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Brazilian Tourist Who Fell Near Volcano Crater Found Dead After 4 Days
The online community has lost a bright light.
Influencer Tanner Martin has died at the age of 30 following a years-long battle with colon cancer. The news was shared with fans by Tanner himself in a video posted to the joint Instagram account he shares with wife Shay Martin, with hopes to help make her grief journey easier.
“Hey, it’s me Tanner, if you’re watching this, I am dead,” the influencer said in the June 25 video. “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.”
Noting he expected Shay would need “some time to grieve,” Tanner continued, “So, I 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 to from social media.
Speaking directly to the fans, Tanner—who received his cancer diagnosis in 2020—thanked them for all the support amid his health battle and encouraged them to continue to find ways to support Shay and their daughter, AmyLou, affectionately known as Jiaozi, whom they welcomed May 15.
“Thank you for all that you did for me while I was here,” he said. “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."
Tanner also looked ahead to the afterlife, sharing his hopes about who he might meet again.
“You guys, life was awesome. I really enjoyed it while I was here,” he said. “Hopefully I believe there’s something after this and I’m excited to meet those people and hopefully we’re hanging out now making fun of all you nerds.”
“Death is scary but it’s also a new adventure,” he continued. “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.”
With one final note, Tanner added, “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 ya.”
After Tanner’s death, another video was shared on his account with his “last wish” for his supporters. In the video, Tanner appears with AmyLou laying beside him as he asked his fans to support his daughter and wife in his death.
“I just wanted to ask you guys if you would help me raise Jiaozi,” Tanner said. “We’re gonna start a GoFundMe and the GoFundMe is to help replace what I would be there for.”
The page indicated part of the funds would be used for a down payment “on a modest starter home” for Shay and AmyLou.
“A space to grow, to heal, and to remember Tanner,” the page’s description continued, “a place that’s truly their own.”
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