After a long and brave battle with cancer, Diem Brown died on Friday, Nov. 14, at the age of 32. MTV released a statement shortly after the Challenge star's passing, along with members of the Challenge and MTV community.
"MTV is tremendously sad to hear the news that Diem Brown has lost her long battle with cancer," the network told Us Weekly in a statement. "We send our deepest condolences to her family and friends. Diem was a true fighter and brought passion to everything she touched. We will miss her."
After overcoming the disease in 2006 and again, in 2012, the reality star was diagnosed with cancer for the third time in summer 2014. Still, Brown's fierce fight to survive continued to inspire many. In one of her final tweets, she wrote: "Whatever option I have to LIVE I'm grabbing! …No is not an option."
Former Challenge stars took to their social media accounts on Friday to react to the news.
Mark Long
"I have soo many wonderful, positive memories of Diem," MTV veteran Long tells Us. "I loved her spirit, her positivity, and her never ending "fight to live" attitude. She was the type of person that truly could light up a room, and also made everyone in that room feel important and special. She touched so many people in her short time on earth and i will miss her. My heart is heavy today and I hope everyone remembers her spirit, her smile, and never give up attitude. #LoveForDiem."
Alicia Quarles
Brown's best friend shared a sweet message alongside a stunning photo of the reality star Friday afternoon. "I've always told you, you are my earth angel," Quarles wrote. "Now, you are our heavinly angel. I see you dancing in heaven with your mother and grandmother. I promise to live the best life possible for both of us. Thank you for teaching me grace, faith, tenacity and for the gift of Medgift.com You and I will never end. You are my true, dear love."
Cara Maria
Brown's close friend and MTV costar shared an Instagram video of the star, writing: "From shock and tears…. to smiles… This is @diembrown This is off the show…Straight pure dancing happiness and full of life. THIS is the Diem i know. There is no 'losing the fight' or 'losing the battle' to cancer. Please dont ever think or say that. She has done nothing but WIN with her life. She is an angel put here for us to teach us lessons. Diem has inspired strength to those who felt weak. She has reached out a hand to those who felt alone. She created MEDGIFT and left a beautiful legacy through her passion for helping others. She has shown all of us how to come together in prayer and love. What she has left us is the biggest gift in the world. We are sad because this heart of life got taken away from us too soon…. But we should celebrate what she has done. Celebrate her life. Be thankful for what she has taught us through her struggles. Know that life and health are never guaranteed. Tell those close to you that you love them. Be thankful for all the little things. Diems life, struggles, and death all had a purpose. Take everything she has taught you and be a better person for it. Prayers to her family. Diem is truly dancing with the stars now. All my love. Thank you Diem for reaching out to a lonely weirdo for a thanksgiving meal all those years ago. You changed my life more than you could ever know. I will pass along your kindness in your honor. Love you. You are and always will be a Warrior."
She is clothed in strength and dignity and she laughs without fear of the future. -Proverbs 31:25 Rest in peace my sweet Diem
— Johnny Bananas (@MTVBananas) November 14, 2014
My heart hurts to hear that a dear friend and the sweetest most beautiful person inside and out has passed. #ripdiem @DiemBrownMTV
— Ryan Knight (@Knight_MTV) November 14, 2014
Nobody knows the bond of how close we all are from doing these challenges, petty shit behind us, we're all 1 big hurt family now #loveyaDiem
— Ryan Knight (@Knight_MTV) November 14, 2014
Words can't express. So fast and so young. You will be missed @DiemBrownMTV #RIPDiem #curecancer pic.twitter.com/AgqgGztrRz
— Trishelle (@TrishelleC) November 14, 2014
My beautiful friend. @DiemBrownMTV I will be forever grateful for all the amazing moments I got to share w/ you. I LOVE YOU D. #RIPDiemBrown
— Camila Nakagawa (@CamilaMTV) November 14, 2014
@DiemBrownMTV Thank you for the smiles and hugs all throughout the time we had together. Enjoy the view from up there. You are missed.
— Frank Sweeney (@frankcsweeney) November 14, 2014
My heart is broken.@DiemBrownMTV was such a beautiful person inside and out. Her strength and determination is to be admired by many. RIP
— Katie Cooley (@KatieDoyle26) November 14, 2014
She gave me a beautiful chandelier as a wedding gift that's in my master bathroom. Very fitting as she really did light up a room. #RIPDiem
— Katie Cooley (@KatieDoyle26) November 14, 2014
Speechless.Can't believe such a kind angel was taken so soon. @MTV, The Challenges, & the world in general will never be the same. #RIPDiem
— Devyn Simone (@DevynSimone) November 14, 2014
It's very sad to hear about @DiemBrownMTV's passing. I believe in a heaven and I have no doubt she was received lovingly on the other end.
— Chet Cannon (@Chet_Cannon) November 14, 2014
R.I.P. Diem Brown.. Such an amazing person and I'm glad we were able to start our careers on Fresh Meat I together. You were always smiling
— Big Easy (@EricBanks) November 14, 2014
Anyone that was ever blessed with @DiemBrownMTV presence knew how much she lit up a room no bigger fighter out there, my thoughts & prayers!
— JohnnyReilly™ (@JohnnyReilly_) November 14, 2014
The world lost a wonderful, inspiring, brave soul this morning. All of the love and care in my heart goes out to you @DiemBrownMTV
— Jordan Wiseley (@JordanW_usa) November 14, 2014
OMG is this true about Diem passing?!? So sad, my heart and prayers go out to all her family and friends??#mtvfamily ????
— Nicole Polizzi (@snooki) November 14, 2014
Words cannot express what @DiemBrownMTV meant to all of us on the challenge. My prayers go out to her family and loved ones
— ZachMTV (@ZachMTV) November 14, 2014
RIP Diem Brown. You will be missed greatly. We were all better people to have known you. @DiemBrownMTV #missmyfriend
— Adam King (@AdamKingMTV) November 14, 2014
So Sad To Hear About @DiemBrownMTV ! So Young And Such A Great Person ! #diembrown #RIPDiem
— DJ Pauly D (@DJPaulyD) November 14, 2014
