Pop star Britney Spears' ex-boyfriend, John Sundahl was flying a helicopter when the Taliban in Afghanistan shot him down. Sundahl was working for the past few months as a private pilot who transported official across the war-torn country. The pilot was killed just outside of Kabul.

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Sundahl's brother Karl says that, "It's heartbreaking. John went there to try to repair the country. He was trying to help people, he [often said] the country was in chaos." According to the Mirror UK, Karl and the rest of the family was informed by the U.S. State Department of his brother's death and said that the Taliban was behind the attack.

Sundahl dated singer-actress Britney Spears way back in 2007 after meeting at an Alcoholics Anonymous session in Los Angeles. Although their romance fizzled after a short while, their friendship continued. There were even rumors that the pair were engaged, although Spears' representative deemed these rumors false. What can be said about Sundahl though, is that he was one of the persons who really helped her quit drinking.

In one interview, Sundahl revealed that she told the pop star she's at risk of dying if she doesn't get her drinking under control. He told her, "I told her, 'If you fall off the wagon I don't think you'll live. I told her, 'If you don't want to get sober for yourself, do it for your kids.'"

Because of that, "She truly wants to stop what she's doing, and she has changed her life in another direction. She doesn't get drunk every night and pass out."

Sundahl was there for Spears throughout her darkest days, especially when she had a meltdown and shaved her head bald.

After hearing about Sundahl's passing, Spears is reportedly having a hard time. A source says,  "She is devastated. Britney thought he was a lovely man. John was still good friends with Britney, he talked to her regularly. They dated for a while but they always kept in touch afterwards."

With regards to Spears' career and personal life, she is currently in the middle of a 2-year contract with Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas and is dating writer-producer Charlie Ebersol.

TagsBritney Spears, John Sundahl