Patrick Swayze died of pancreatic cancer on September 14, 2009, at the age of 57, about 20 months after being diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer in early 2008

. He was a long-time smoker, which he believed contributed to the development of his disease

. Despite undergoing chemotherapy and experimental treatments, the cancer metastasized to his liver

. Swayze passed away peacefully at his ranch in the Los Angeles area, with his wife Lisa Niemi and brother Donny Swayze by his side