Breitbart News announced the death of Mike Flynn, one of their founding editors late Thursday night. The cause of his death is not being released at this point. He was reportedly 48. He is survived by his wife, Holly, and a daughter, Riley Flynn, from a previous marriage. Coworkers and friends are in shock. The family is asking for privacy.

Flynn’s wife released a statement:

“It is with extreme sadness and heartbreak to announce that Mike Flynn, an Editor at Breitbart News, unexpectedly passed away Thursday evening. While Mike had many accomplishments, what he was most proud of, was being an amazing father, husband, son, and friend to all who knew him. The family wishes for privacy at this difficult time.”

Breitbart News editor-in-chief Alex Marlow explained in the site’s writeup that Flynn had been hand-picked by the late Andrew Breitbart to launch BigGovernment.com.

Breitbart News Chairman Stephen Bannon and President and CEO Larry Solov both expressed their condolences and described Flynn as an integral fighter within their operation.

“Mike was a dear friend and was there in the trenches with us from the beginning,” said Solov.

Bannon, similarly, said, “Mike was a fighter, first and foremost.”

Kerry Picket, formerly of Breitbart News and now with The Daily Caller, wrote on Twitter, “My friend Mike Flynn died today and I’m heartbroken #RIP.”

Larry O’Connor, a host at WMAL and formerly of Breitbart News, wrote, “RIP Mike Flynn. A great patriot and a loyal friend. You changed our nation for the better as Breitbart’s man in DC with Big Government.”

As reported by O’Connor for HotAir, Flynn headed up the explosive Acorn video series in 2009.

More personally, O’Connor wrote, “To his friends, Flynn was fiercely loyal, quick witted, intelligent and relentless in his defense of America’s founding ideals and the notion that individuals should have the right to live their lives without intrusion of the federal government in their lives. To his political adversaries he was tenacious and formidable yet quick with a joke and a cocktail at the end of a long, hard-fought battle.”

Breitbart News editor-at-large Joel Pollak said, “Sad news tonight. @BreitbartNews pioneer Mike Flynn @Flynn1776 has died. He was a true & loyal friend & colleague. He will be missed dearly.”

And Breitbart News Texas Bureau Chief Brandon Darby relayed his sorrow, saying, “RIP, Mike Flynn. A great human being. A patient and kind editor. Always willing to work with you and help. @Flynn1776.”

Eerily, others had just communicated with Flynn.

“OMG NO…. I was just talking to him on Twitter yesterday,” wrote a man who goes by the handle @drawandstrike.

Dan Riehl, who wrote the obit for Breitbart News, expressed sorrow for Flynn’s passing. It’s also the one-year anniversary of his aortic valve replacement surgery.

“Exactly one year later I now do a complete circuit of weight training at the Y, from 1 – 2 hours of cardio plus swim some days,” Riehl wrote on Twitter. “What I can’t get my head around is how I survived the ER in VA w 50/50 odds, open heart surgery a year later but AB, Chip and Mike are gone. They were each younger with families – just seems so unfair.”

Riehl is referring to Andrew Breitbart, who died in 2012, and Chip Gerdes in 2013.

Picket told The Mirror, “Flynn was part of the Chip Gerdes and Andrew Breitbart triumvirate. He welcomed new ideas and new faces into his strategy pool without ever being suspicious or condescending and if a friend needed help he was there to provide it. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Holly and their children.”

In a 2013 story bylined by Larry Solov, he wrote of Gerdes, “Chip’s contributions not just to our site, but to the political landscape both in Illinois and on a national level, not to mention his integral role in the grassroots and Tea Party movements, will not be forgotten. They came from the heart – a heart with an unlimited capacity for love and loyalty and the source of endless passion and drive to fight for the narrative of this country.”

Other memorials have been emerging throughout the night and early Friday morning.

Flynn’s last tweet was 19 hours ago.

His last story was published Thursday.