Stephanie Holden was a long running fictional character from the TV series Baywatch

Baywatch

Baywatch is an American action drama series about the Los Angeles County Lifeguards who patrol the beaches of Los Angeles County, California, starring David Hasselhoff. The show ran in its original title and format from 1989 to 1999, sans the 1990-1991 season, of which it was not in production...

. She was played by Alexandra Paul

Alexandra Paul

Alexandra Elizabeth Paul is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Lt. Stephanie Holden in the television series Baywatch from 1992–97. She has starred in over 60 movies and television programs.-Personal life:...

. She was the sensible sister of Caroline Holden

Caroline Holden

Caroline Holden is a fictional character from the popular American television show Baywatch, portrayed by Yasmine Bleeth.-Season 4:Caroline made her first appearance on Baywatch in Season 4, Episode 7 'Tentacles Part 2'. She came to Baywatch to announce to her sister, Stephanie Holden, that she was...

.

Early Life

When Stephanie was seven years old her father died in a helicopter crash in Vietnam. This affected her deeply and she developed a huge fear of helicopters which she carried through to her adult life.
In the season 4 episode 'The Child Inside' Stephanie revealed that she was abandoned by her mother and she was raised by her grandmother.

Before Season 3

Stephanie originally came to Baywatch as a temporary replacement for Jill Riley

Jill Riley (Baywatch)

Jill Riley was a fictional character from the first series of Baywatch. She was played by Shawn Weatherly from 1989 to 1990.Her character was the most experienced female lifeguard on service, she trained Shauni McClain how to become a better lifeguard and was respected by all of her friends at...

, who was on holidays. She immediately began a romantic relationship with Mitch Buchannon

Mitch Buchannon

Mitch Buchannon is a fictional character from the TV series Baywatch. He was played by David Hasselhoff in every season of Baywatch and Baywatch Nights plus in the first season of Baywatch Hawaii...

and the two became very serious. The relationship ended abruptly when Stephanie left Mitch without explanation.

Seasons 3-6

Stephanie returned to Baywatch in Season 3, this time as a Lieutenant. Mitch was shocked to see her and still harboured resentment towards her for her sudden departure years earlier. Stephanie revealed to Mitch that at the time of their relationship she was married and wanted to return to her husband and try to work things out. The marriage eventually did fail and she apologised to Mitch for her actions.
Stephanie and Mitch eventually got over their differences and began to form a strong friendship. Despite being close friends Mitch and Stephanie continued to have romantic feelings for each other, which affected many of their relationships.

Season 7

Stephanie and her husband Tom decided to spend their honeymoon on a boat called "Chance Of Lifetime" with Mitch, Neely, and a group of teenagers whom they hope to teach about the lifeguard service. Two of the teenagers, Randy and Terry get into a fight and accidentally break the only radio on the ship. The group is unaware that they are heading into a storm, which leads them to eventually abandon the sinking ship. As Stephanie swims towards the lifeboat, she notices that Trisha (one of the teenagers) is missing, and returns to find her on the cabin floor. As they head toward the deck, a bolt of lightning strikes the mast, which falls onto Stephanie, crushing her. Mitch and Tom make it to her, but her injuries are too severe and she dies in their arms. Mitch is the one who ends up telling Caroline about her sister's death. The funeral takes place the following day, with Mitch delivering the eulogy.