Kelley Mack’s death shocked her loved ones.
Mack’s rep told TMZ Thursday that the “Walking Dead” star’s passing at age 33 was a “total” surprise.
Mack, according to her rep, was auditioning for roles earlier this summer after she underwent cancer treatment in February and experienced a “nice recovery.”
But by July, Mack had to take a break from auditioning, per the rep, who said the actress spent an “immense” amount of time with her loved ones as her cancer relapsed and spread throughout her body.
Mack’s rep stated that “no one” expected her death.
Before she passed, Mack reportedly shot a currently-airing commercial for the e-commerce site Rakuten with her mom, Kristen, in April. She also filmed an upcoming movie called “Universal” last year, per TMZ’s sources.
The rising star succumbed to glioma, a form of cancer that affects the central nervous system.
Her sister, Kathryn Klebenow, announced her death in a heartbreaking statement on Tuesday .
“Kelley passed peacefully on Saturday evening with her loving mother Kristen and steadfast aunt Karen present,” Klebenow wrote on Instagram. “Such a bright, fervent light has transitioned to the beyond, where we all eventually must go.”
“Kelley has already come to many of her loved ones in the form of various butterflies,” Mack’s sister added. “She will be missed by so many to depths that words cannot express.”
Mack was best known for her role as Addy in “The Walking Dead” Season 9. Scott M. Gimple, a writer for the zombie show, paid tribute to Mack on social media on Wednesday.
“Sad news about a massively talented member of the ‘TWD’ family,” Gimple, 54, wrote on X. “We’re grateful we got to work with Kelley Mack and share her magic with the world.”
Mack announced in January she was diagnosed with diffuse midline glioma. After undergoing biopsy surgery on her spinal cord, Mack lost the use of one of her legs and ended up in a wheelchair.
“It has been a very emotional and challenging time, truly testing my mental fortitude, faith, and physical strength,” she said about her cancer battle in an Instagram post at the time.
“I just wanted to share this to be open about what I’m going through, in case any of you can relate or have been given a similar diagnosis,” Mack continued, adding, “I do have some projects coming out soon, which I will of course share once they are released.”
Mack is survived by her mother and father, Kristen and Lindsay Klebenow, sister Kathryn, brother Parker, and grandmother and grandfather Lois and Larry Klebenow.
Her funeral will be on August 16 in Glendale, Ohio.
