The news was announced by WWE content officer Triple H, who posted on social media that Wyatt, who was the son of WWE Hall of Fame wrestler Mike Rotunda, had “unexpectedly passed”.

Bray Wyatt, a star professional wrestler and former World Wrestling Entertainment champion, has died unexpectedly at the age of 36.

The news was announced by WWE chief content officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque, who posted on social media that Wyatt had “unexpectedly passed”.

“Just received a call from WWE Hall of Famer Mike Rotunda who informed us of the tragic news that our WWE family member for life Windham Rotunda – also known as Bray Wyatt – unexpectedly passed earlier today,” Triple H tweeted Thursday.

“Our thoughts are with his family and we ask that everyone respect their privacy at this time.”

WWE did not immediately release the location or official cause of death, but wrestling reporter Sean Ross Sapp reported it was due to a heart attack.

Wyatt had been dealing with an undisclosed health issue that had kept him out of the ring since February. He had been off-air as he recovered from a “life-threatening illness” – heart issues exacerbated by COVID, according to Sapp.

“There was a lot of positive progress towards a return and his recovery,” he said. “Unfortunately today he suffered a heart attack and passed away.”

Actor and former wrestler Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was among those paying tribute to Wyatt.

“I’m heartbroken over the news of Bray Wyatt’s passing. Always had tremendous respect and love for him and the Rotunda family,” he said on social media

“Loved his presence, promos, in ring work, and connection with @WWE universe. Very unique, cool, and rare character, which is hard to create in our crazy world of pro wrestling.”

WWE commentator Mick Foley added: “I thought so highly of Bray Wyatt... He was a true visionary; one of the most compelling presences that wrestling has ever seen.”

Wyatt came from a family of wrestlers, including his grandfather Blackjack Mulligan, his father Mike Rotunda, and his younger brother Bo Dallas.

He became WWE Champion in 2017 and wrestled as multiple characters during his career, including as a member of The Wyatt Family and as a nightmarish masked alter ego called The Fiend.

The three-time WWE world champion is survived by his fiancee and former WWE ring announcer Joseann Offerman, their two children, and two children from a previous relationship.