In heartbreaking news for fans of Home and Away, it has been confirmed that former cast member Daniel Harwood, known for his brief but memorable turn as troubled Summer Bay lifeguard Ryder “Ry” Collins in 2012–2013, has passed away at the age of 41.

Harwood’s family released a private statement earlier this morning, revealing that the actor died peacefully overnight following what they described as “a sudden medical complication.” While the family has asked for privacy during this devastating time, tributes from former co-stars and industry colleagues have already begun to pour in, each painting a picture of a warm, generous and fiercely dedicated performer whose time in the spotlight may have been short, but undeniably impactful.

Harwood joined Home and Away during one of its most turbulent story years, arriving in Summer Bay as new hire “Ry,” a young man escaping a shadowy past marked by family estrangement and a string of poor decisions. His character’s redemption arc—helped along by an emotional friendship with fan favourite Indi Walker—was one that viewers quickly latched onto. Though he departed the series after a single season, Harwood remained a fan favourite, often making appearances at conventions and charity events connected to the long-running Aussie soap.

According to a source close to the production, the cast group chat “exploded with shock and sadness” when the news filtered through in the early hours of the morning. One former castmate, who asked not to be named, said the loss had struck “like a punch to the chest,” adding: “Daniel was one of the good ones. Kind, funny, and always the first to offer help when someone was struggling. None of us can believe he’s gone.”

Harwood’s post–Home and Away career saw him shift away from high-profile acting work, instead focusing on behind-the-scenes roles in the indie film community and teaching acting workshops for teens. His students, many of whom stayed in contact with him long after their courses ended, have taken to social media with emotional tributes celebrating his patience, humour and unwavering encouragement.

Friends say Harwood had recently spoken about returning to on-screen roles, even auditioning for several streaming dramas in the past year. One described him as being “the most creatively energised he’d been in a decade,” making today’s news all the more devastating.

In the small coastal town where Harwood lived, locals have reportedly begun placing flowers outside the community arts centre where he frequently volunteered. Plans for a public memorial are said to be underway, though nothing has been officially confirmed.

For the extended Home and Away family—cast, crew and fans alike—Daniel Harwood’s passing marks the loss of a gentle, talented soul whose light left a lasting glow. As Summer Bay has taught viewers for decades, life can change in an instant… and today, the world feels a little dimmer without him.