"Star Wars'" Princess Leia, actress Carrie Fisher, passed away Tuesday after reportedly suffering from cardiac arrest while on board a London-Los Angeles flight last week.

In a statement given to PEOPLE magazine, Fisher's family spokesperson Simon Halls said, "It is with a very deep sadness that Billie Lourd confirms that her beloved mother Carrie Fisher passed away at 8:55 this morning."

PEOPLE also quoted Lourd thanking everyone who prayed for Fisher, saying: "She was loved by the world and she will be missed profoundly. Our entire family thanks you for your thoughts and prayers."

The news of Fisher's passing came a few days after her mother, Debbie Reynolds, said Fisher was getting better.

E! News previously reported that Reynolds had broken her silence and stated: "Carrie is in stable condition. If there is a change, we will share it." Reynolds added: "For all her fans & friends. I thank you for your prayers & good wishes."

The same report confirmed that Fisher was on board a plane from London to Los Angeles when she experienced the cardiac arrest. Fortunately, medical response was quick and readily available when her plane landed. E! News mentioned that the L.A. Fire Department responded at LAX Gate 74 where "advanced life support" was in place for Fisher.

A spokesperson for the LAX airport police told Independent that they attended to a "female victim who went into cardiac arrest" and found that the LAFD was already performing first aid measures before the victim was immediately brought to a nearby local hospital.

After the news of Fisher's heart attack broke, her brother Todd was quoted as saying: "She's obviously a very tough girl who's survived many things. I encourage everyone to pray for her."

According to the same Independent report, Fisher had been on tour to promote her new book of memoirs titled "The Princess Diarist." Before her cardiac arrest, she had already been in the news for reasons related to her new book.

It was also mentioned that Fisher made headlines after admitting in the book that she had an "intense" romantic affair with "Star Wars" co-star Harrison Ford, who was already married with two children at the time.

The report recounted Fisher's interview with People magazine where she said: ''It was so intense. It was Han and Leia during the week, and Carrie and Harrison during the weekend.''