Steve Irwin, also known as The Crocodile Hunter, has been killed. Aussie media and CNN are reporting that he was killed by a stingray barb that went through his chest. He was snorkeling at north Queensland's Batt Reef at the time, where he was filming an underwater documentary. A friend of his told CNN that Irwin accidentally swam up on top of a stingray in the sand and it attacked, out of self defense.

Steve Irwin became a reptile enthusiast at a young age. He was only eight years old when his father moved the family to Queensland and opened up a small reptile park. Irwin took over the family business in 1991 and turned it into the Australia Zoo. According to Wikipedia, The Crocodile Hunter television show was created in 1992 from footage of crocodile trapping/antics on his honeymoon with his American wife, Terri. His outrageous personality made him an instant hit in the United States.

Irwin was 44 years old. He leaves behind a wife, Terri, and two young children, Bob and Bindi.