Project Runway designer Mychael Knight has died at the age of 39

Fan favorite Project Runway designer Mychael Knight died Tuesday at the age of 39. A Knight family rep confirmed Mychael’s passing, revealing that he died at 7:25AM EST this morning outside of Atlanta, surrounded by his loving family and friends.

“We are still processing the untimely death of our son, brother, friend, and uncle,” The Knight family said in a statement released to Obvious Mag. “Mychael meant everything to us and we loved him dearly. He was generous and so full of life. This is how we choose to remember his legacy.”

There are no other details available at this time.

Mychael Knight was featured on Project Runway Season 3, and despite coming in fourth overall, he took home the Fan Favorite award from viewers. His popularity among show fans helped him earn a slot on the Project Runway: All-Star Challenge in 2009.

I can remember being among the many fans of Mychael during Season 2, and I am deeply saddened by news of his passing. My thoughts are with his friends and family — which appears to be a very large number of people.