Radio legend Casey Kasem, who had been suffering from Lewy Body disease, a form of progressive dementia, died on Sunday at the age of 82.
His daughter Kerri Kasem announced the news on her Facebook page and stated that he was surrounded by family and friends.
"Even though we know he is in a better place and no longer suffering, we are heartbroken. Thank you for all your love, support and prayers. The world will miss Casey Kasem, an incredible talent and humanitarian; we will miss our Dad," she wrote.
Casey is survived by his second wife, Jean, and four children, Mike, Julie, Kerri and Liberty.
Towards the end of his life, Casey's family members were tangled in a bitter feud as Kerri and his two other adult children wanted to take over his care from second wife Jean. Kerri wanted to stop feeding and hydrating her father as she believed it was harmful to him in his last moments.
"Giving food and water to a dying body creates pain and further suffering," Kerri claimed at the time, according to New York Daily News. "My father can no longer digest foods, and fluids fill his lungs up and will suffocate him."
A spokesman for Casey's daughters — Kerri, Julie and Liberty — told the media that Jean will make funeral and burial arrangements, while Julie has a memorial service planned for Saturday, New York Daily News reported.
Casey became an icon in the 70s, 80s and 90s following the popularity of his countdown shows, where he would play top songs interspaced with trivia about singers and tracks.
His final broadcast was in 2009 where he credited his co-workers for his success.
"I'd like to share with you something I've learned over the years: Success doesn't happen in a vacuum. You're only as good as the people you work with, and the people you work for. I've been lucky; I've worked for and with the very best," he said, according to CBS News.
He also signed off every countdown with the words, "Keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the stars."
Throughout his career, Casey also worked in television, lending his voice to Robin in "The Batman/Superman Hour" Shaggy in Scooby-Doo among others. He is believed to have had a net worth estimated at $80 million.
Casey's death is being mourned by some of the biggest radio hosts today, with Ryan Seacrest stating that it was a sad day for the broadcasting community and radio listeners around the world.
"When I was a kid, I would listen to Casey Kasem's AT40 show every weekend, and dream about someday becoming a radio DJ. So when decades later I took over his AT40 countdown show, it was a surreal moment. Casey had a distinctive friendly on-air voice, and he was just as affable and nice if you had the privilege to be in his company. He'll be greatly missed by all of us," Seacrest said in a statement cited by the media.
