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26th March 2025
09:35am GMT
A 16-year-old TikTok star has tragically died in mysterious circumstances.
Joshua Blackledge died at his home in Newport, North Carolina, on March 18, according to his obituary.
However, the cause of his death has not been revealed.
The teenage content creator had gathered over a million loyal followers on TikTok.
His lip-syncing videos and clips of him hanging out with friends were popular on the platform.
@f30joshh on the tire ho @Rustyn ♬ original sound - BIG YAVO
His girlfriend Emmie Gillikin wrote on social media: "Missing this sweet boy right now. Never would’ve thought I would have been here without you.
"Josh showed me what love really was even [though] I'm very young. He never failed to put a smile on my face no matter how mad I was at him.
"Even after these past couple days nothing seems real and I'm feeling all the emotions."
His final TikTok video was uploaded on March 14, where he filmed himself hanging out with his friends in a white pickup truck.
He leaves behind his heartbroken parents, Jonathan and Jackie Blackledge, and his brother Josiah.
According to an obituary from Noe-Brooks funeral home, a celebration of Joshua's life was held on Sunday.
The statement said that Joshua was a junior at West Carteret High School where he took part in wrestling and track sports.
He was also passionate about fishing and boating as well as cars and trucks.
The commemoration read: "At home, Joshua liked helping his mom with cooking, gardening, and yard work. He had an energetic spirit and was known for his entertaining nature, often impressing others with backflips."
Fans of his videos were devastated by the news and flocked to TikTok to pay tribute to the youngster.
One wrote: "There's no way. I'm praying for Emmie. Rest in peace Josh."
A second said: "Rest in peace. You're gone too soon."
His girlfriend has been forced to shutdown rumours surrounding his death.
On Thursday she wrote: "Hey so the rumors going around abt Josh are not true and people are taking it way too far, Josh was never bullied.
"Everyone always loved him as a friend and even just someone they knew so if you don't really know what happened then don't spread fake rumors."
