The saddest news was just announced, Carrie Fisher is dead at age 60. The actress and writer suffered a massive heart attack while on a flight from London to LAX, and went to cardiac arrest. Days later, she was declared dead.

Family spokesman Simon Halls released a statement to PEOPLE on behalf of Fisher’s daughter, Billie Lourd:

“It is with a very deep sadness that Billie Lourd confirms that her beloved mother Carrie Fisher passed away at 8:55 this morning,” reads the statement.

Fisher was born in Beverly Hills, California, to a singer father and actress mother. She made her movie debut in the 1975 comedy, Shampoo, before breaking into stardom with Star Wars: A New Hope in 1977 as Princess Leia. Her status as a pop-culture icon would live on for the rest of her life, as she popped up for cameos in many famous projects (Austin Powers, Fanboys, 30 Rock, Family Guy), as well as reprising her role as Leia for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and the as of yet titled Star Wars Episode VIII.

Mark Hamill expressed his condolences via Twitter the only way he knew how.

Our thoughts and prayers go with her family and friends.  The world has just lost their Princess.

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