A beloved YouTube star with more than 1 million followers has died unexpectedly at the age of 26.
Japanese influencer, known online as Zeppa, made fashion videos and livestreamed drinking taste test He has 1.4 million followers on his social accounts.
His sudden death was announced on the social media platform X on 6 April.
The statement read: “Please accept my apologies for this sudden message. Zepa has passed away unexpectedly.
“I want to apologize on his behalf for breaking this news to you. The funeral was held privately with only family members present.”
“We would like to express our deepest gratitude for the kindness and support you showed during his lifetime.”
YouTubers made videos about jirai-kei fashion, a Japanese aesthetic of black, extremely girly clothing that aims to look cute but dangerous.
He also live-streamed a drink taste test and talked about his struggle with alcohol addiction and suicidal thoughts.
He also spoke openly about family issues and online abuse.
The cause of death has not been made public.
Since the news broke, his heartbroken fans have started expressing their grief and condolences to the young star on social media.
One wrote: “She was young, beautiful and talented – this is really heartbreaking.”
Another said: “She was the person you wanted to see on the hardest days. On the nights you wanted to laugh, or the nights you didn’t want to think about it at all, Zepa was there for you.
“She joked that she would ‘keep uploading videos with zero content’, but to us, none of this was ever ‘zero’ – it’s all something precious that will stay with us.”
Some referenced her struggle with alcohol addiction: “She actually tried to get rid of alcohol, turning her problem into a way to spread alcohol awareness and keep herself productive.”
“I’m sad it ended this way…”
It follows the death of another young influencer last month.
Masja Grzykowska, 25, had been missing from social activities for over a year when her body was tragically found dead.
Fans feared the worst when Massa’s mother changed her daughter’s social profile photos to black.
Officials later confirmed the star’s tragic death.
