YOUTUBER Paul Harrell has died from pancreatic cancer at the age of 58, he confirmed in his own video.
The content creator from Oregon with over 1.13 million subscribers announced the news in a YouTube video titled, “I’m Dead.”
“If you’re watching me, I’m dead,” he told fans in the video that was recorded on December 20, 2023.
His family published the six-minute clip following his death on Tuesday.
In the video, the firearms expert addressed subscribers while sitting on a log in a forest – the same place from which he had told them he had been diagnosed with Stage 2 pancreatic cancer.
He proceeded to detail his health battle despite previously reassuring fans that his cancer had been “caught early” and that he’d “be here for some time.”
“We did catch it early but not as early as I had thought,” he admitted.
“It has spread faster than I thought it would.
“My time is drawing very short.”
Harrell revealed that while fans knew he had been using crutches after breaking his hip, it was caused by his cancer which had spread to his bones causing them to “crumble” and for his hip to fracture.
The final point made by Harrell was to offer is “sincere apologies” to the community he built on YouTube as he admitted to feeling guilty at his sudden demise.
“I had hoped that I would continue in this format for the next 10 or even 15 years,” he said.
If you’re watching me, I’m dead.
Paul Harrell
“Even once I was diagnosed I’d hoped that we’d be here for at least two or three more years and that’s turned out to be only a few more months.
“My apologies for that. It makes me feel like I’ve let everybody down.”
PAYING TRIBUTE
While Harrell’s role with the Paul Harrell channel has finished, he said that there were plans for his brother and the rest of the production team to take the lead.
Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer
Symptoms are often not present until the cancer is advanced and has spread to other organs.
- Belly pain that spreads to the sides or back.
- Loss of appetite.
- Weight loss.
- Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, called jaundice.
- Light-colored or floating stools.
- Dark-colored urine.
- Itching.
- New diagnosis of diabetes or diabetes that’s getting harder to control.
- Pain and swelling in an arm or leg, which might be caused by a blood clot.
- Tiredness or weakness.
Source: Mayo Clinic
“I had the great privilege of having Paul in my life and having him as a friend. He is very generous and a kind guy and he told the best campfire stories,” Brad Nelson, Paul’s editor and manager said at the end of the clip.
His brother told viewers that once he and the team have had time to grieve and process Harrell’s death, they will continue to post to the channel and “honor his memory.”
The only request made by his brother was that those who made posts about the passing of the gun activist “keep their personal politics or religious beliefs out of them.”
“He will remain an inspiration to us all,” he tearfully concluded.
Harrell shared his knowledge about firearms on his channel including gun safety, ammunition, reviews, and accurate shooting.
The channel promises to give viewers “real firearms information for citizens” as fans called Harrell the “best firearms educator.”
Fans flooded the comments on the video as well as social media to pay tribute to the firearm expert.
“There’s a substantial void in the universe now that cannot be filled,” one wrote.
“He was ‘what you call a professional,’ and will be sorely missed.”
“Paul Harrell is the only man humble enough to apologize for dying, the world won’t be the same without him,” another wrote.
“Even beyond the grave, the sense of humor is dark but appropriate. We’ll miss you, Paul,” a third said.
