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Beloved internet star Joshua Blackledge's disturbing cause of death revealed...with 16 year-old's body found next to his TEDDY BEAR
A TikTok star whose sudden passing shocked the internet nearly three months ago died by suicide, it has emerged.
Joshua Blackledge, 16, died on March 18 at his home in Newport, North Carolina after suffering a gun shot wound to the head, documents obtained by US Weekly revealed.
A family member found his body next to a teddy bear, paper note and a picture.
Blackledge had 'exhibited behavioral changes' socially and academically in the year leading up to his tragic death, his family claimed, according to the documents.
No drug paraphernalia was present at the scene.
Blackledge was a junior at West Carteret high school and had over 1million followers on TikTok. His last post came on March 14 and saw him hanging out with his friend in a white pickup truck.
He often posted videos that saw him lip-syncing or hanging out with friends as well as his girlfriend Emmie Gillikin.
The pair celebrated their eight month anniversary just days before his death.
Gillikin paid tribute to Blackledge with a heartbreaking social media posts two days after the tragedy.
'Missing this sweet boy right now. never would've thought i would have been here without you,' Gillikin wrote on social media on March 20.
'Josh showed me what love really was even [though] im very young. he never failed to put a smile on my face no matter how mad i was at him ... Even after these past couple days nothing seems real and im feeling all the emotions.'
She also dismissed rumors surrounding Blackledge's death in a TikTok Post.
'hey so the rumors going around abt Josh are not true and people are taking it way too far, Josh was never bullied,' she wrote.
'Everyone always loved him as a friend and even just someone they knew so if you don't really know what happened then don't spread fake rumors.'
The social media star is survived by his parents Jonathan and Jackie Blackledge and his brother Josiah.
'Joshua will be remembered by those who knew him for his enthusiasm and love for life,' read an obituary for the teen posted by Noe-Brooks Funeral Home.
'He had a passion for the outdoors and loved being around water, whether fishing or boating with friends. He also had a love for cars and trucks.
'May his memory bring comfort to all who mourn his passing.'
A celebration of life was also held later that month for his family and friends.
