situation is that if the person was beyond a point of making her choices and was still being shot and being put into this scenario, it's a very weird situation," the producer said. "When you talk about sexual assault, it's almost always just two people alone and it becomes a he-said-she-said situation; this is the most unusual situation because not only is there a third party, but there are cameras that watched everything that happened and everything that led up to what happened. That, to me, is the smoking gun as to why a franchise worth hundreds of millions of dollars was shut down."

Sunday, June 4: Day of the alleged sexual assault.

With three seasons under its belt, "Bachelor in Paradise" began taping its fourth season on this day in Mexico and was set to last three weeks. It also happened to be the day when the incident occurred, according to reports.

Sources told news outlets that a sexual encounter between DeMario Jackson ("The Bachelorette" season 13) and Corinne Olympios ("The Bachelor" season 21) occurred when she was too drunk to give proper consent and the show's cameras were rolling.

TMZ published a graphic description of the alleged sexual encounter between the contestants in a hot tub.

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Tuesday, June 6: An investigation was underway, production halted, and the contestants were placed on lockdown.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, production continued on the show Monday. But at some point between Sunday and Tuesday, a producer filed a complaint about potential sexual misconduct. It isn't clear whether that producer was present while the alleged incident was being taped.

A contestant told People on condition of anonymity that taping was suspended and the cast members were placed on lockdown Tuesday, meaning they were sent to separate rooms, couldn't contact one another, and were under constant supervision by production.

"We were told to stay in a certain part of the [resort] while they figured out what the hell had happened," the contestant said. "We knew something bad had happened; there was a dark energy that came around the house. You have to understand that we weren't even there a week. The game hadn't even really begun yet."

THR reported that Jackson and Olympios were questioned ahead of the other contestants after the complaint was filed and were sent home.

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Thursday, June 8: The cast members were informed of the investigation and told the season would probably be canceled.

The anonymous cast member told People that the producers officially informed the contestants on Thursday that an investigation was underway and that it didn't look like the show would be returning this season.

"One of them was crying. She told us that it was over and we'd all be going home," the contestant said of a meeting with a producer held after the lockdown.

"[The producer] was like, 'I don't think that's realistic,'" the cast member continued of the likelihood that production would resume. "She said that there was an investigation going on, and that could take days, weeks, or even months. And by that time, we all have lives and jobs and things to go back to, so it just wasn't going to work out. They told us that we'd be considered for future seasons and opportunities in the franchise, but that this adventure was probably over."

Over the next few days, the cast and crew were questioned individually, according to THR.

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Sunday, June 11: Producers sent the cast home and then officially went public about the investigation.

According to THR, 20 cast members (only 16 had been previously announced) and 25 crew members were sent home on Sunday, and most arrived back at their homes by Monday.

TMZ on Sunday broke the story of the investigation and production suspension.

Amid mounting reports, Warner Bros. confirmed the investigation and suspension of production to the public.

"We have become aware of allegations of misconduct on the set of 'Bachelor in Paradise' in Mexico," the studio said. "We have suspended production, and we are conducting a thorough investigation of these allegations. Once the investigation is complete, we will take appropriate responsive action."

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Monday, June 12: The cast spoke out as a media frenzy about the investigation began.

With their phones back in hand and many having arrived back home, several of the contestants began posting on social media about the scandal. Among those who commented were Taylor Nolan, Robby Hayes, and Raven Gates.

Nolan thanked friends and family for their support and referenced the potential cancellation of the season with the hashtag #ripbip4.

Tuesday, June 13: "Bachelor" franchise host Chris Harrison released a statement.

Two days after the news broke of the scandal, and amid analysis of the fallout for the show and the "Bachelor" franchise, Harrison released a statement asking for patience pending the results of the investigation.

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"There are a lot of competing details in the various press accounts of the incident," he said. "And there's a lot of misinformation out there, too. We urge everyone to be patient until the investigation is complete."

Jackson was also caught on video by "Entertainment Tonight" in Los Angeles briskly saying: "I have nothing to say. You know, Corinne's an awesome girl, and that's all I have to say."

Wednesday, June 14: Olympios and Jackson broke their silence on the scandal.

About a week after they were questioned and sent home from Mexico and reports placed them in the center of the scandal, Olympios and Jackson released their first official statements.

Olympios' statement went public on TMZ just before noon ET on Wednesday. She announced she had hired the famed attorney Marty Singer to represent her and said she had very little memory of what occurred that night, adding, "I'm a victim."

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Later on Wednesday evening, around 7, Jackson followed suit via a statement to E! News. He decried the public assassination of his character, called the allegations "false" and "malicious," and said he had also sought legal counsel to clear his name.

Meanwhile, show sources gave the press differing accounts about whether Olympios had been too intoxicated to give consent or had been present mentally and physically during the alleged incident.

What's next?

ABC and Warner Bros. have yet to announce the results of their investigation, which THR reports could take about two weeks. While there has been speculation that the show will be canceled, production sources and analysts have pretty much concluded that the current fourth season at the very least won't resume or air on its set August 4 premiere date.

As of yet, no charges have been filed with law enforcement.

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In the short term, THR reported that plans to air the wedding of "Bachelor in Paradise" couple Evan Bass and Carly Waddell were on hold. It was to be taped this weekend in Mexico, with many of the cast members in attendance.

The fallout for the "Bachelor" franchise, in general, is yet to be determined. Will advertisers begin to withdraw? Will viewers be turned off of watching the shows, or arrive in record numbers to see how the franchise will bounce back?

It's all up in the air.

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