US influencer Tanner announces own death in pre-recorded video after 5-year cancer battle

Tanner Martin, a 30-year-old American man diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, has passed away.

The Utah-based social media influencer’s death comes 41 days after he welcomed his first child — a girl — with wife Shay Wright Martin.

In a final message, the social media celebrity announced his own death in a pre-recorded Instagram video titled ‘From Tanner to You,’ posted posthumously by his wife.

“Hey, it’s me, Tanner. If you’re watching this, I am dead. I had a heck of a life,” the influencer smiled as he addressed his nearly 500,000 IG followers.

Tanner also explained his decision to share the news of his death.

“I decided to make this video announcing my death because 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,” he added.

“And then also be thoughtful about what your partner or your spouse might need. And she probably needs some time to grief.

“So I wanted to make a video where she can just post it and you guys would know, and she could take a break as long as she needed to from social media.”

Diagnosed at just 25, Tanner spent the last five years openly documenting his fight against colon cancer alongside Shay.

Their raw and inspiring journey amassed a massive following on Instagram and TikTok, where over a million people supported them and followed their journey, including the birth of AmyLou.

Following his death, Shay launched a GoFundMe page in honour of Tanner’s last wish, which is to secure the future of his wife and daughter.

The fundraiser outlines different phases of support, from immediate needs to AmyLou’s education, wedding, and beyond.

“In one of his final messages, he said, ‘I just want to know that Jiaozi and Shay will be okay,’” the fundraiser reads.

“For less than the price of a hot and spicy McChicken, you can give them a future Tanner only wished he could stay to provide.”

As of the time of filing this report, the campaign has raised nearly $700,000.