Sarah Danser, a 34-year-old avid adventurer known for memorable appearances on the Discovery survival series Naked and Afraid, died after succumbing to injuries sustained in a tragic car crash in Hawaii. Danser, who is from Castle Rock, Colorado, reportedly moved to Hawaii twelve years ago.
According to multiple reports, the crash occurred on October 19, 2024. Police said on Saturday night, Danser, a passenger in a car and wearing a seat belt, was travelling eastbound in Kahala on Diamond Head Road east of Poka Street. The car was reportedly driven by Danser’s 59-year-old friend. The vehicle, suspected of speeding, lost control before colliding with a parked car with two passengers.
Danser’s friend, who was not wearing a seat belt, was hospitalized with critical injuries. Sarah Danser, who was also hospitalized in critical condition, died on Tuesday, October 22. A woman in the parked car was also hospitalized after sustaining serious injuries. The other passenger in the parked car was uninjured.
Family and friends mourn adventurer Sarah Danser
After starring in the Discovery reality TV show, Naked and Afraid, in 2017, Danser went on to appear on the all-stars show the following year. In 2023, she appeared on The CW reality show Fight to Survive.
On the heels of the tragedy, Danser was remembered by friends, family and acquaintances as a master diver, boat captain, survivalist and self-described "pirate." Hawaii News Now reported Danser lived part-time on a boat at Kewalo Basin and worked at Island Divers Hawaii in Hawaii Kai.
Danser’s Naked and Afraid co-star Melissa Lauren revealed she was a breast cancer survivor. Lauren, who described Danser as, "one of the most adventurous souls I’ve ever met," added,
"She wasn’t only a fierce survivalist on Naked and Afraid (she completed XL in South Africa with me), but a breast cancer survivor who kept an inspiring and positive attitude through her treatment.”
Hawaii News Now, citing family members, reported Danser survived breast cancer twice.
Sarah’s father and brother were reportedly at the hospital when she passed away. Her devastated father told the outlet:
“I actually saw how much of a difference she made in the lives of others.”
Danser’s brother Jake added:
“Magical is the way to describe her. Sarah had this positive energy about her that just really filled the environment that she was in.”
The community’s love was evident as social media was flooded with tributes for the beloved adventurer. A friend on Facebook wrote:
“Hawaii Friends, Please join us in a celebration of life for our dear one, Captain Sarah Danser if you can. Every moment with Sarah was an adventure!”
Another friend added:
“Goodbye Sarah Danser. I'll always remember the fun goofy times we had.”
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As the community continues to mourn, Island Divers Hawaii is reportedly organizing a memorial alongside Sarah Danser’s family.
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