Jane Bright dead: Survivor icon dies at home as fellow contestants pay tribute

Survivor: Nicaragua contestant, Jane Bright has at the age of 71. Her daughter Ashley Hammett announced the news in a Facebook post on Thursday May 15 after her body was discovered earlier that day in her North Carolina home. "Today Jane Hammett Bright was found passed away within her home by a good friend and county sheriff," she wrote in the post. No cause of death was given.

Tributes flooded in for the star from friends and fellow contestants as the news broke. Survivor: Ghost Island's Donathan Hurley, remembered her as "a firecracker". "Lord, I sure did get my heart broken when I opened up Facebook after work! One of my favorite Survivor family members, as I call them all, has passed away. I loved Jane so much!!! This lady was a firecracker! Always ready to have a good time and a good laugh! RIP Jane," he wrote on X.

Over on Facebook fans also paid tribute. "Oh no!!!!!! This is stunning. What awful, awful sad news!!! I loved her!" one wrote.

"I am so heartbroken to hear this. She was truly one of a kind and an inspiration to many in the sport. Sending prayers to family and friends as you navigate this time. Her spirit and memories will live on," another penned.

A third chimed in: "Oh, noooooo! This is a true tragedy. So very sorry, not only for her family but for the entire Sheltie Community and beyond."

Meanwhile a fourth commented: "I am so sorry to hear of her passing. She was such a force of nature. It's hard to believe she's gone. God speed her soul and may her memory be a blessing."

Jane, 56, worked as a dog trainer when she appeared on the reality series in 2010.

She was the oldest contestant of the season, but pulled her own weight and was praised for her strength and contributions to the tribe.

While she was the 13th castaway voted off, coming sixth overall, losing out to Jud "Fabio" Birza who came in first as the sole survivor while Chase Rice placed second and Matthew "Sash" Lenahan in third she didn't walk away empty handed.

She ended up winning the audience-voted Sprint Fan Favorite award, and taking home a $100,000 prize.