'Survivor: Gabon' contestant Dan Kay dies at 40

(CBS)

A former contestant on "Survivor: Gabon" died suddenly on New Years' Eve.

Dan Kay, who competed on season 17 of the CBS show, died "unexpectedly" according to his obituary.

"Suvivor" host Jeff Probst shared his condolences on Twitter.

Kay lasted 21 days on "Survivor" before being voted off the island in 2008.

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According to Kay's obituary, the "Survivor" star earned a law degree from Syracuse University and worked as a Supervisory Contracting Officer as a civilian for the U.S. Air Force at Hanscom Air Force Base.

"Dan had a smile that could light up a room," his obituary reads. "More than anything, Dan cherished the time he spent with his two young children."

A cause of death is unknown. He is survived by his two children, mother, sister, two nieces and his girlfriend.