'Deadliest Catch' star Tony Lara died from heart attack, early autopsy reveals

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'Deadliest Catch' star Tony Lara dead at 50

Cause of reality star's death undetermined

Preliminary autopsy results say a ship captain on the Discovery Channel television program "Deadliest Catch" who died in Sturgis, South Dakota, during its famous motorcycle rally had a heart attack.

Meade County Sheriff Ron Merwin says an autopsy was completed Monday but he's still waiting on a toxicology report for 50-year-old Tony Lara, a native of Alaska.

The sheriff says he doesn't suspect the toxicology results will show anything that would have contributed to Lara's death.

Lara died early Saturday morning at a private residence in Sturgis.

A post on the Discovery website describes Lara as a veteran crab catcher. He appeared on the show at the helm of a boat called the Cornelia Marie.

The network commented on his death in a statement to FOX411.

“We've lost a member of the 'Deadliest Catch' family," the network said. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family in this very sad time.”

Josh Harris worked on the Cornelia Marie with Lara and reflected on his death in a statement sent to FOX411. 

"Tony was to all of us with the Cornelia Marie a true friend," Harris said. "Tony was always there for the Harris Family. He offered his support and his advice. He taught and he educated. At the end of the day, Tony made all of us just a little bit better."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.