MTV’s ‘Catfish’ star Mike Fortunato reportedly dropped dead at the age of 26 in Hartford, Connecticut due to a a pulmonary embolism. He was featured on the “Ashley and Mike” episode of the cyber-dating reality TV show just a few months back, where he finally was able to meet his online love-interest, Ashley Sawyer, in person.
According to Mike’s sister Gena, Mike left his job in CT to drive himself to the hospital when he swerved and crashed his car on the way, ending up dead in the hospital just a few hours later.
21-year-old Gena said, ”I don’t even know where to start. He was a little kid at heart — a gentle giant. He’s somebody who put everybody before himself; everybody else came before him. The biggest heart that you’d ever meet.”
Ashley Sawyer also spoke out about Mike’s death, saying he sent her a text message early Saturday morning about considering going to the hospital. “He would give anybody the last shirt he had — anything,” 20-year-old Sawyer told MTV. “He would put his life on hold just to make sure other people moved forward. He always put people first.”
This story is extra personal because Mike grew up in my town and went to the same high school as me. We were all so excited to see someone from our area get on TV. May his sister Gena and the rest of the Fortunato family get through this very difficult time with ease. Our prayers are with you all! Rest In Peace, Mike! You were taken way too soon.
