The Walking Dead star Kelley Mack has died at the age of 33 after a battle with cancer.
The actress passed away peacefully on August 2, her family confirmed in a statement posted to her official Instagram account.
Mack had been living with diffuse midline glioma, a rare and fast-growing cancer that originates in the brain or spine.
Her family shared: “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.”
According to the statement, Mack died with her mother Kristen and aunt by her side.
“Kelley passed peacefully on Saturday evening with her loving mother Kristen and steadfast aunt Karen present,” the post continued.
“Kelley has already come to many of her loved ones in the form of various butterflies. She will be missed by so many to depths that words cannot express.”
Her family said Mack would be honoured at a celebration of life in Glendale, Ohio, on August 16, with a separate memorial to follow for friends and colleagues in Los Angeles.
The statement concluded with a message from Mack’s sister, who said: “And as her sister, 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. I’m so f***ing proud of her.”
Mack gained recognition for her portrayal of Addy in Season 9 of The Walking Dead, appearing in several episodes between 2018 and 2019.
She had also appeared in 9-1-1, Schooled and Chicago Med. She recently starred in the indie film Universal, which was released earlier this year.
Her death has prompted tributes from co-stars and friends across the entertainment industry, who praised her talent, kindness, and strength.
Gustavo Gomez, who starred with Mack on TWD, commented: “This is heartbreaking. I feel so lucky that our paths crossed. Your bright light will always shine on.”
“What an incredible human, so proud to have fought alongside her in our final episode together,” wrote Alanna Masterson, who starred as Tara Chamber in TWD.
The show's director Michael Satrazemis added: “I was lucky enough to create with Kelley on TWD. A bright light on every level. All my love to those who love her.”
Mack first shared details of her health struggles earlier this year, revealing she had been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer following months of unexplained pain.
In a January Instagram post, she explained that she began experiencing persistent lower back pain in September 2024, which she initially believed was caused by a slipped disc.
However, her symptoms quickly worsened, spreading to nerve pain and itching in her thigh, then progressing to severe shooting pains in her legs and back.
An emergency MRI scan, carried out the day before Thanksgiving, revealed an “abnormal mass” on her spinal cord. She was later diagnosed with diffuse midline glioma.
In her post, Mack detailed the toll that both the cancer and its diagnosis had taken on her body.
A biopsy on her spinal cord left her using a wheelchair, with full paralysis in her right leg and only partial function in her left.
Mack is survived by her mother Kristen, father Lindsay, sister Kathryn, brother Parker, her grandparents and her boyfriend Logan Lanier.
