The TikTok community has suffered a heart-wrenching loss with the passing of one of its beloved members. John Crawley, a social media sensation affectionately known as KingBeardX (formerly Pimpmunkx) to his loyal 2.5 million TikTok followers, succumbed to his illness on August 18th, following a prolonged hospital stay. This sorrowful news was conveyed by his dear friend and former podcast cohost, Anthony Caruso. Crawley was 47 years old at the time of his demise.
"It grieves me deeply to inform everyone of this tragic news: Pimpmunkx (KingBeardX) left us yesterday," wrote Caruso, better known online as Shabisky, on a GoFundMe page dedicated to raising funds for Crawley's medical expenses. "My heartfelt thanks to all who have supported this fundraiser thus far. His mother has entrusted me to express her gratitude to each and every one of you."
In the wake of Crawley's passing, Caruso and his compatriot, renowned online as Benpai, hosted a poignant YouTube livestream to pay tribute to the charismatic content creator, renowned for his hilarious and expressive reactions to food videos, and to share insights into the events that led to his untimely death.
"John had been battling in the hospital for three to four weeks," revealed Benpai during the August 18th broadcast. "He struggled with breathing difficulties and suffered a heart attack last week. There were moments when he seemed to be stabilizing, only to take a turn for the worse again."
Just two days prior to Crawley's tragic demise, Caruso had posted a cautiously optimistic update about his friend's condition on the GoFundMe page. "I recently spoke with his mom," Caruso penned. "Although he can't speak, he is awake and responsive, which is a glimmer of hope. However, his lung and breathing issues persist."
Crawley's health began to deteriorate drastically at the onset of August, when he was admitted to the intensive care unit. "He's having trouble breathing," Caruso disclosed in an August 8th TikTok video. "He's hooked up to a respirator, and his condition is worsening. Tomorrow, they'll remove the respirator and perform a tracheotomy. The situation is dire."
Following the announcement of his death, numerous fans paid homage to Crawley by posting heartfelt messages on his obituary page. "Your videos served as a beacon of light during numerous dark days—a reminder to laugh, let go, and cherish the simple pleasures in life," penned one visitor. "You possessed a unique talent, not only for comedy but also for fostering connections."
They continued, "Thank you for each smile, each laugh, each fleeting moment of joy you bestowed upon the world. You will be profoundly missed, yet never forgotten. Rest in peace, Mr. Crawley."
