The soap opera world is mourning the loss of Emmy-winning writer Michael Slade, who passed away after a three-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. His friend, Kevin Spirtas (ex-Dr. Craig Wesley, Days of our Lives), with whom he co-created the web series After Forever, shared the sad news on Facebook.

"It is with great sadness and heavy heart that this afternoon my producing and writing partner on After Forever the series Michael Slade has died," he wrote. "For the past 3.5 years, while writing and filming both Season 2, and the upcoming Riley's Unforgettable School Project, he has been a warrior in his battle with cancer. Everyone who knew Michael, and his work, will be forever touched by his generosity, his talent, his friendship, and his love. Join me in sending our dearly departed Michael, and his family our unlimited love and condolences. RIP sweet Michael. You are a true angel and you will be forever missed."

Slade's résumé includes writing credits on the soap operas One Life to Live, Days of our Lives, Passions, and Another World. He teamed with Spirtas to create and write 2018's After Forever, which took home the Outstanding Writing prize for a Digital Drama Series at the Daytime Emmy Awards in both 2019 and 2020.

Soap opera writer and producer Jared Kaplan also took to social media to mark Slade's passing. "This is very sad," he wrote. "@SladewrightNYC worked on #OneLifetoLive way before I got there, but I met and worked with him on the #OLTL reboot in 2013. He was incredibly nice and stopped by to hang out and chat often. He will definitely be missed."

This is very sad. @SladewrightNYC worked on #OneLifetoLive way before I got there, but I met and worked with him on the #OLTL reboot in 2013. He was incredibly nice and stopped by to hang out and chat often. He will definitely be missed. https://t.co/L8uLFrU361

- Jared Kaplan (@JaredKaplan) December 28, 2020

How do you feel about the passing of Michael Slade? Are you a fan of his and Kevin Spirtas' digital soap After Forever? We want to hear from you -- so drop your comments in the Comments section below, tweet about it on Twitter, share it on Facebook, or chat about it on our Message Boards.

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