The Survivor community is in mourning over the death of one of its own.
Keith Nale, a two-time Survivor: San Juan del Sur and Survivor: Cambodia contestant, died at the age of 62. Wes Nale, Nale’s son, confirmed to Entertainment Tonight that his father died after a battle with cancer.
“He passed away this afternoon,” Wes said on April 18. “He’d been fighting cancer for a few months, and we only found out about it in January.” Kevin Nale, Nale’s brother, also spoke about his brother’s legacy, telling the outlet, “A life taken way too soon.”
Nale appeared in the CBS reality show Survivor: San Juan del Sur’s 29th season, which premiered in September 2014. He would also compete in Survivor: Cambodia the following year.
Nale’s Survivor castmates paid tribute to the reality star shortly after his death.
“Keith – a man with the purest heart, who brought humor into moments when it was most needed,” Kelley Wentworth, who also appeared with Nale in San Juan del Sur and Cambodia, tweeted on April 18. “I’m grateful for the chance to meet Keith and share memories with him on the beaches of Nicaragua and Cambodia.”
“My heart goes out to the entire Nale family,” she added. This is a heartbreaking loss.”
“My condolences to the Big D, Wes, Austin, and the entire Nale family,” wrote Jeremy Collins, who also competed in both Survivor seasons. Keith, you will be missed, but your legacy will live on. My firefighter/survivor brother, may you rest in peace.”
