If you’ve read a Jack Ketchum book, there’s a good chance you’ll never forget it. Ketchum, who was mentored by Psycho author Robert Bloch early in his career, is a household name to fans the world over for his disturbing work in the horror space, his horror novels adapted into a handful of films that are equally unforgettable.

Today we’re very sad to report that Jack Ketchum, whose real name was Dallas Mayr, has passed away at the age of 71. The sad news comes to us courtesy of actress Pollyanna McIntosh, who has starred in three films based on Ketchum’s characters.

Ketchum had been battling cancer.

Jack Ketchum’s first novel, Off Season, was published in 1980, and he further established himself as a master of horror with The Lost, The Woman, The Girl Next Door, Offspring and Red. Remarkably, all five of the aforementioned novels were turned into films, and we were ecstatic to release The Woman through our BD Selects label.

Ketchum’s “The Box” also became a segment of horror anthology XX, released last year.

“Rest In Peace Dallas,” The Woman star Pollyanna McIntosh wrote over on Instagram today. “Known to many as Jack Ketchum, Dallas loved to experience his best selling books through filmmakers’ eyes. I’ve been in 3 films based on his characters and I’ve enjoyed the hell out of them. Thank you Dallas for your work, your collaboration and your support of me and so many other writers and artists out there. You lived it your way. Your smile will be missed. Love to his family, friends and fans.”