Kirstie Alley died at 71 after a brief battle with colon cancer, her representatives have revealed.

A spokesperson for the veteran actress confirmed the official cause of death to People.

Alley's family shared in a statement posted to Twitter Monday that she passed following a battle with cancer that was "only recently discovered."

They also acknowledged the "incredible team" at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida.

"We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered," the statement said.

The children said in their statement that Alley was "surrounded by her closest family" at the time of her passing, and that she "fought with great strength."