Ashley Sawyer dead: Star of MTV's Catfish show passes away age 23

Sawyer appeared in season 2 of the show

Ashley Sawyer (MTV)

Ashley Sawyer, who appeared in the reality show Catfish, has died at the age of 23.

The contestant appeared in season 2 of the reality show which investigates whether people really are who they say they are on the internet.

The Georgia native’s cause of death is currently unknown.

Her sister Jessica Ross told MTV news: “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.”

Sawyer appeared on the programme in 2013 in an attempt to meet Michael Fortunato who she had been speaking to on the internet. Both Sawyer and Fortunato had used altered images of themselves in conversation with each other online.

Fortunato, 26, died a month after the episode aired from a pulmonary embolism. Sawyer spoke of his death in a catch-up episode of Catfish and said she was staying in a rehab facility after struggling with addiction. Her sister told MTV Sawyer had completed the programme and was living in Alabama when she died.

Hosts of the programme Nev Schulman and Max Joseph both paid tribute to Sawyer on Twitter:

MTV said: “MTV is deeply saddened to learn that Ashley Sawyer has passed away. Out condolences, thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends.”