Deadliest Catch Captain Phil Harris is dead, according to reports this evening.

The Discovery Network released a statement from Phil Harris’ sons about their dad’s death:

It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our dad – Captain Phil Harris. Dad has always been a fighter and continued to be until the end. For us and the crew, he was someone who never backed down. We will remember and celebrate that strength. Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers.

Discovery issued the following statement about Phil Harris’ death:

“Discovery mourns the loss of dear friend and colleague Captain Phil Harris. He was more than someone on our television screen. Phil was a devoted father and loyal friend to all who knew him. We will miss his straightforward honesty, wicked sense of humor and enormous heart. We share our tremendous sadness over this loss with the millions of viewers who followed Phil’s every move. We send our thoughts and prayers to Phil’s sons Josh and Jake and the Cornelia Marie crew.”

Deadliest Catch’s Phil Harris was the captain of the Cornelia Marie; he had suffered a stroke on January 29, was placed in a coma after surgery, then woke from the coma last week and was reportedly improving.

News that Harris died hit Twitter late tonight, with fans of the reality show shocked about this sudden turn of events.

R.I.P.