Swedish artist Lars Vilks, who lived under police protection after drawing a controversial cartoon of Prophet Mohammed, was killed in a car crash on Sunday (3 Oct), according to reports.
Three others were also said to have died in the collision.
The reported incident involved a truck colliding with a civilian police car in which Vilks and his police protection were travelling in, according to the newspaper Dagens Nyheter.
In a statement, National Police Chief Anders Thornberg said: "In connection with the collision, both vehicles began to burn heavily. It is still unclear how the accident occurred.
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"The identity of the dead has not been formally established, but there is initially nothing to suggest that anyone else was involved.
"Relatives of those involved have been informed of the circumstances.
"The driver of the truck was taken by ambulance to hospital where he is being cared for.
"My thoughts go to relatives, families, friends and co-workers. I am also in contact with the police region South to make sure that they get the support they need at the moment.
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Carina Persson, regional police chief in the South region, said: "That the person we are set to protect and the lives of our two colleagues ends in this tragedy is elusive and unspeakably sad."
The cause of the accident is still under investigation.
Vilks' life changed radically 13 years ago when he drew a sketch of Prophet Mohammed with a dog's body for an art exhibition at Tällerud.
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Dogs are considered unclean by conservative Muslims and Islamic law generally opposes any depiction of the prophet, even favourable, for fear it could lead to idolatry.
Al Qaida reportedly even put a bounty on Vilks' head and in 2010, two men tried to burn down his house in southern Sweden.
However, this wasn't the first time the artist caused controversy with his work.
Prior to the Prophet Mohammed drawing, he was best known for building a sculpture made of driftwood in a nature reserve in southern Sweden without permission, triggering a lengthy legal battle.
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He was eventually fined, but the seaside sculpture - a jumble of wood nailed together in chaotic fashion - continues to draw tens of thousands of visitors every year.
Vilks has been prone to numerous death threats over the years; so much so, that reports claim that last year, a woman from Pennsylvania pleaded guilty in a plot to try to kill him.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Death, Sweden, Car Crash