Olympic Ice Dancer Chris Reed Dead at 30

Olympic ice dancer Chris Reed has died at the age of 30.

According to Japan's skating federation, Reed suffered a sudden heart attack and passed away in Detroit on Saturday.

Reed's sister Allison confirmed his death, writing on Instagram, “It deeply saddens me to tell you all my brother, my sweet, kind, charismatic, and loving big brother Chris, has passed away suddenly over the weekend. Words just cannot describe how much this pains me. Chris was such a pure spirit. He filled any room he walked into with so much joy and laughter. He always knew how to make me smile. I love you bro.”

His girlfriend Kerstin Frank added on Instagram, “You will always be the love of my life...my soulmate...my match made in heaven🖤 I know we will be together one day again my love 🖤 You are such a special person to me and everyone who had the chance to get to know you ❤️.”

Reed last competed in 2018. One of his last competitions was at the PyeongChang Olympics, where he placed 15th with partner Kana Muramoto.

While he was born in Michigan to a Japanese mother and American father, Chris and his older sister Cathy decided to represent Japan from 2006 onward in ice dancing competitions.

After his retirement in 2019, Reed had plans to work as an ice dance coach in Japan. An International Skating Union press release said, “He always wanted to stay involved in the sport and to help to develop ice dance in Japan. He was busily preparing for his second career as a choreographer and ice dance coach with his sister Cathy in Japan.”