Two Famous Influencers Have Already Died Of Cancer This 2024
Fans are mourning the loss of two social media stars who died this month.
Reptile enthusiast Brian Barczyk and TikTok chef Lynn Yamada Davis succumbed to their respective battles with cancer in the first two weeks of January.
Read on to learn more about their lives and legacy.
1. Brian Barczyk
Barczyk, whose passion for reptiles and wildlife had earned him millions of followers on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram, passed away Monday after battling pancreatic cancer. He was 54.
Michigan-based reptile zoo The Reptarium, which Barczyk founded, announced his death via Facebook.
The internet personality was diagnosed with cancer in February last year.
The Reptarium highlighted Barczyk's profound impact in a statement, saying, "More than the guiding light of our organization, Brian's fervent passion for reptiles and wildlife, along with his steadfast dedication to education, has touched innumerable hearts and minds globally."
Barczyk gained initial recognition through Discovery Channel's "Venom Hunters" in 2016 and built a massive online presence with over 5.27 million subscribers on YouTube.
His legacy includes collaborations with other big names in the social media scene, like Logan and Jake Paul.
In addition to his reptile zoo, Barczyk's notable contributions include the upcoming LegaSea Aquarium.
He owned the world's third-largest collection of snakes, having had more than 30,000 at the time of his death.
In an emotional farewell video posted at the beginning of the month during his hospice stay, Barczyk expressed gratitude to his followers for changing his life and joining him on "an amazing journey."
He is survived by his wife Lori and their two children, Noah and Jade.
Barczyk's memorial is set to be held Wednesday in Sterling Heights, Michigan, TMZ reported.
2. Lynn Yamada Davis
Davis, known for her "Cooking with Lynja" streaming show, died from esophageal cancer at Riverview Medical Center in New Jersey on Jan. 1. She was 67.
She was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2019 and later with esophageal cancer in 2021, The New York Times reported.
A social media sensation with nearly 30 million followers across multiple platforms, Davis shared her love for cooking and brought joy to countless viewers through her entertaining videos.
Her son, Tim Davis, shared the news of her passing via a heartfelt video posted on her social media pages.
Tim expressed gratitude for the support Lynn received and described her as not only the best mother but also an exceptional friend.
Lynn's rise to fame began during the COVID-19 pandemic when Tim started posting her funny cooking videos on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.
The momentum quickly propelled her to stardom, earning her a spot on Forbes' 50 Over 50 list and a Streamy Award.
A civil engineering graduate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Lynn had a groundbreaking career before her social media fame, working for Bell Labs (now AT&T Labs).
Beyond her culinary prowess, Lynn was a dedicated volunteer EMT for over two decades, served as a captain and continued to answer calls until just three months ago. She was also an avid runner, scuba diver and skier.
