Social media star Leah Smith has tragically died aged just 22 years old.
The TikTok star, from Liverpool, had amassed over 500,000 followers on the video-sharing platform.
But tragically, Smith’s boyfriend has now confirmed the heartbreaking news that she passed away on March 11.
Since the devastating news has broken, fellow TikTok stars and fans have shared deeply emotional tributes to Smith.
Fellow TikTok star Katylee Bailey pens: “Leah was such a beautiful person inside and out! She will never be forgotten! Rest in peace.”
TikToker Leuan Jones adds: “This is so sad, life is so cruel! Rest in peace lovely lady.”
“Been a silent follower for years. Wow, I’m so sorry, rest in paradise beautiful. I hope you’re finally at peace,” a follower writes.
Somebody else says: “Rest in peace beautiful, you taught me to be strong even in the darkest of times and you will be in my memory forever, rest easy sweet girl.”
Smith’s boyfriend Andrew announced the news of her passing in a video, saying: “This is just a message to anyone that’s followed Leah or gave her any support or any nice comments. I’m sad to say that she passed away today at around 11:30 this morning.
“I just want to say thank you to everyone. All your comments did help – she did actually read all of them. Anyone who said anything nice ever – it means more than you realise.
“We’ll all miss Leah but we’ll make sure that we never forget her.
“I want to see everyone speaking about Leah and how amazing she is and how much she helped everyone. We’ll never let Leah be forgotten.”
Days before Smith’s passing, her best friend Vikki issued the following update on TikTok: “Andrew hasn’t left her side, he’s been an absolute rock to her throughout this journey.
“The main thing is that Leah is so peaceful now, she looks as beautiful as ever and we’re just grateful we can be at her bedside and hold her and comfort her through it.
“We will keep you updated as we know that’s what Leah would want. She shared so much of her journey with you and it’s only fair that we continue to do that. Leah asked me to do this and so that is what I will do for her.
“We appreciate all of the love and support – it really warms our hearts and we’re so grateful.”
Smith was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Ewing sarcoma in 2019.
Per the Mayo Clinic: “Ewing sarcoma is a type of cancer that begins as a growth of cells in the bones and the soft tissue around the bones.
“Ewing (Yoo-ing) sarcoma mostly happens in children and young adults, although it can happen at any age.”
Smith told the Liverpool Echo in 2020: “I had really bad back pains for 10 months. It was constant then I lost all the feeling in my left leg and I knew something was most definitely wrong.”
She added: “I wanted to start a TikTok to express my journey and show people my life living with cancer – the ups and downs of it. People absolutely love it.”
Last month, the TikTok star offered a heartwrenching update on her illness to her followers.
Smith explained: “All the pain meds aren’t working so they really just want to get me to as comfortable a state as possible.
“I don’t know what this means for me, if it is the end of the journey. But all my family have come round and I am just going to act like I’m good and great because quite frankly, I am so so scared. I don’t want to die yet. I’m sorry.”
Our thoughts are with Smith’s loved ones at this devastating time.
Rest in peace.
@xx_leahsmith💔💛
