Utah Dad Tanner Martin Dies Weeks After Welcoming Daughter, Leaving Heartbreaking Legacy
Tanner Martin, a Utah father whose public battle with stage 4 colon cancer resonated with hundreds of thousands online, has passed away at the age of 30. His death on June 25 came just weeks after he and his wife, Shay Wright, welcomed their first child, a daughter named AmyLou.
Martin’s journey through terminal illness and his determination to become a dad despite his prognosis captured widespread attention on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
A Courageous Fight Against Stage 4 Cancer
Tanner Martin was diagnosed with aggressive stage 4 colon cancer in November 2020 when he was just 25 years old, after experiencing symptoms like stomach aches and difficulty with bowel movements. By the time of diagnosis, the cancer had already spread to his liver. Despite undergoing extensive treatment, including over 50 rounds of chemotherapy and radiation and six major surgeries, the disease proved relentless.
In February 2023, following an eight-month battle with sepsis, the cancer spread to his lungs. His oncologist delivered the difficult news that his cancer was incurable, giving him a prognosis of two to five years to live. Shay described this period as feeling “completely defeated and hopeless.”
Building a Family Against All Odds
Despite the terminal diagnosis, Tanner and Shay were determined to start a family. Recognizing the challenges posed by Tanner’s health, they pursued in vitro fertilization (IVF). In November 2024, they joyfully announced they were expecting their first child, sharing their bittersweet journey with followers.
Shay, a mental health therapist, spoke candidly about the complex emotions they experienced during the pregnancy, acknowledging a mix of excitement, grief, fear, and anxiety, unlike typical expectant parents. Tanner also shared the profound heartbreak of knowing he might not live to see his child grow up, despite his lifelong dream of being a father.
Meeting His Daughter: A Race Against Time
Their daughter, AmyLou, was born on May 15, 2025. Announcing her arrival, Shay shared photos captioned with the poignant words, “Her daddy made it,” highlighting the significance of Tanner living long enough to meet and hold his baby girl. Intimate footage shared online showed Tanner meeting AmyLou for the first time, whispering how long he had waited for her.
However, Tanner’s health declined rapidly in the following weeks. On June 21, just days before his passing, Shay announced that Tanner had made the “brave decision” to enter hospice care to better manage his pain and discomfort.
A Unique Farewell: Pre-Recorded Messages
In a move that reflected his public persona and desire to ease the burden on his grieving wife, Tanner pre-recorded video messages to be shared after his death.
In one video, shared by Shay on June 25, a high-spirited Tanner, despite a weak voice, directly addressed his followers: “Hey, it’s me, Tanner, if you’re watching this, I am dead.” He explained he recorded the message to share his final thoughts and give Shay space to grieve privately before making the announcement. He reflected positively on his life, stating, “I had a heck of a life” and “Life was awesome. I really enjoyed it while I was here.”
He also shared his beliefs about the afterlife, expressing excitement about reuniting with deceased family members and seeing them free from pain. While acknowledging death was “scary,” he also viewed it as a “new adventure.” He thanked his fans for their support, which he said made his final years more enjoyable and comfortable.
Ensuring His Daughter’s Future: The GoFundMe Legacy
A second poignant video, filmed before his death, showed Tanner sitting with newborn AmyLou sleeping beside him, visibly weaker and connected to medical equipment. In this message, Tanner spoke heartbreakingly about his daughter likely having no memory of him due to her young age.
He used this video to make a final, crucial appeal: he asked his followers to support his wife and daughter financially through a GoFundMe campaign. He explained the fund was established to “replace what I would be there for,” specifically mentioning covering future expenses like replacing his income, paying for babysitting, schooling, and even AmyLou’s wedding – things he and Shay would have done together. On the GoFundMe page, it was revealed that Tanner did not have life insurance, underscoring the critical need for the fundraiser. Tanner, with his characteristic humor, lightheartedly suggested that donations equivalent to “the price of a McChicken” could help fund AmyLou’s “legacy fund.”
The community’s response was swift and overwhelming. The GoFundMe campaign saw significant support, quickly raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for his family within hours of being shared.
Knowing his time was limited, Tanner and Shay made deliberate efforts to create lasting memories and messages for AmyLou, preparing letters, videos, and gifts for future birthdays to ensure she would know her father and his love for her.
Tanner Martin’s bravery in sharing his journey, his dedication to his family, and his unique final farewell have left a powerful impact on those who followed his story, highlighting the profound love between a father and his daughter, even in the face of unimaginable loss.
