Ashley Sawyer, a cast member from the 2nd season of MTV’s Catfish, has died of unknown causes.
MTV News verified that Sawyer passed away over the weekend in Alabama. The Georgia native was 23 years old.
Ashley’s sister Jessica Ross said, “We had a great relationship. I know she knows how much I loved her and she loved me, and I am so sad that she’s gone. She was so funny, she could make me laugh on my absolute worst day. She was just a really fun person to be around.”
“MTV is deeply saddened to learn that Ashley Sawyer has passed away,” MTV said in a statement. “Our condolences, thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends.”
Max Joseph tweeted out his condolences:
Shocked and saddened by the death of Ashley Sawyer. So sweet and kind. Thoughts and prayers go out to her family. ?? pic.twitter.com/fC6qG84gfC
— Max Joseph (@maxjoseph) May 2, 2016
UPDATE – Nev Schulman shared this message about Ashley’s passing on Facebook:
Some people are just too fragile and beautiful for this world. So sad to hear about the passing of Ashley Sawyer today. Her and Mike were both such amazing people who struggled through so much. Their lives were short but filled with courage and love. I like to think they are together now where nothing can hurt them. Sending love to them and their families.
Ashley had reached out to Nev and Max about finally meeting her longtime digital companion Michael Fortunato in person. Both Ashley and Michael used altered images in their communications, and were unsure how to proceed after they met.
Tragically, just one month after their show aired, Michael died of a pulmonary embolism at the age of 26.
In a catch-up episode, Ashley revealed that she was in a sober-living facility after struggles with addiction. Of her last time speaking with Michael, Ashley said, “The last thing we said to each other was that we loved each other.” Her sister said that Ashley had completed the program and was living on her own and working at a Panera at the time of her passing.
