Chris Hyndman Dies: What You Need Know About Him [Video]
If you aren’t familiar with Chris Hyndman, he was a popular Canadian television personality best known for the series Steve and Chris. Sadly, the 49-year-old was found dead in an alley on Monday. Toronto police have yet to make a cause of death known to the public. Nothing at the scene suggests foul play was involved. No further information is available, since the police have refused to release additional information while the investigation is ongoing.
A statement about Hyndman’s death was posted to his show’s official Facebook account.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the news Christopher Hyndman died. We extend our deepest sympathies to Steven, family, friends and colleagues; our thoughts are with them all.”
Chris Hyndman was born in Newfoundland and soon rose to fame as a talented interior designer. He founded the Sabados Group in 1992, through which he met his partner of 25 years, Steven Sabados. The two had reportedly returned from a trip to Barbados two days before Hyndman died.
The couple co-starred in the popular CBC series, Steven and Chris, which debuted in 2008. The Steven and Chris show aired in more than 80 countries, and the pair’s work was even featured on the Oprah Winfrey show.
Chris Hyndman’s death and the end of an important Canadian TV legacy http://t.co/nn975R0kbF pic.twitter.com/zg2NqAlypi
— National Post (@nationalpost) August 4, 2015
In 2001, Chris and Steven had a show on HGTV called Designer Guys. That led to a couple of spin offs: Design Rivals, and So Chic with Steven and Chris. Their show, Steven and Chris, was pulled from the schedule by CBC when it was learned he’d died.
Executive director Jennifer Dettman said that the loss of Chris Hyndman “will leave a hole” in the CBC Family. “I think about the loss for Steven,” said Dettman, “That his partner for 25 years is gone and that our friend is gone.”
“He really touched so many Canadians across this country. We saw the emails day in and day out of what he meant to them.”
Since the shocking news was announced earlier in the week, those who knew or worked with Chris Hyndman took to social media to pay their respects. “I’m heartbroken to hear that Chris Hyndman has died,” tweeted Jonathan Scott, co-host of HGTV‘s Property Brothers. “[He was just] a joy to [be] around and such a kind soul.” His brother, Drew Scott, added that Chris “was a great guy” and he “will be missed.”
Chris Hyndman continues to trend on sites like Twitter and Facebook as fans express their sadness and disbelief at the news of his untimely death.
Were you a fan of Chris Hyndman? How do you think he should be remembered? Please share your thoughts below.
[Image Credit: Peter Bregg / Getty Images for Hugo Boss]
