SO. Shock and Heartbreak: “9-1-1: Nashville” Star Isabelle Tate Dead at Just 23

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Isabelle Tate/Instagram

NEED TO KNOW

• Isabelle Tate, who played Julie in 9-1-1: Nashville’s premiere earlier this month, has died at the age of 23
• Her obituary revealed that she died on Oct. 19, although no cause of death was announced
• Tate, a Tennessee-native, previously shared that she had a progressive neuromuscular disease

Isabelle Tate has died.

The actress, who recently appeared in the series premiere of 9-1-1: Nashville, died on Sunday, Oct. 19, at the age of 23, according to her obituary. Born and raised in Tennessee, Tate is described as an animal-lover who “wanted to change the world” and spent much of her time volunteering.

“Isabelle was full of fire, a fighter, never once making excuses for the fact that she might have a disability relative to others,” the obituary reads. “She was also quite musically inclined, often spending hours writing and recording songs with friends and even publishing a few.”

“What she loved the most though was spending time with family and friends, always the life of the party,” it continues. “Her sister was her best friend and her mom was her shining beacon of light.”

Her cause of death has not been revealed.

On Thursday, Oct. 23, Tate’s 911: Nashville costar Hunter McVey shared an exclusive statement with PEOPLE remembering the actress.

“I was shocked to hear the news. I didn’t know Isabelle prior to filming, but I couldn’t have asked for someone better to work with on one of my first ever days on set,” McVey says. “I was terrified, nervous, and after each take we would get to exchange a couple words which were always supportive from her. I got the pleasure of talking with her after the scene and she had such a great energy. You could tell she brought joy to a lot of people. I’m thankful I got a chance to work with Isabelle and that a part of her will live on forever in the pilot episode of 9-1-1 Nashville. Prayers for her family.”

The actress’ talent agency, the McCray Agency, also shared a tribute on Instagram, writing in part, “We are deeply saddened and completely heartbroken to share that Isabelle Tate passed away on October 19th. She was 23. I’ve known Izzy since she was a teenager and she recently returned to acting. She booked the first series she auditioned for, 9-1-1 Nashville. She had a wonderful time.”

Tate previously opened up about having a progressive neuromuscular disease, which she was diagnosed with when she was 13. In an Instagram post from 2022, she explained that the condition “weakens my leg muscles over time,” causing her to need to use a wheelchair. 

“This has been a difficult journey for me because having to accept help and surrender to the progression of this condition has been extremely hard,” she wrote at the time. “While I was trying to come to terms with this, I really did find that I lost myself in certain ways. I hated that it was not only breaking me down physically, but I was allowing it to also break down my spirit.”

She added, “I would’ve never expected something like this to happen to me, as most of us wouldn’t. I don’t know why these were the cards I was dealt in life, but I can’t change it so I’m choosing to embrace it and not let it define me.”

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Tate took on the role of Julie in 9-1-1: Nashville, which debuted on Oct. 9, sharing the screen with stars such as LeAnn Rimes and Chris O’Donnell. In the episode, Julie receives a lap dance from McVey’s Blue, who is doing a striptease, after a woman blocks her view and calls her “hot wheels” because she’s in a wheelchair. 

Before making her way onto television, Tate attended the Middle Tennessee State University and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, per her obituary.

She is survived by her mother, Katerina Kazakos Tate; stepfather, Vishnu Jayamohan; father, John Daniel Tate and sister, Daniella Tate.