(NEXSTAR) – A former contestant on the Discovery Channel series “Naked and Afraid” and “Naked and Afraid XL” has died in a car accident in Hawaii, according to family and friends.
Sarah Danser, 34, was initially injured Sunday night when the car she was riding in struck a parked vehicle, officials told KHNL. She was not the driver, according to police.
Danser ultimately succumbed to her injuries Tuesday with family and friends by her side, her loved ones told the outlet.
“Magical’ is the way to describe her. Sarah had this positive energy about her that just really filled the environment that she was in,” Danser’s brother said.
Danser appeared on the reality competition series “Naked and Afraid” several times between 2017 and 2021, including twice on the original series and three times on “Naked and Afraid XL,” Deadline reported. (In at least one of those appearances, Danser merely provided commentary on previous challenges, she once said on Reddit.) A fan-made database suggested that she had lasted entire challenges on multiple occasions.
During a Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) session in 2020, many fans described Danser as their “favorite” contestant from the series, with some saying they admired her resilience and sense of humor.
“Thank you, that’s very sweet of you to say,” she told one fan who called her their “absolute favorite person ever to come from this show.”
Danser, who described herself as a boat captain and SCUBA instructor on Instagram, had worked for Island Divers Hawaii, a diving instruction and tour company, her family said.
On Facebook, a representative for the company described Danser as “a good friend and great captain,” and added that their hearts were “heavy” following her death.
“Sarah brought such great energy to everyone she came in contact with. You will be greatly missed,” the Facebook post read.
The company plans to create a memorial in Danser’s honor, according to KHNL.
