Country songwriter Andrew Dorff, behind hits for Blake Shelton and Hunter Hayes, dies at 40

Country music songwriter Andrew Dorff, who penned several hits in recent years for Blake Shelton, Hunter Hayes and others, has died, according to Universal Music Publishing Group and other industry sources. He was 40.

Dorff's cause of death has not been released. According to the Miami-Dade medical examiner's office, the songwriter died Monday night. A spokesperson told The Tennessean that no other information would be made available, pending an investigation.

Dorff was the son of songwriter Steve Dorff and the brother of actor Stephen Dorff.

As a songwriter for UMPG Nashville, Dorff's songs have been recorded by numerous household names, including Tim McGraw, Jake Owen, Dierks Bentley and Cole Swindell. Recent No. 1 hits included Kenny Chesney's "Save It for a Rainy Day," Hayes' "Somebody's Heartbreak" and Shelton's ""

A look back at Andrew Dorff

"Sad to be finding out about Andrew Dorff passing away," Shelton said on Twitter. "Terrible tragedy. Prayers to his family."

"Andrew Dorff was family to all of us at UMPG Nashville," said Kent Earls, evp/gm, Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville. "We're completely heartbroken and saddened. His words will forever live in song and his light will forever shine on. Our thoughts and prayers are with Steve and the rest of the Dorff family."

Universal Music Publishing Group chairman and CEO Jody Gerson remembered how it was Dorff's father who introduced the young writer to her when he was in his early 20's. "We lost him too soon," Gerson said. "My heart sincerely goes out to his family and all the people who loved him."

Nashville Songwriters Association International also confirmed the news. "Our songwriting community is small and close and this loss will hurt us all deeply. Andrew was a good man and a good friend. He was an elite songwriter at the peak of his life and career. Our sincerest prayers go out to his family. May we all hug each other a little tighter this week and remember that life is fragile."

Listen to music that Dorff wrote: