TikTok star Caleb Graves shared a harrowing video the day before he tragically collapsed at the finish line of Disneyland's half marathon.
As previously reported, the social media star - known online by his middle name, Caleb - sadly passed away after crossing the amusement park's finish line around 7:00AM on Sunday, September 8.
Anaheim Police Sgt. Matt Sutter disclosed that Graves was seen clutching his chest before a volunteer caught him as he dropped to the ground, according to the Los Angeles Times.
“Anaheim fire and rescue personnel were on scene immediately and started giving lifesaving measures and transported him to the hospital,” Sutter stated. “Unfortunately, they worked on him for about an hour, and he was pronounced deceased at the hospital.”
The Orange County coroner’s office confirmed the 35-year-old's identity. He was a resident of Garden Grove and a well-known Disney enthusiast.
He was born in Stephenville, Texas, and held a degree in biology from the University of Texas at Austin and a law degree from Georgetown University.
The day before Graves' death, the TikToker shared a chilling video titled, “This heat is wild," on the social media platform.
He revealed to his 19.6K followers that he “passed out” from heat exhaustion after he returned home from walking his dog.
Watch Graves' TikTok below:Graves opened up about his concerns about the race, saying: "The Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon is tomorrow and I'm marginally worried now. So I went outside today around like 2:00PM which is part of the hottest part of the day and it was like 90-something degrees... The UV exposure with the heat in Southern California is its own kind of beast."
The social media influencer said he may have "some susceptibility... temporary or long term to heat because I was outside for like 20 minutes walking my dog".
"10 minutes after I got back in I just passed out, I just fell asleep, no control over my body, it was heat exhaustion," he said, adding, "I really hope I get through the race tomorrow morning".
Per Cleveland Clinic, if heat exhaustion is not treated quickly, it can lead to heatstroke, which is a life-threatening condition.
Graves was an experienced long-distance runner who completed Disney World’s full marathon and half-marathon races in 2023 and this year, per KTLA.
Outside of running, he worked as a litigation associate at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, specializing in intellectual property, digital media, and entertainment law.
His employer shared a statement, which read: “We were informed earlier today that Caleb Graves passed away."
"His many friends and colleagues at the firm are grieving the loss of a stellar person and lawyer. Out of respect for his family’s privacy, we have no further comment at this time," they added.
The runner's loved ones have also shared tribute messages. “It is with great sadness that on behalf of the Graves family that mine should announce the passing of Caleb Graves this morning. He will surely be missed by both of those close to him and to his family,” his friend Zane Drury penned, per The New York Post.
“My family asks that you would give the Graves family the space and opportunity they need to make the upcoming arrangements necessary for such an incredible loss, and to join with us in prayer for peace that surpasses all understanding," Drury added.
Our thoughts continue to be with Graves' family and friends at this time.
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