SHOCKER: Gay Porn Legend Erik Rhodes Is Dead [UPDATED]

In shocker of a tweet, porn legend Erik Rhodes is reported dead of a heart attack in his sleep.

Erik Rhodes has left us this morning at 5.30am his family and boyfriend Riccardo are in deep pain, please respect this sad moment

— Erik Rhodes (@Erik_Rhodes) June 14, 2012

No matter what one thought of the always controversial Erik, he was way too young to go so soon. As one of the few contemporary gay porn superstars, he will truly be missed.

R.I.P. Erik.

Industry professionals and his fans are tweeting their deepest condolences.

Erik has been an amazing friend & part of the Falcon family for 8 years, a man of steel on the outside but all teddy bear on the inside.

— Adam Q. Robinson (@AQR415) June 14, 2012

RIP dear sweet Erik Rhodes I'm saddened to the Core!Heaven/Hell will be a lot more Fun!

— Chi Chi LaRue (@DJChiChiLaRue) June 14, 2012

R.I.P. Erik Rhodes. You gentle beast, you. You will be missed.

— Austin Wilde (@AustinWilde) June 14, 2012

My thoughts and considerations go out to the friends & family of Erik Rhodes in their time of grief. He will be missed by many!

— Sean Paul Lockhart! (@BrentCorrigan) June 14, 2012

Please remember to keeps Erik Rhodesfamily and friends in your thoughts and prayers . So sad , I will miss him :(

— Marc dylan (@Marc_Dylan) June 14, 2012

UPDATE (6/14/2012, 2:20pm): Falcon Studios, where Rhodes was an exclusive for most of his career, just released the following statement:

"It is with utmost sadness that we make the announcement of Erik Rhodes' passing. We offer our condolences to Erik's family, friends and loved ones. He was a genuine and caring man with extraordinary attractiveness and a massive muscled frame. Erik was an equally beautiful human being who lit up a room, and brought fun and joy to our studio and his fans that was unparalleled. He was a giving person with a special wit, and he put his all into every performance. He wanted to give his fans the best he could every single time he stepped in front of the camera. Rest in peace, Erik and know that we are celebrating your life and your achievements, but we will miss you and all the special moments you have given us forever."

Born in Long Island, New York in 1982, Erik recently celebrated his 30th birthday. Rhodes began his career with Falcon by signing as an Exclusive in September of 2004 at the age of 22, shooting only one scene prior to joining the Falcon team, and he had remained an exclusive ever since. Erik also directed eight Mustang Studios titles during his career. He recently began shooting with Raging Stallion Studios after it merged with Falcon in early 2011. His videography includes over 40 scenes filmed over the last 8 years.