'Last Comic Standing' Comedian Ralphie May Dead at 45 After Cardiac Arrest

Standup comedian Ralph O. “Ralphie” May died on the morning of Friday, Oct. 6 in Las Vegas, PEOPLE confirms. He was 45.

“Ralphie had been battling pneumonia and had canceled a handful of dates over the last month in an effort to recover,” May’s manager said in a statement. “Earlier this morning at a private residence in Las Vegas his body was discovered, cause of death is cardiac arrest.”

“Two days ago he won the Casino Comedian of the Year at the Global Gaming Expo and had performances throughout the remainder of 2017 as part of his residency at Harrah’s Las Vegas,” his manager said.

Two months after his death, Clark County Coroner John Fudenberg confirmed in a statement to PEOPLE on Dec. 6 that May died “from Hypertensive Cardiovascular Disease. The manner of his death was natural. We extend our sincere condolences to Mr. May’s family and friends.”

In 2003, May competed in the first season of Last Comic Standing, finishing in second place. The comedian went on to record multiple comedy specials for Comedy Central and Netflix, including Girth of a Nation.

His death was mourned by fellow comedians including Larry the Cable Guy and Gabriel Iglesias.

“Oh man fellow comedian and my friend Ralphie May just died. So crazy,” wrote Larry the Cable Guy on Twitter on Friday. “RIP Ralphie. You my friend were one of the nicest and kindest out there.”

“I’m at a loss for words to hear about the passing of comedian Ralphie May,” added Iglesias. “He was a friend to many and a father of 2 beautiful children.”

May and his wife, comedian Lahna Turner, filed for divorce in 2015. The couple had two children, daughter April June, 10, and 8-year-old son August James.