(NewsNation) — Social media influencer Tanner Martin has announced his own death at 30 years old on Instagram.
Martin was known for sharing his battle with colon cancer and his life with his wife, Shay Martin, and daughter, AmyLou, online. The news of his death comes five years after he was diagnosed and was shared on the couple’s joint Instagram account.
“Hey, it’s me, Tanner. If you’re watching this, I am dead,” the video started. “I had a heck of a life. I decided to make this video announcing my death cause I saw someone did that like a year or so ago, and I think it’s a good opportunity to get all your thoughts out, and also you can be thoughtful about what your spouse or your partner may need.”
Martin said that he was thinking of his wife and “wanted to make a video where she could just post it so that you guys would know, and she could take a break as long as she needed from social media.”
Influencer Tanner Martin thanks fans in posthumous video
Martin also took time to thank his fans, many of whom have supported him since he was diagnosed in 2020. He also asked fans to find ways to support his wife and daughter.
“Thank you for all that you did for me while I was here. And all the support and love that you showed me and my little family. I would ask at this time if you could continue to offer prayers and stuff for my sweetheart, Shay, and my baby girl, Jiaozi [AmyLou].”
He also addressed death itself, saying he knows it is scary, “but it’s also a new adventure.”
“I’m kinda excited about it a little bit. But not in a like I want to kill myself or anything. I’m excited to see what the experience is like. Hopefully it’s good. I love you guys and seriously, thanks again for all your support and helping to make the last few years of my life fun and enjoyable and helping me be comfortable,” he said.
He ended the video with, “I love you guys. Be kind to each other, see the good intent in other people, and you guys will just have a happy life. Love you. See you.”
Tanner Martin posts 2nd video, asking for fans’ support
Shortly after, another video was shared, which talked about Martin’s “last wish” for his fans. In the video, he is lying next to AmyLou and asks fans to support his wife and daughter after he is gone.
“I just wanted to ask you guys if you would help me raise Jiaozi. We’re gonna start a GoFundMe, and the GoFundMe is to help replace what I would be there for,” he said. The GoFundMe says that part of the funds will go to a down payment on a home for Shay and AmyLou.
The page says, “A space to grow, to heal, and to remember Tanner… a place that’s truly their own.” Within a day, the GoFundMe raised over $580,000.