Nearly three months after his shocking and unexpected death, medical examiner reports have confirmed the cause of death for teenage TikTok star Joshua Blackledge.
Sixteen-year-old Joshua Blackledge, a rising social media personality with more than 1.1 million TikTok followers, was found dead in his Newport, North Carolina home in March. He was found unresponsive by a family member.
Now, his cause of death has been confirmed by the state’s medical examiner’s office. Reports confirm that his cause of death was suicide.
The report, obtained by PEOPLE, states that Blackledge died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. At the scene, authorities found a firearm, a teddy bear, a handwritten note, and a photograph. The report noted that no drug paraphernalia or substances were found.
Family members told investigators that Blackledge had shown notable behavioral and academic changes in the year prior to his death. This was specifically noted in the examiner’s documents.
Blackledge was known for his lighthearted videos. He posted content ranging from lip-syncing and comedic clips to content featuring cars, friends, and his girlfriend.
The news of his passing has continued to spark widespread grief across social media, with fans and fellow creators posting tributes and raising awareness about mental health support for young people.
