Wikileaks founder Gavin MacFayden, 76, has died from an unknown cause.

Members of the international non-profit organization shared their farewell messages to MacFayden online.

The Center for Investigative Journalism (CIJ) team tweeted "we are extremely sad to announce the death of Gavin MacFayden, CIJ's Founder, Director and its leading light." He founded CIJ in 2003 with the goal of exposing major stories.

Like Us on Facebook

Meanwhile, Wikileaks is an organization that has helped whistleblowers speak about alleged corruption.

MacFayden's wife Susan Benn described him as a "larger than life person" and a role model for journalists. MacFayden was known for his ethical and clear-cut reporting and his principles as an educator and journalist who "comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable."

Throughout his professional career, MacFayden produced and directed over 50 documentaries investigating numerous issues in different countries. He was ostracized from the Soviet and South Africa due to his works and also received backslash from British Neo-Nazis.

His works concentrated on political prisoner torture, pollution, child labor, maritime piracy involving the CIA, election fraud, and many others. He was part of several programs from PBS, Channel 4, and BBC.

The cause of his death has not been disclosed yet. However, Benn wrote a statement, which has been deleted, that "a short illness" ended MacFayden's life.

In another source, it was reported that a battle with lung cancer has led to MacFayden's death.