Tanner Martin became a first-time dad on May 15, five years after he was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer at age 25

Shay Martin (left) and Tanner Martin (right) on May 15, 2025.Credit :

Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post via Getty

Tanner Martin has died after his five-year journey with colon cancer. He was 30.

The influencer’s d.e.a.t.h comes 41 days after he welcomed his first child, a daughter, with wife Shay Wright, with whom he began documenting his colorectal cancer diagnosis at age 25 in November 2020.

Wright shared the heartbreaking news in an Instagram post published on Wednesday, June 25. It featured Tanner speaking directly to the camera in a pre-recorded video announcing that he had died.

“Hey, it’s me, Tanner, if you’re watching this, I am dead,” he began.

“I had a heck of a life. I decided to make this video announcing my d.e.a.t.h 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 explained, noting that he wanted to be thoughtful of what Wright would need during this time.

Tanner Martin announces his d.e.a.t.h in June 25, 2025 Instagram post.Tanner and Shay/Instagram

“But you guys, life was awesome. I really enjoyed it while I was here,” he continued. “Hopefully, I believe there’s something after this. I’m excited to meet those people, and hopefully we’re hanging out now and making fun of all you nerds.”

He then listed names of family members who have passed, saying, “There’s just a lot of people that for the afterlife, I’m excited to see them, and excited to see them not in pain and just happy.”

“I don’t know, I’m like, d.e.a.t.h is scary, but it’s also like a new adventure, you know,” he candidly said. “I’m excited to see what the experience is like, and hopefully it’s good.”

He continued by thanking everyone for their support. “But I love you guys, and seriously, thanks again for all your support and helping to make the last years of my life here on earth like fun and enjoyable and helping me be comfortable.”

“May the force be with you from our angel force ghost🤍 see the next video for his wish,” Shay captioned the video.

Wright also added a second Instagram post on Wednesday. The video documented Martin sharing his last wish, which was to help raise donations via GoFundMe to help Wright and their daughter with future financial needs.

On May 15, Martin and Wright announced their baby was born.

“She’s here,” they captioned a photo uploaded to their Instagram Stories on their joint account, featuring a picture of Martin and Wright lying in the hospital bed beside each other while cradling their newborn baby.

The couple built a supportive and loving community on social media since they started documenting Martin’s cancer journey five years ago. They’ve often posted videos with health updates, in addition to baby updates, since they announced in November 2024 that they were expecting.

Tanner Martin on April 16, 2025, in American Fork, UT.

Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post via Getty

On May 11, Martin opened up opened up about his health status on Instagram ahead of his little girl’s arrival. “Just thought I’d hop on here and give you guys a quick update,” he began in the clip.

“The chemo makes me really hoarse, so I sound like a different me. But I’m doing okay, just tired. Guess what’s happening. Guess who arrives in six days,” he said, grabbing two little baby slippers alluding to the birth of his daughter.

“Anyway, that’s what I wanted to share,” he continued. “I stop my chemo for a week tomorrow because it’s three weeks on, one week off. Very excited for that… anyways, that’s my update. Love you,” he wrapped the clip, blowing kisses to the camera.

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Shay Martin and Tanner Martin.Shay Martin/Instagram

Martin and Wright spoke with PEOPLE exclusively in November 2024, shortly after they announced that they were expecting.

They opened up about the anticipation of being first-time parents — and how the excitement of the pregnancy news, after undergoing IVF, was co-mingling with “grief, fear and anxiety.”

In an earlier interview with PEOPLE, Martin said he was told in February 2023 that his cancer was no longer curable. Doctors estimated that he would have a life expectancy of two to five years.