‘The Walking Dead’ Star Kelley Mack Dies at Age 33 in Her Ohio Hometown After Brief Battle With Cancer

“The Walking Dead” star Kelley Mack has passed away in her hometown of Cincinnati, just a few months after she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer that attacks the nervous system.

The actress “passed away peacefully” after an aggressive battle with glioma, according to a statement shared by her family.

Mack, who has born Kelley Klebenow, was diagnosed with the rare cancer in January 2025, revealing in an Instagram post shared that month that she was undergoing treatment for diffuse midline glioma, a type of tumor that targets the brain or spinal cord.

The actress’ tragic passing was announced on social media by her sister, Kathryn, who revealed that Mack passed away Aug. 2, just seven months after she revealed the news of her diagnosis.

“It is with indelible sadness that we are announcing the passing of our dear Kelley. Such a bright, fervent light has transitioned to the beyond, where we all eventually must go,” the statement, which was shared alongside a photo of the actress, read.

“Kelley passed peacefully on Saturday evening with her loving mother Kristen and steadfast aunt Karen present. Kelley has already come to many of her loved ones in the form of various butterflies. She will be missed by so many to depths that words cannot express.

“Kelley’s Caringbridge link in her bio includes the 2-page formal announcement with information on her upcoming life celebration in Ohio on August 16th.

“She would want you all to know how much she loves you. And as her sister, I want you all to know how brave that tough SOB was, especially when she decided to make the leap to be reunited with God. I’m so f—g proud of her,” Mack’s sister added.

After receiving the devastating diagnosis, Mack began sharing her health journey with fans on her blog, which was posted on the CaringBridge health platform.

At the time of her diagnosis, she revealed that her symptoms began in October 2024 with “persistent lower back pain” that began soon after she moved in with her boyfriend.

“In September, I moved into a new apartment with my boyfriend, Logan,” she explained. “For a month after that, I had persistent lower back pain and thought I slipped a disc.

“A few weeks later, I had neuropathic itching in my right quad. And then, the shooting pains in my legs and back began, which resulted in me having to sleep in a recliner for a month because laying down was too painful.

“On Thanksgiving Eve, I had emergency MRIs done at the hospital, which revealed an abnormal mass in my spinal cord.”

A mere two months later, Mack was diagnosed with diffuse midline glioma, which is a rare fast-growing tumor that causes double vision, problems swallowing, weakness on one or both sides of the body, and loss of balance during the beginning stages, according to the National Cancer Institute.

“Due to the biopsy surgery on my spinal cord, I have lost the use of my right leg and most of my left leg, so I now get around with a walker and a wheelchair,” Mack revealed at the time.

She shared her health journey with her fans, even documenting her achievements. In March, the actress documented herself “re-learning to walk” during physical therapy.

“Life has also had its ups and downs lately am I right,” Mack said.

The actress was thrust into the limelight as a kid thanks to her roles in commercials and in the film “The Elephant Garden.”

She then rose to stardom after appearing in five episodes of “The Walking Dead” Season 9.

“I was only supposed to be in two episodes originally, so I was grateful to have been able to work on five of them and hadn’t anticipated that I’d stay on the show for too long,” Mack revealed to Alternative Mindz in 2019.

She also appeared in several short films and had brief stints on “9-1-1” and “Chicago Med.”

The actress is survived by her mother and father, Kristen and Lindsay Klebenow, sister, Kathryn, brother Parker, and grandmother and grandfather Lois and Larry Klebenow.

Mack’s funeral is set to be held Aug. 16 in Glendale, OH.