Special effects master John Carl Buechler has lost his battle with cancer, according to various sources on social media. He was 66.

Buechler is best known for his work on films such as Re-Animator, A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master, Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers, Ghoulies, and From Beyond, not to mention being the director of Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood, which introduced fans to Kane Hodder’s Jason Voorhees.

He was an integral part of Charles Band’s Empire Pictures having both directed and provided the effects for Troll, The Dungeonmaster (segment “Demons of the Dead”), and Cellar Dweller. He also proved the effects work for Trancers, TerrorVision, and the aforementioned Re-Animator. He would also reteam with Kane Hodder on Adam Green’s first Hatchet film.

IMBd notes that, when he ran the make-up effects department at New World Pictures, Roger Corman called him “…the best in the business.”

We send our thoughts and prayers to all of his surviving friends and family.