Dan Kay of 'Survivor: Gabon' dies at 40

BROOKLINE, N.H., Jan. 4 (UPI) -- Dan Kay of Survivor: Gabon died over the weekend at age 40.

The Season 17 contestant died "unexpectedly" on Dec. 31, according to his obituary, leaving daughter Reese and son Jax behind.

Kay's girlfriend, Jennifer DePietro, told Radar Online the family is "grieving" and "not releasing how [Dan] passed at this time." Kay is also survived by his mother, Jean-Ann and sister, Andrea.

Survivor host Jeff Probst and Kay's fellow Season 17 contestant Gillian Larson were among those to share their condolences online.

"I just heard the very sad news about the sudden loss of Dan Kay of Survivor: Gabon. The Survivor family sends our love to Dan's family," Probst tweeted Tuesday.

"Terribly sad news," Larson wrote on Facebook. "RIP Dan Kay My love and condolences to his family. His Survivor family has you in their hearts."

Kay lasted 21 days on Survivor: Gabon, which aired on CBS in 2008. He was remembered in his obituary as having "a smile that could light up a room" and for his "dedication, attention to detail and strong work ethic."