TikTok star Caleb Graves dies at 33 after finishing Disneyland marathon, talked about 'heat' in last post
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA: TikTok star Caleb Graves has died at age 33.
The running enthusiast was participating in the 2024 Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon on Sunday, September 8.
Just after Graves crossed the finishing line at the Anaheim, California, theme park, he went into a “cardiac arrest,” reported US Weekly.
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What did police officials say about Caleb Graves' death?
Anaheim Police Department public information officer Sergeant Matt Sutter told the outlet, “The runner crossed the finish line. As soon as he did, one of the workers at the marathon noticed the gentleman was clutching his chest. They noticed he was going into cardiac arrest.”
The officer added, “He was quickly transported to the nearby Anaheim Global Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead approximately an hour later.”
Graves used to regularly post about Disney parks and films over his TikTok account.
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On his website, Graves described himself as “a writer, director, screenwriter and producer” who liked to “run travel and eat donuts.”
He also released his debut poetry book, Love, and Other Love, on July 10.
Caleb Graves warned about heat during marathon, asked participants to 'stay hydrated'
On September 6, Graves posted on his TikTok, “If you’re running this weekend, remember it will be HOT! Stay hydrated and listen to your body. Good luck to all the runners!”
A day before his death, he shared, “I have, maybe, some susceptibility — I don’t know if it’s temporary or long-term — to heat because I was outside for, like, 20 minutes walking my dog, just walking around the block. It was hot, but I felt fine when I came in."
“And then, like, 10 minutes after I got back in, I just passed out, fell asleep, no control over my body. It was heat exhaustion, ’cause it’s only happened once to me before.”
Graves further said, “I really hope I get through the race tomorrow morning. The fact that it’s early will help me out because it’s not cute to just lose control of your body, just fall asleep like that.”
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Concerned netizens question why marathon wasn't postponed amid heat wave
Internet slammed the organizers for carrying on with the half marathon event despite heat challenge. A few also asked the rising death among youth with cardiac issues.
One user commented on Facebook, "I wonder what could be causing these high numbers of young, healthy athletes to have cardiac issues."
"So many young people die last couple of years 🤔," another joined in.
"Why did the marathon take place in the historic heat? 😳," a user questioned.
Another concerned person asked, "What ❓ is with all the Tik Tokers and YouTubers dying?!"
A user opined, "Highly physical events during heat advisories should be canceled and rescheduled. Why do they feel the need to push people past any decent measure of endurance?"
"He even said he didn't think he would finish. Then why the F do it? so dumb" one critic talked about Graves last social media post.
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.
