Jeopardy! champion Dr Courtney Shah has sadly passed away at the age of 52 following a battle with brain cancer. On Wednesday (July 22), the reality TV star's passing was confirmed by her daughter Maya in an emotional tribute online through the non-profit organisation CaringBridge. She told fans that her mother died "in the comfort of her home" and is "at peace now".

Her first appearance on Jeopardy! was back in 2021, when she went on a seven-game winning streak, taking home $118,558 (£89,010). The brainiac returned the following year for the 2022 Tournament of Champions and finished third in the quarterfinals.

Shah additionally received $5,000 (£3,753) as a consolation prize for making it to the quarterfinals. Maya wrote about her mother: "I don't know what you believe about death, but I like to think that she's at peace now.

"We loved her in this world, and we loved her out of this world, and we'll go on loving her." The loving daughter went on to thank her mother's fanbase "for your grace in all of this", before adding that "it hasn't been easy, it will continue not to be easy."

She encouraged others to "hug your loved ones." Shah concluded: "Tell stories about my mom. Light a candle, say a prayer, pour out a drink - find something that feels meaningful to you to honour the gift that was her presence.

"Tell us about it on here, or hold it in our heart just for yourself." Maya has been open about her mother's health since January on CaringBridge. She explained that her mother had been "experiencing some numbness and weakness in the left side of her face".

Despite initial results claiming that it was a "temporary condition", Shah woke up a few weeks later "to numbness and tingling in her left hand". After undergoing several tests and procedures at the hospital, a biopsy "made it clear to the doctors that this is a cancerous brain tumour."

After receiving the devastating diagnosis, Shah soon began chemotherapy and radiation treatment to combat the disease. In March, her daughter shared a new heartbreaking update that the cancer was not "responding to radiation or chemo in the way we hoped."

Shah "made the brave, clear-eyed decision to stop treatment and transition to hospice". The emotional post went on: "It's not what any of us wanted, but only she knows her experience, and we trust her with that. So are we sad? Of course... sevastated? Absolutely. But also just... with her. Behind her. Fully."

Later that month, Maya explained that the hospice "has been great" in helping her mother become "more at ease and content than I've seen her in months." Her daughter later wrote: "I'm not sure how much time we have. That's scary. And we're making it through, with love and grace and support.

"Thank you to all of you for your kind words, the memories and jokes you've shared, and the love you send in every little way you reach out. Thank you." Apart from her appearance on Jeopardy!, Shah had also been an instructor at Lower Columbia College in Washington state, according to the radio station KLOG.

A memorial service to celebrate her life is set to take place on August 10 at the Rose Centre for the Arts, which is located on the Lower Columbia College campus, the station also reported. During a previous appearance on the quiz show, she said: "I really never imagined that I would get here.

"I'm not quite sure that this is actually reality yet. The first game is all adrenaline. Now, I feel like I can settle in." Shah called the experience on the show "surreal," adding, "This can't possibly be happening."