Catfish participant Ashley Sawyer has tragically died at the young age of 23.
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Sawyer passed away over the weekend, but the cause of death has yet to be disclosed, People reported.
Sawyer appeared on the second season of MTV's Catfish back in 2013.
"MTV is deeply saddened to learn that Ashley Sawyer has passed away," the network said in a statement obtained by People. "Our condolences, thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends."
Catfish host Max Joseph tweeted, "Shocked and saddened by the death of Ashley Sawyer. So sweet and kind. Thoughts and prayers go out to her family."
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Sawyer's sister Jessica Ross said drugs may have played a role in her death, according to The Hollywood Reporter, because the reality TV star had been living in a sober house after recently completing a rehab stint for her substance abuse issues.
When Sawyer appeared on Catfish three years ago, she finally met Michael Fortunato, a guy with whom she had struck up an online romance. Each individual used fake photos to attract one another to begin with, but when they met in real life, Sawyer and Fortunato determined their connection was strong enough to still pursue a relationship.
Sadly enough, Fortunato unexpectedly died that same year of a pulmonary embolism at age 26. He passed away just one month after the couple's Catfish episode aired on MTV.
"The last thing we said to each other was that we loved each other," Sawyer reportedly said during a recent Catfish catch-up special.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski