Kelley Mack’s death was “unexpected” despite her being diagnosed with cancer, her rep revealed.
A representative for the late The Walking Dead actress told People that they were “totally surprised” when she died on August 2. In fact, the representative revealed that Mack was auditioning for roles up until June.
“We had no idea the turn it took and it was very unexpected,” the representative said.
Mack died at age 33 after she was diagnosed with glioma of the central nervous system. Her death was announced by her family in an Instagram post shared to her account on Tuesday, August 5.
“It is with indelible sadness that we are announcing the passing of our dear Kelley. Such a bright, fervent light has transitioned to the beyond, where we all eventually must go,” the statement read alongside a photo of Mack.
After noting that she “passed peacefully,” Mack’s family insisted that she put up a fight before her death. “I want you all to know how brave that tough SOB was, especially when she decided to make the leap to be reunited with God,” the post concluded. “I’m so f–king proud of her.”
Parade Daily🎬 SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬
Mack first told fans about her diagnosis in a January Instagram post. “In September, I moved into a new apartment with my boyfriend, Logan. For a month after that, I had persistent lower back pain and thought I slipped a disc. A few weeks later, I had neuropathic itching in my right quad. And then, the shooting pains in my legs and back began, which resulted in me having to sleep in a recliner for a month because laying down was too painful,” she wrote at the time. “On Thanksgiving Eve, I had emergency MRIs done at the hospital, which revealed an abnormal mass in my spinal cord.”
She was eventually diagnosed with the “extremely rare type” of cancer. “Due to the biopsy surgery on my spinal cord, I have lost the use of my right leg and most of my left leg, so I now get around with a walker and a wheelchair,” the 9-1-1 actress wrote.
