The death of Tony Lara, ship captain of the Discovery Channel show 'Deadliest Catch' was due to a heart attack, accroding to early autopsy results released on Tuesday. 

The preliminary autopsy reports have been completed as confirmed by Meade County Sheriff Ron Merwin. However, the sheriff added that he's still waiting for Tony Lara's toxicology reports.

Merwin said that he doesn't have doubts on the toxicology reports he's been up to which he expects that will show anything that leads to the causes of his death.

Tony Lara, whose autopsy claims that he died because of heart attack, reportedly died in his sleep in Sturgis, South Dakota. He passed away on Saturday, August 8 and his death was confirmed on August 11. He was 50-years-old.

His demise was even featured on the Discovery Channel's web site, where he has been described as a veteran crab catcher.

Lara appeared on the Discovery Channel's 'Deadliest Catch', manning the boat referred to as 'Cornelia Marie'.

The captain's death comes just a couple of weeks after the producer of the show, Joe McMahon died in his home in Pasadena, California, where he was shot dead. 

"We are heartsick about this tragedy - our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and to all that knew and worked with him," according to a released statement.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this sad time." On Sunday, Discovery's Deadliest Catch family sent the news to Twitter and paid their tribute to the deceased captain.

"Yesterday, we lost a member of the Catch Family." they wrote. "May you RIP Captain Tony Lara!"

The statement added, "We know that you are up in heaven watching over the Cornelia Marie and rest of the Berling Sea fleet."

Tony Lara's body has been handed to the family for the funeral arrangements, which is expected to take place in his hometown, Alaska.