Actress Sarah Goldberg has died in her sleep aged just 40.

Sarah, who went by her stage name Sarah Danielle Madison, was best known for her role on Seventh Heaven as Matt Camden's girlfriend and eventual wife, Sarah Glass Camden. 

The star died "peacefully in her sleep of natural causes" 11 days ago while visiting her family's cabin in Wisconsin. The news was confirmed by her family yesterday. Sarah's mother Judy stated that an autopsy did not confirm the cause of Sarah's death, but a "heart ailment is suspected."

Her mother added that Sarah simply "went to sleep and didn't wake up".

The actress appeared on the family drama regularly between 2002 and 2006, and also had roles in Judging Amy, House, CSI, 90210 and Jurassic Park 3.

Actor Barry Watson, who played Matt on Seventh Heaven, tweeted a sweet message to his former co-star:

This is the second shock this week for Seventh Heaven fans – it was revealed yesterday that Stephen Collins, who played Rev. Camden on the show, had reportedly confessed to child molestation. He has since been cut from his role in the upcoming blockbuster Ted 2, and Seventh Heaven re-runs have been pulled from many cable channels in the US.

Last night police rushed to his Los Angeles home after a caller in the neighbourhood reported hearing gunshots, but nothing untoward was discovered and the property was found empty.