If You’re Watching This, I’m Already Dead

YouTuber Paul Harrell has tragically announced his own death through a pre-recorded video shared on his channel. He was 58 years old.

A veteran of the US Army and Marine Corps, Harrell gained a substantial following as a firearms educator and gun rights advocate, amassing over 1.2 million subscribers on YouTube.

In the video, filmed on December 20, 2023, Harrell shared the heartbreaking news that he was battling pancreatic cancer. He noted that he had instructed his manager to release the video following his passing, stating, “If you’re watching me, I’m dead.”

Reflecting on his diagnosis, he said, “A few months ago, I sat here on this log and told you I’d been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I mentioned that they caught it early and that we were still going to be here for some time.”

He continued, “Well, we did catch it early but not as early as I had thought. It has spread faster than I imagined. You might have seen me recently using this crutch. I mentioned breaking my hip. Although I did break my hip, it wasn’t due to any accident; the cancer has spread to my bones, causing them to fracture and leading me to fall.”

With a heavy heart, he added, “My time is drawing very short.”

Harrell expressed hope that his brother would take over the responsibility of continuing to create content for the channel.

In his heartfelt message, he conveyed gratitude to his fans, viewers, and subscribers, while also apologizing for his inability to maintain the channel himself.

He stated, “My goal in doing all of this was, yes, to have fun and engage in some enjoyable activities, but primarily to provide useful information.”

He added, “Or at the very least, interesting information. I really hope that, as you’ve watched, you’ve encountered insights that made you think, ‘Oh, I get it now.’”

Harrell expressed his desire for his reviews and recommendations to have a positive impact on his viewers, saying, “I hope that some of the reviews we’ve done have saved you money and helped you avoid purchasing items that wouldn’t have suited you well. If those things have happened, then we’ve achieved our goal.”

As the video concluded, there was additional footage recorded by his brother and manager, Brad Nelson. Nelson paid tribute to Harrell, describing him as a “generous and kind guy” who “told the best campfire stories.”

He reflected on the positive influence Harrell had on numerous lives, including his own, saying, “I’m very grateful for that.”