YouTuber Announces His Own Death, Apologizes in Emotional Final Video

Popular YouTuber Paul Harrell announced his own death and offered an apology in an emotional final video posted to his channel on September 3, simply titled "I'm Dead." He was 58 years old, and was a U.S. Army and Marine Corps vet, according to an obituary posted on Legacy.com. Harrell had been suffering from pancreatic cancer.

Harrell made a name for himself discussing and reviewing firearms, gun safety, and Second Amendment issues in an understated, approachable fashion. In the six-minute clip, he explained that he had recorded the video in late December of last year and left instructions for the video to be posted after he passed away. 

"We did catch [the cancer] early, but not as early as I had thought, and it has spread faster than I thought it would," he explained in the video, noting that it had spread to his bones and forced him to walk with a crutch after an accident.

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He went on to thank anyone who had watched, shared, and engaged with his videos over the years, saying he was thankful for the opportunity to build his audience of over one million subscribers.

"My goal in doing all of this was, yes, to have fun, but primarily to put out useful information. Or if not useful at least interesting information," he said. "And what I really hope is that as you're watching me you've seen some things that have made you say, 'Oh I get it, okay.'" 

He also offered an apology to fans for not being able to continue with the channel.

"My sincere apologies," he said. "I had hoped that I would continue in this format for the next 10 or even 15 years. And even once I was diagnosed I had hoped we would be here two or three more years, and it's turned out to only be a few more months. And my apologies for that, I feel like I've let everyone down." 

Harrell's brother and manager appeared later in the clip, explaining that they planned to continue posting on the channel to keep his legacy alive. Watch his full goodbye video below: