Joel Taylor, of Discovery Channel’s defunct show “Storm Chasers,” unexpectedly died Tuesday at the age of 38 of what might be a suspected overdose.
It was not immediately clear how Taylor died but it was not believed to be storm-related, People reported.
Taylor studied meteorology at the University of Oklahoma before becoming a driver with his friend and “Storm Chasers” co-star Reed Timmer and chasing storms in Oklahoma’s Tornado Alley. Taylor starred on “Storm Chasers” from 2008 until it was canceled in 2012. The show followed a group of scientists as they “chased” tornadoes in order to study the storm’s path and behavior.
Taylor’s friends and co-stars paid tribute to the storm chaser on social media Tuesday.
“RIP my best friend and storm chasing partner, Joel Taylor. I am shocked and absolutely devastated by the loss of my incredible, caring friend,” Timmer wrote. “We chased so many intense storms, and I wish we could have just one more storm chase. I’ll miss you forever, Joel. We lost a legend.”
RIP my best friend and storm chasing partner, Joel Taylor. I am shocked and absolutely devastated by the loss of my incredible, caring friend. We chased so many intense storms, and I wish we could have just one more storm chase. I'll miss you forever, Joel. We lost a legend pic.twitter.com/htN45t8wik
— Reed Timmer, PhD (@ReedTimmerUSA) January 24, 2018
Mike Olbinski also remembered his friend Taylor.
“I was lucky enough to meet Joel a few years ago at Reed’s wedding. He was so kind to me and we got to hang out for a bit during those few days,” Olbinski tweeted. “I snapped this photo of him and that just seemed like who he was. A huge smile. RIP Joel Taylor…you will be so missed.”
I was lucky enough to meet Joel a few years ago at Reed’s wedding. He was so kind to me and we got to hang out for a bit during those few days. I snapped this photo of him and that just seemed like who he was. A huge smile. RIP Joel Taylor…you will be so missed. pic.twitter.com/mZI5eHzhKG
— Mike Olbinski (@MikeOlbinski) January 24, 2018
Team Western Oklahoma Chaser, a group Taylor was a part of, also paid tribute to the young storm chaser.
“He didn’t chase for the glory he chased because he had a true passion for storms. In the last few years he’d load up with his dad and go chase and not even take a camera,” the group stated. “Our hearts are hurting for his mom Tracy and dad Jimmy along with his brother and sister and their children. Please know you are in our prayers. RIP Joel.”
(Source: FOX News)