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"Storm Chasers" Star Joel Taylor Dies From Alleged Drug Overdose On Gay Cruise

This isn’t the first time a drug overdose has taken the life of a passenger aboard an Atlantis cruise.

Joel Taylor, star of Discovery Channel’s Storm Chasers, has died of an alleged drug overdose aboard an Atlantis gay cruise to the Caribbean.

Taylor, 38, reportedly fell unconscious after consuming a large quantity of GHB, sometimes referred to the “date rape drug,” aboard the Harmony of the Seas. He was carried off the dance floor by two friends who took him to his cabin, where he was pronounced dead Tuesday morning.

On Wednesday, Taylor's family identified his body in San Juan, Puerto Rico. An autopsy has yet to be performed, so the official cause of death has yet to be announced.

“As is our standard procedure, law enforcement was notified and responded to the ship when it arrived in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Tuesday, January 23,” Owen Torres, manager of global corporate communications for Royal Caribbean Cruises, told People. “We extend our most sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the 38-year-old male guest from the United States who died while onboard Harmony of the Seas. A member of our Care Team is providing support and assistance to his family."

This isn’t the first time a drug overdose has taken the life of a passenger aboard an Atlantis cruise: In 2009, 46-year-old Spencer Yu died aboard The Mariner of the Seas. In 2011, a passenger was arrested for selling large quantities of ecstasy, meth, ketamine and other drugs on the Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas, where there were reportedly more than half-dozen overdoses.

Taylor's Storm Chasers co-star Reed Trimmer took to Twitter with heartfelt message.

Other fans mourned the loss of the docu-series star, as well.

Spotter Network created a tribute to Taylor, centered on his “backyard” in Western Oklahoma.

Despite his passing, though, the party continued aboard the ship—pop star Olivia Newton John performed Tuesday evening. Captain Johnny Faevelen posted a picture with the pop star just hours after Taylor was pronounced dead.

The Discovery Channel, which aired Storm Chasers for five seasons ending in 2012, issued a statement about Taylor's passing.

"We will always remember him fondly as an incredible meteorologist and driver of ‘The Dominator.’ Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”

According to at least one passenger, Taylor was not the only fatality aboard the Harmony, which sailed from Ft. Lauderdale on January 20 and is scheduled to return on January 27.

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