Tanner Martin announces own death, 41 days after daughter's birth

Tanner Martin’s Final Goodbye: A Legacy of Love, Laughter, and Courage

Tanner Martin, a 30-year-old social media influencer from Utah, passed away after a five-year battle with stage four colorectal cancer. Known for his unfiltered honesty and humour, Tanner documented his journey online, gaining over 450,000 followers. Just 41 days after the birth of his daughter, AmyLou, he left the world — but not without saying goodbye in his own way.

On June 25, his wife Shay Wright shared a pre-recorded five-minute video on Instagram, where Tanner addressed his own death. “Hey, it’s me, Tanner. If you’re watching this, I am dead,” he began, appearing frail but peaceful. His message was heartfelt, filled with gratitude and a touch of humour. “I had a heck of a life. Life was awesome,” he said.

He thanked his supporters for making his final years “fun and enjoyable,” adding that he took inspiration from others who used their last moments to share final thoughts. “Death is scary,” he admitted, “but it’s also like a new adventure. Hopefully, there’s something after this.”

He looked forward to meeting departed loved ones, including his grandfather and Shay’s father. “I’m excited to see them not in pain and just happy,” he said, closing with a simple, “Love you.”

A Life Shared and a Legacy Left

Tanner, a former call center employee, began sharing his cancer journey online in 2019 after being diagnosed. His posts were a mix of raw truth, humour, and hope — even after being told in 2023 that his cancer was no longer curable.

Despite this, Tanner and Shay chose to start a family. Their daughter AmyLou was born on May 15, 2025. Sadly, Tanner’s health rapidly declined weeks after her birth.

In a follow-up video, he appeared wrapped in blankets, holding his baby girl. With a light-hearted tone, he asked viewers to support her future through a GoFundMe campaign. “For the price of a McChicken, you could fund my AmyLou’s legacy fund,” he joked.

The fundraiser highlights Tanner as “a loving husband, a proud father, and a beautiful soul who touched countless lives with his courage and humour.” It also notes that he had no life insurance, making this campaign his final wish — to provide security for AmyLou.

Love, Loss, and an Outpouring of Support

Shay's Instagram has since been filled with tributes. Messages of admiration and grief poured in from followers:

“Heaven just gained the best angel.”

“I am so glad Tanner got to meet AmyLou.”

“Tanner was truly an inspiration.”

In her caption for Tanner’s final message, Shay wrote, “May the force be with you from our angel force ghost,” referencing the couple’s shared love for Star Wars. She’s also posted more videos, explaining his final wishes and asking the community to stand by their daughter.

Tanner Martin may have lost his battle with cancer, but he gave the world something enduring — a goodbye filled with peace, laughter, and hope. In doing so, he ensured his voice, spirit, and love for AmyLou would live on.