Warning: This article contains discussion of cancer which some readers may find distressing.
Shay Wright, the widow of Tanner Martin, has shared memories of the lead-up to her husband’s cancer diagnosis.
Tanner Martin, a popular influencer, passed away in June of this year after battling colon cancer for five years.
In an unconventional way, Tanner announced his own passing through a pre-recorded video released on social media.
“Hey, it’s me, Tanner. If you’re watching this, I am dead,” the video began.
In the emotionally charged message, Tanner explained: “I had a heck of a life. I decided to make this video announcing my death because I saw someone did that, like, a year or so ago, and I think it’s a good opportunity to get all your thoughts out, and then also, you can be thoughtful about what your spouse or your partner might need.”
In the months following his passing, Shay has opened up about the symptoms Tanner faced before being diagnosed at 25.
During a conversation on The Unplanned Podcast, Shay revealed: “In the summer of 2020 […] he just started to have bowel/stomach issues and he had issues sitting down for a long period of time. He was really uncomfortable.”
She noted that it’s ‘really common’ for colon cancer patients to experience changes in bowel movements.
“He went to the doctor numerous times and the doctor gave him some medicine,” Shay continued. “It helped with his stomach issues but issues kept coming back.”
As the symptoms persisted, Tanner was advised to consult a gastrointestinal specialist. They initially examined his gallbladder, found no problems, and subsequently referred Tanner for a colonoscopy.
Shay explained: “At that point he’d started having a lot of blood in his stool.”
The colonoscopy couldn’t be completed because a large mass was discovered 10cm into his colon. The doctor expressed being ’99 percent sure that it’s cancer’.
Despite hopes that it was early-stage cancer due to Tanner’s young age, it was unfortunately diagnosed as stage four.
Tanner passed away on June 25, 2025.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the American Cancer Society on 1-800-227-2345 or via their live chat feature, available 24/7 every day of the year.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].