TikTok star Cooper Noriega has been found dead just hours after posting a chilling video.
Content Warning: This post discusses mental illness and death. If you find any part of this post triggering please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
The 19-year-old was reportedly found “unconscious” in a mall parking lot outside Los Angeles on Thursday. TMZ reported that a passerby called emergency services, but paramedics were unable to revive the young social media star.
The outlet reported there were no signs of injury, and Noriega was not in a vehicle when he was found.
Just hours before his death, Cooper posted a video of himself on TikTok with the caption: “Who else b thinking they gon d!€ young af.”
https://www.tiktok.com/@coopernoriega/video/7107283045354442030?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7034608047252620802
His cause of death has been deferred, according to a spokesperson who spoke to People, which “means that after an autopsy, a cause of death has not been determined and the medical examiner is requesting more investigation.”
“Once the tests/studies come back, the doctor evaluates the case again and makes the cause of death determination,” they added.
Cooper’s ex-girlfriend Sabrina Quesada paid a touching Instagram tribute after news of his death.
Sabrina captioned a photo carousel of the two of them: “the light of my life, you’re the best thing that ever happened to me. i’m so sorry my love. may we meet again.”
Four days before his death, Noriega announced that he was creating a Discord server dedicated to mental health discussion, which he invited his followers to join.
“If you’re really into getting your emotions out, or whatever, come join,” he said in a TikTok video. “I created [the server] because of how much I love you guys and how much I struggle with it myself.”
