TikTok’s rise in popularity was notably accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, attracting millions of new users who sought entertainment while staying home. Celebrities began using the platform during the quarantine, sharing various engaging content.
Currently, TikTok boasts hundreds of millions of users, with only a select few gaining substantial followings. Those who do often captivate audiences through a unique perspective, engaging personality, or humor. However, amidst the glitz, some stars face tragic outcomes, highlighting the untimely deaths of several influencers who left us too soon.
Bella Brave passed away at 10 due to Hirschsprung’s disease
Bella Brave captured hearts on TikTok, sharing her vibrant spirit despite battles with severe combined immunodeficiency and Hirschsprung’s disease. Her parents, Kyla and Lyle, documented her journey with care, showcasing her resilience and joyful demeanor.
Bella was hospitalized in July 2024 after a viral lung infection led to her being placed in a medically induced coma. Following prior health challenges, her family remained hopeful for her recovery.
Tragically, she passed away on July 14, 2024, in her parents’ arms. Her mother later updated fans with heartfelt words, urging them to cherish Bella’s memory. She was only 10 years old when she left us.
Dazharia Shaffer tragically took her own life at 18
Dazharia “Dee” Shaffer was known for her vibrant presence on TikTok, where she shared trendy dance routines, beauty advice, and other engaging content, accumulating over 1.4 million followers. She even launched her own cosmetic line, Dee Beauty, showcasing her creativity.
Sadly, on February 9, 2021, Dee succumbed to her struggles with mental health and passed away by suicide at just 18. The news devastated her followers and prompted her father, Raheem Alla, to advocate for mental health awareness, sharing his regrets about not being aware of her issues. A GoFundMe campaign was launched to support her funeral expenses, receiving significant community support.
Timothy Hall lost his life in a tragic car accident at 19
Timothy Hall, popularly known as “Timbo the Redneck,” gained a substantial TikTok following of over 200,000 by sharing entertaining videos of his truck named “Big Booty Judy.” He enjoyed showcasing his stunting skills with his beloved vehicle, which became a significant part of his online persona.
Tragically, Timbo’s life was cut short in a fatal accident on July 31, 2021, involving an unidentified truck. His mother, Tessie, shared the heartbreaking news on TikTok, stating, “He won’t be making any more videos … My son was in a bad accident yesterday and didn’t make it. I want to thank everyone for all the fans he had.”
At just 19 years old, Timbo’s cause of death was determined to be “accidental mechanical/positional asphyxia,” based on information obtained from E! News. Reports indicated he was performing donuts when his truck lost control, rolled onto its side, and tragically led to his death.
Anthony Barajas tragically shot at 19
Anthony Barajas, a cheerful TikTok user with nearly 900,000 followers, shared glimpses of his daily life, including his time as a high school soccer player. However, his bright spirit was extinguished on July 26, 2021, during a date with 18-year-old Rylee Goodrich at a movie theater.
While they were watching “The Forever Purge,” a man named Joseph Jiminez entered the theater and indiscriminately shot both of them in a shocking and unprovoked attack. Goodrich died on site, while Barajas lingered on life support before passing away on July 31, 2021.
In February 2024, Jiminez was sentenced to life imprisonment without the chance of parole for the senseless killings. Following the tragedy, the families of Barajas and Goodrich initiated GoFundMe campaigns to manage expenses, raising nearly $100,000 for Barajas and close to $78,000 for Goodrich.
Cooper Noriega’s life cut short at 19
Cooper Noriega rose to fame on TikTok and other social media as a model, openly discussing his mental health and struggles with addiction that began at a young age. He created a supportive Discord server for fans to discuss similar issues.
Just hours before his death on June 9, 2022, Noriega posted a chilling TikTok video with a caption that read, “Who else b thinking they gon d!€ young af … or dis j me.” Shortly thereafter, he was found deceased in his car in a parking lot in Los Angeles. An autopsy revealed that he died from an overdose involving fentanyl, lorazepam, and alprazolam (Xanax). Two individuals linked to his death were later arrested.
Bella Bradford’s battle with cancer ended at 24
Bella Bradford captivated audiences on TikTok with her fashion sense and personal stories, amassing a substantial following. Unfortunately, in 2021, she revealed to her fans that she had been diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer affecting the muscles in her jaw.
Despite undergoing extensive treatment, the cancer progressed to an untreatable stage by 2024. Throughout her journey, Bradford remained connected with her fans, continuing to post videos similar to those she created before her illness. Tragically, she passed away on October 15, 2024, at the age of 24. In a heartfelt TikTok filmed prior to her death, she expressed gratitude to her followers.
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I hope you can find happiness in my videos as you reflect. Remember, you live each day and die only once, so make each day meaningful.
Taylor Rousseau Grigg passed away at 25 due to various health issues
Taylor Rousseau Grigg was a prominent fashion figure on TikTok, with a following exceeding 1.5 million. She shared a variety of content, including fashion, beauty advice, and snippets from her life, but kept her declining health largely a secret.
In a November 2023 video, she hinted at her struggles, mentioning “14 days in hospitals,” “2 ER visits,” and “a lot of confusion.” Tragically, on October 4, 2024, she passed away at just 25, leaving her fans and husband, Cameron Grigg, in shock.
Cameron shared the news, but the specifics were initially vague. Later, it came to light that Taylor’s death stemmed from a severe asthma attack complicated by Addison’s disease, a rare disorder affecting hormone production, which ultimately led to her untimely death.
Alexis Sharkey was killed at 26
Alexis Sharkey utilized TikTok to offer wellness and skincare insights, gaining significant popularity across several platforms. After marrying Tom Robinault in 2019, signs of distress in her life emerged in October 2020, culminating in her disappearance the following month.
Sharkey was last seen alive on November 27, 2020, and her body was discovered in Harris County, Texas, the next day. Initial investigations indicated foul play, with her husband failing to arrange a funeral and exhibiting suspicious behavior.
After weeks of evading authorities, a warrant for Robinault’s arrest was issued in September 2021, but he took his own life before he could face justice. Following the investigation, details emerged about his history of domestic violence and inconsistencies in his statements.
Rachel Yaffe passed away from rare liver cancer at 27
Rachel Yaffe captivated nearly 60,000 followers on TikTok by sharing her health and wellness journey, including her battle with a rare liver cancer known as fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma, diagnosed at 20. For the next seven years, Yaffe fought against the disease.
In September 2024, she posted a heartfelt video discussing her health challenges, including the taxing effects of radiation treatment. Despite her struggles, Yaffe maintained a positive outlook and smiled during her updates. Sadly, she succumbed to cancer on October 11, 2024, at the age of 27.
An obituary confirmed her passing, indicating that her funeral would be a private gathering. Yaffe’s family asked that donations be made to Experience Camps instead of sending flowers. This nonprofit aids grieving children who have lost loved ones, inspiring them to embrace a hopeful future.
Eva Evans took her own life at 29
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Eva Evans was a popular TikTok creator with a vast following, sharing her personal experiences and challenges. She was also known for her Amazon Prime series “Club Rat,” which tells the story of an influencer trying to dive back into the dating scene in New York City after a very public breakup. This series initially started on TikTok before transitioning to Amazon.
Eva often touched on her mental health issues in her videos, sharing a poignant moment about her past when she stated, “At 16, I was taken to a wilderness program and spent nearly a year in treatment.” She managed to overcome those challenges and became a well-known influencer.
Tragically, Eva’s life ended when she died by suicide on April 20, 2024, at just 29 years old. Her sister, Lila, shared the heartbreaking news on Instagram, remembering Eva as “the sweet, fabulous, creative, caring, hilarious” sister she always adored. Julia Fox, an actress and friend, referred to Eva as “a TikTok star and a New York icon,” expressing a sisterly bond she felt with her.
Sophia Michaels
