ESPN reporter Edward Aschoff, who died last month, had Stage 4 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, fiancée says

Chris Bumbaca | USA TODAY

Edward Aschoff tragically lost his life on Christmas Eve — his 34th birthday — following a brief and sudden illness.

Shortly after his passing, Aschoff's fiancée Katy Berteau posted on his Twitter account the cause of death was attributed to hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), an unregulated over-action of the immune system. He initially entered the hospital with an advanced case of pneumonia.

On Wednesday evening, Berteau took to Aschoff's Twitter to reveal that doctors found Stage 4 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in his lungs after his death.

"Both pneumonia and non-Hodgkins lymphoma can trigger HLH in the body and that is seemingly what happened with Edward," Berteau wrote as part of an emotional nine-tweet thread. "All of this combined is what led to his very rapid decline those last few days, and ultimately his passing."

(3/9) Both pneumonia and non-Hodgkins lymphoma can trigger HLH in the body and that is seemingly what happened with Edward. All of this combined is what led to his very rapid decline those last few days, and ultimately his passing. pic.twitter.com/blXaF6UJC3 — Edward Aschoff (@AschoffESPN) January 16, 2020

(5/9) I hope this information helps people in dealing with this tragedy. It has helped me knowing that his passing was inevitable, and I’m at least grateful he didn’t have to go through the painful treatment and drawn out process of battling the disease pic.twitter.com/4nr4Gys1em — Edward Aschoff (@AschoffESPN) January 16, 2020

"It has helped me knowing that his passing was inevitable, and I’m at least grateful he didn’t have to go through the painful treatment and drawn out process of battling the disease," Berteau added.

Berteau and Aschoff were set to be married in April 2020.

(8/9) Again, thank you to everyone for your continuous support. To all of you who have reached out, provided and offered support, donated, attended services, shared their favorite Edward stories, how he touched your life, thank you, from bottom of my ❤️



-Katy Berteau pic.twitter.com/my2ES04HU6 — Edward Aschoff (@AschoffESPN) January 16, 2020

Aschoff was a native of Oxford, Mississippi, and a 2008 graduate of the University of Florida. He started his career at ESPN as an SEC reporter for ESPN.com in 2011, before taking on a more prominent role — including television — in 2017.

Contributing: Ellen Horrow