'She was fearless': Joan Rivers has passed away at 81; Update: Statement from daughter Melissa Rivers

Joan Rivers has died, Melissa Rivers says in a statement. "She passed peacefully at 1:17pm surrounded by family and close friends."

— Amy Kaufman (@AmyKinLA) September 4, 2014

My dear friend @Joan_Rivers died an hour ago. For nearly 25 years I had the gift of her friendship and her… http://t.co/KKRSv7DO9k

— DeborahNorville (@DeborahNorville) September 4, 2014

we lost a great one in @Joan_Rivers – she was funny all the way to the end

— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) September 4, 2014

Oh no. RT @NBCNightlyNews: BREAKING NEWS: Joan Rivers has died at age 81, her daughter announces pic.twitter.com/jk5J3NJAKU

— Noah Rothman (@NoahCRothman) September 4, 2014

RIP Joan Rivers

— William J. Upton (@wupton) September 4, 2014

RIP Joan Rivers

— F. Bill McMorris (@FBillMcMorris) September 4, 2014

RIP Joan Rivers

— RickLeventhalFoxNews (@RickLeventhal) September 4, 2014

#requiescatinpace, funny lady. RT @AP: BREAKING: Comedian Joan Rivers has died, says her daughter Melissa Rivers.

— Rachel Veronica (@rachelveronica) September 4, 2014

RIP Joan Rivers. 🙁

— Amelia (@AmeliaHammy) September 4, 2014

RIP Joanie, thanks for the laughs.

— D-Rebecca Smoochie-G (@duchessrebecca) September 4, 2014

🙁 Rest in Peace, Joan.

— Phelony Jones (@phelony_jones) September 4, 2014

Joan Rivers Dies at 81. God she was funny. http://t.co/Oj2N06aS1A

— Josh Sternberg (@joshsternberg) September 4, 2014

Sadness. RT: @NBCNightlyNewsBREAKING NEWS: Joan Rivers has died at age 81, her daughter announces

— Emily Zanotti (@emzanotti) September 4, 2014

Oh, no. She was a badass. I loved when modern society feigned offense,as it does constantly, she told em to shove it. http://t.co/BthOATKhRo

— Mary Katharine Ham (@mkhammer) September 4, 2014

RIP Joan Rivers, who I liked less for her humor (good) than for her grit (great). She was from another age, and a better one.

— iLoveScienceSexually (@AceofSpadesHQ) September 4, 2014

Oh dear. She was fearless. RT @NBCNightlyNews: BREAKING NEWS: Joan Rivers has died at age 81, her daughter announces pic.twitter.com/ebnto9W24N”

— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) September 4, 2014

“Can we talk” – God#RIPJoanRivers #JoanRivers

— Cameron Gray (@Cameron_Gray) September 4, 2014

Joan Rivers had a voice with no strings attached. That is bravery. RIP

— Chet Cannon (@Chet_Cannon) September 4, 2014

Was just watching Spaceballs last night & thinking about Joan Rivers. Thanks for all the great memories. RIP & prayers for family, fans.

— Ed Morrissey (@EdMorrissey) September 4, 2014

Melissa Rivers' full statement on the death of her mother, Joan Rivers: http://t.co/adTOF6wd0Q pic.twitter.com/1Qycck5gyD

— Variety (@Variety) September 4, 2014