He announced his death with a sad video - The influencer passes away with a request

Photo: Tanner Martin and Shay Wright/Getty

Tanner Martin, the 30-year-old influencer, has passed away after a five-year battle with colon cancer. His death came just 41 days after he and his wife, Shay Wright, welcomed their first daughter, Amy Lou.

The news was announced in a touching pre-recorded video shared on the couple's Instagram on June 25. In it, Tanner begins with the words:

“Hey, it's me, Tanner. If you're watching this video, I'm dead.”

He explained that he had seen someone else do something similar a year ago and it seemed like a good way to greet people and leave a heartfelt message. In a tone that was both sensitive and humorous, he added:

"I've had a great life. Life was wonderful. I have a lot of people I can't wait to meet in the next world and I hope we're laughing at you 'losers' here now."

If you've come across videos of this couple on TikTok or Instagram, you're not alone. Tanner and Shay built a large community of followers over the course of five years, documenting step-by-step his struggle with a cancer diagnosis at age 25, his attempts at pregnancy through in vitro fertilization, the birth of his daughter, and life with a terminal diagnosis.

In a second video released the same day, Shay also shared Tanner's final wish: to open a GoFundMe to secure her and their daughter's financial future.

On May 11, just days before his daughter's birth, Tanner shared a video discussing his health and the fatigue he was experiencing from chemotherapy. In the video, he held a pair of tiny baby shoes and said with emotion:

"You know what happens after six days? She [the girl] is born."

Tanner revealed in a previous interview with People that in February 2023, doctors told him his cancer was terminal and he only had two to five years to live. However, he never stopped documenting his experience and spreading awareness about colon cancer — a disease that is increasingly affecting young people.

In his latest video, Tanner thanked everyone for their support:

“I love you so much. Thank you for helping me make the last few years easier, more beautiful, and more comfortable.”

_{Source: People}