Ashley Sawyer, who appeared on season 2 of MTV’s Catfish with the late Michael Fortunato died this weekend in Alabama.
MTV News confirmed the sad news today, and Sawyer’s sister Jessica Ross told them “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.”
Ashley appeared on the internet investigation show helmed by Nev Shulman and Max Joseph in 2013 after she contacted them to try and meet her longtime internet love interest, Michael Fortunato.
Both Ashley and Michael had used altered images of themselves when speaking online to each other and were unsure at the end of the episode as to how they would continue with their relationship.
Fortunato tragically passed away a month after the episode aired of a pulmonary embolism at the age of 26.
During a catch-up episode, Ashley told Max that she was staying in a sober-living facility after battling addiction.
Jessica confirmed her sister had finished a program at the rehab facility and was living and working in a bakery in Alabama at the time of her passing.
Max tweeted a heartfelt message following the tragic news.
Shocked and saddened by the death of Ashley Sawyer. So sweet and kind. Thoughts and prayers go out to her family. ?? pic.twitter.com/fC6qG84gfC
— Max Joseph (@maxjoseph) May 2, 2016