Sarah Danser, a former TV star, has died aged 34.
It’s been confirmed that Danser, a previous contestant on Discovery Channel’s N**ed and Afraid, has tragically passed away in Hawaii.
Known for her adventurous spirit and survival skills, Danser appeared in the eighth season of N**ed and Afraid in 2017, where she braved extreme conditions alongside a fellow contestant.
Her popularity on the show led to her return in season 11 in 2020 and subsequent appearances on N**ed and Afraid XL, the all-star edition that brings back fan favorites for further challenges.
She recently starred in another survivalist reality series, the CW’s 2023 Fight To Survive.
Originally from Castle Rock, Colorado, Danser moved to Hawaii about 12 years ago, where she built a life centered on the ocean and outdoor survival.
She worked as a master diver, boat captain, and survivalist, and often referred to herself as a ‘pirate’ due to her affinity for the sea.
In Hawaii, Danser found a close-knit community through her job at Island Divers Hawaii, where she became a beloved figure, known for her infectious positivity and energy.
In a tribute post on social media, Island Divers Hawaii expressed their sorrow, writing: “Heavy hearts as we say goodbye to a good friend and great captain. Sarah brought such great energy to everyone she came in contact with. You will be greatly missed.”
The post included a screenshot of one of Danser’s last Instagram updates, a smiling selfie taken on a boat.
She had captioned it: “Who recognizes this boat? Look who’s driving her!”
Danser’s friends and family shared memories of her resilience and passion for life.
Her father, Dan Danser, recalled a life-changing moment, saying: “I think she saved my life once, diving in Indonesia.”
Her brother, Jake, described her as ‘magical,’ with an energy that filled any room she entered, per local TV station KSLA.
Friends like Tim Mason, a fellow diver, expressed heartbreak over her passing, remembering her skill and resourcefulness.
“She was smart. She went under the water. She found food, slugs, and snails and stuff like that,” he told a local outlet. “She knew what to do to survive and she did great.”
“Sarah was of the most adventurous souls I’ve ever met,” fellow N**ed and Afraid star Melissa Lauren wrote on Facebook.
“She wasn’t only a fierce survivalist on N**ed and Afraid (she completed XL in South Africa with me), but a Breast Cancer survivor who kept an inspiring and positive attitude through her treatment. She loved the ocean, nature, and exploring — I always considered her a ‘modern-day pirate.’”
“She was one of those people who saw the world through the eyes of a child, in awe of the things that many of us take for granted,” Lauren continued. “Rest easy Sarah, I know you’re out there exploring somewhere.”
Beyond her professional pursuits, Danser’s life was marked by personal resilience.
She had survived breast cancer twice, a journey that underscored her strength and courage.
Her adventurous spirit and commitment to outdoor survival resonated with viewers of N**ed and Afraid, and her return to the show’s all-star version reflected her enduring connection with fans who admired her tenacity and knowledge of survival techniques.
In Hawaii, she found a sense of purpose and community, influencing those around her with her passion for the ocean and her drive to explore and protect the natural world.
The reality TV star was involved in a collision in Kahala on Sunday (October 20) evening.
KSLA reported that Danser was a passenger in a vehicle driven by a 59-year-old man.
He lost control, leading to a collision with a parked car, and the impact left both Danser and the driver in critical condition, as both were hospitalized.
Tragically, she passed away two days later.
Authorities have indicated that speed may have been a factor in the crash but confirmed that neither d***s nor alcohol were involved.
