Influencer and comedian Marquay Collins has died at the age of 24, his mother has announced.
The TikTok star, known as @marquaythegoat, had gained 7 million followers on the app thanks to his regular, often humorous videos showcasing his daily life and interacting with fans.
On November 25, he uploaded a video which at the time of writing has close to 5 million views, humorously clapping back at a commenter who told him to “use lotion,” and chaotically taking it to the next level by throwing all sorts of lotion and liquid onto his feet.
But just hours after the popular skit was uploaded, his mother, Sonja Collins, announced that her son had died in a post on social media.
“My heart is broken,” she wrote on her verified Facebook account. “My baby, my last one, my SnuggaBug, my Marquay is no longer here with me.”
Paying tribute to her son, she called him “the sweetest person” who “didn’t have a mean bone in his body. I needed him longer than God allowed me to have him.”
“He spoiled me and his Dad, Elzie, he always said because we spoiled him. Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers, enjoy the rest of your day,” she wrote.
It’s not clear what caused the popular influencer’s death.
Hundreds of thousands of people flocked to Sonja Collins’ post, which has received more than 240,000 reactions, to share condolences.
One wrote: “Wow, my heart is broken right now. The life of the party is gone. I’m always watching you on TikTok every moment continuous easy we going to miss you. Love you so much. Marquay.”
“Sending my deepest condolences to you and your family may God wrap his loving arms around you! I pray for your strength during this time of bereavement,” another said, with another adding: “My prayers go out the family. Please stand at this time. You need each other’s strength. Praying for you all as hold to each other through this. Rest In Peace Marquay.”
On Collins’ final TikTok video, commenters were shocked and upset at the news, one writing: “Tell me it isn’t true bro,” and another pleading: “Please tell me this is a joke.”
Others shared condolences, as one wrote: “Rest high angel.”
Collins regularly made videos with both parents, appearing on his mother’s social media accounts, as well as creating comedy sketches, lifestyle videos and reviewing food.