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Entertainment

‘Survivor’ Cast Member Dan Kay Is Dead at Age 40

By Debbie Strong

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We’re shocked and saddened to learn that Dan Kay, who competed on Survivor: Gabon–the 17th season of the hit show–has passed away. According to PEOPLE, Kay died unexpectedly on Dec. 31, 2016 at 40 years old.

Kay, an attorney from Brookline, N.H., leaves behind two children, Reese Elizabeth and Jackson “Jax” Russell-Reid, as well as his girlfriend, Jennifer DePietro, his mother, Jean-Ann, and a sister, Andrea.

MUST-SEE: Shannen Doherty Just Made a Heart-wrenching Decision While Battling Breast Cancer

Born in 1976, Kay was 32 when he competed on the show, which aired in the fall of 2008. After practicing law for five years in Boston and purchasing several investment properties, he felt depressed and unfulfilled. He quit his job, sold his investments, and took a chance to shake things up and try a new adventure by joining the cast of Survivor.

“I had my midlife crisis early,” he said at the time. “It was a big decision to change things up, but I think it’ll be better for my life.”

He lasted 21 days before being voted out after other contestants were concerned that he had a hidden immunity idol.

Survivor host and executive producer Jeff Probst tweeted his condolences on Tuesday after news of Kay’s death broke.

Gillian Larson, who competed with Kay on Survivor: Gabon, also sent her condolences to his family on social media.

Kay is the fourth Survivor alumni to pass away since the show premiered.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and fans.

via PEOPLE.com

NEXT: See the many stars we were so sad to lose in 2016.

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