Discovery Channel storm chaser Joel Taylor dies at 38

Joel Taylor, who starred in the popular Discovery Channel reality series Storm Chasers, has died at age 38, friends announced.

Reed Timmer, Taylor's partner on the show, announced Taylor's death on Twitter late Tuesday. The cause of Taylor's death was not immediately available.

"RIP my best friend and storm chasing partner, Joel Taylor," Timmer said. "I am shocked and absolutely devastated by the loss of my incredible, caring friend."

Taylor grew up in Oklahoma, part of the nation's iconic "tornado alley," and studied meteorology at a University of Oklahoma. Taylor joined the Storm Chasers cast in 2008, shortly after its premiere. Discovery canceled the show in 2012.

"We chased so many intense storms, and I wish we could have just one more storm chase," Timmer said on Twitter. "I'll miss you forever, Joel. We lost a legend."

Taylor's storm-chasing team, Elk City-based Team Western OK Chaser, paid homage to Taylor on Facebook, calling Taylor an "inspiration."

"Our community of Elk City and the Storm Chasing community lost a great guy today," the post says. "He was one of the most level headed chasers on the roads and truly a classy guy outside of chasing. He didn’t chase for the glory he chased because he had a true passion for storms."

The post went on to state that the cause of Taylor's death remained a mystery.

"The medical professionals are trying to determine the cause," the post said. "It will most likely be quite a while before the medical professionals have those answers."