‘Storm Chasers’ Star Joel Taylor Died On Cruise Ship In Puerto Rico – Update

Update Storm Chasers star Joel Taylor died of as-yet-undetermined causes while aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship docked in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

In a press statement, a Royal Caribbean Cruises spokesperson said, “As is our standard procedure, law enforcement was notified and responded to the ship when it arrived in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Tuesday, January 23. We extend our most sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the 38-year-old male guest from the United States who died while onboard Harmony of the Seas.”

The Discovery Network released the following statement about its former Storm Chasers star: “We are so saddened to hear about Joel’s passing. We will always remember him fondly as an incredible meteorologist and driver of ‘The Dominator.’ Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”

NBC News has reported that foul play is not suspected in Taylor’s death, and that his family identified the body. An autopsy was scheduled.

Previous, Wednesday Joel Taylor, a star of Discovery Channel’s Storm Chasers documentary reality series, died yesterday, friends and colleagues have confirmed. Taylor was 38, and no cause of death has yet been disclosed.

“RIP my best friend and storm chasing partner, Joel Taylor. I am shocked and absolutely devastated by the loss of my incredible, caring friend,” wrote Reed Timmer, Taylor’s former Storm Chasers costar. “We chased so many intense storms, and I wish we could have just one more storm chase. I’ll miss you forever, Joel. We lost a legend.”

News of Taylor’s death spread quickly in the storm-chasing community after the Western Oklahoma storm-chasing group Team Western OK Chasers announced the news on Facebook last night:

“Our community of Elk City and the Storm Chasing community lost a great guy today. Joel Taylor was truly an inspiration to myself and many who knew him. 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. In the last few years he’d load up with his dad and go chase and not even take a camera. Our hearts are hurting for his mom Tracy and dad Jimmy along with his brother and sister and their children. Please know you are in our prayers. RIP Joel.”

Team Western later updated the post to note that medical professionals were trying to determine the cause of death. “It will most likely be quite a while before the medical professionals have those answers and when they do then it will be relayed to the family.”

Taylor, a native of Oklahoma, had been on Storm Chasers from 2008 until its cancellation in 2012.