YouTuber Paul Harrell Announces Own Death at 58 in Prerecorded Video

YouTuber Paul Harrell has announced his own death from pancreatic cancer at 58. 

In a prerecorded video posted on Wednesday, Sept. 4, and titled “I’m Dead,” Harrell shared that his pancreatic cancer had “spread faster than I thought it would” and reached his bones. 

“I’m recording this and giving Brad [Nelson — his manager] instructions to publish it upon my death, so if you’re watching me, I’m dead,” he began in the clip, which he said was recorded on Dec. 20, 2023. 

“Now a few months ago I sat here on this log, and told you I’d been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and I told you they caught it early and we were going to be here for some time. Well, we did catch it early but not as early as I had thought,” he continued, before sharing that his bones had “crumbled” due to cancer and he had fractured his hip and was now using a crutch. 

“My time is drawing short,” he added.

According to an obituary on Legacy.com, Harrell was 58 years old and was a U.S. Army and Marine Corps veteran.

Harrell garnered over 1.2 million subscribers on his YouTube channel, where he posted videos discussing gun safety and reviewing firearms. 

In the video announcing his death, Harrell went on to thank his subscribers and offered an apology for not being able to continue posting.

“My goal in doing all of this was, yes, to have fun, do some things that were fun, but primarily to put out useful information. Or if not useful at least interesting information,” he said. “And what I really hope is that, as you’re watching me, you’ve seen some things that have made you say, ‘Oh I get it, okay.’ ” 

“My sincere apologies,” he continued. “I had hoped that I would continue in this format for the next 10 or even 15 years. And even once I was diagnosed I had hoped we would be here two or three more years, and it’s turned out to only be a few more months. And my apologies for that. It really makes me feel like I’ve let everybody down.”

“I guess the final line, I have not really rehearsed this, is that I’m really glad to have had the opportunity to do all of the stuff that we’ve done,” he added, emotionally. “I really hope it’s been helpful and I really appreciate you watching, commenting and participating, and I have probably very few regrets in what we’ve done here.”  

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Harrell’s brother then appeared in the clip and shared that the news of his brother’s death was true and that he was “heartbroken.”

“It was his wish that I maintain his legacy through this channel,” his brother said. “He will remain an inspiration to us all.”

The clip was followed by an appearance from Harrell’s manager Nelson, who explained that they will continue posting on his channel and “continuing to educate people the way that Paul did.”

“He was a very generous and kind guy and told the best campfire stories,” Nelson added.