In news that has sent shockwaves tearing through the Home and Away community, beloved fictional actor Liam Harwood, known to millions for his role as troubled heartthrob Evan Slater Jr., has been tragically found dead in circumstances no one could have foreseen. The much-loved performer, just 32, was discovered early yesterday morning in a secluded coastal reserve near Palm Beach — the filming home of the iconic soap.

Authorities have yet to release a full report, but insiders say the discovery was made by a pair of early-morning walkers, who immediately recognised the actor and alerted emergency services. Word spread through the quiet coastline location with devastating speed, drawing stunned fans to the area in a state of disbelief.

Witnesses described scenes of pure emotional collapse as news circulated. “People were screaming, sobbing, dropping to their knees,” one local told us. “Everyone knew Liam — not personally, but through the show. It felt like we’d lost someone from our own family.”

Harwood, who joined the cast only three years ago, quickly became a fan favourite. His rugged charm, gentle intensity, and raw vulnerability in some of the show’s most powerful storylines earned him a reputation as one of Summer Bay’s brightest rising stars. But friends say the actor himself was quiet, introspective, almost shy despite his fame.

“He never believed he was famous,” said a long-time crew member. “He always said he was lucky to be there. That humility is what made everyone love him.”

Production on Home and Away has reportedly been halted indefinitely, with cast and crew gathered today for a private remembrance at the studio. A source describes the atmosphere as “shattered… unlike anything the show has experienced in decades.”

Fans have taken to social media in overwhelming numbers, sharing tributes, clips, and personal stories of how Harwood’s performances helped them through their own tough times. Outside the studio gates, flowers now line the walkway in a heartbreaking display of colour and grief.

Even more gut-wrenching is the detail that Harwood had just filmed a major emotional arc set to air within weeks — a storyline producers believed would define his character for years to come. Now, the future of Evan Jr.’s storyline remains uncertain, with writers scrambling to respond to the unimaginable.

For now, the Home and Away family — on-screen and off — is united in grief, holding tight to memories of a gifted young actor whose light went out far too soon. And as fans continue to gather at the place where Harwood was found, many say they simply want to be close to him one last time.

“It doesn’t feel real,” one young viewer whispered through tears. “He was part of our lives. This hurts more than anyone can understand.”