TikTok sensation Caleb Graves’ final moments before his sudden passing have left fans in shock, as his last videos eerily hinted at the danger to come. The 35-year-old avid runner participated in Disneyland’s highly anticipated half-marathon on September 8, battling intense heat in California. But shortly after crossing the finish line, Caleb tragically collapsed and was later pronounced dead.
His final TikTok, posted just a day before the race, has since gained a somber significance. In it, Caleb spoke about the scorching temperatures that worried him ahead of the marathon.
“Disneyland Half Marathon, the Halloween Half Marathon, is tomorrow and I’m marginally worried now,” Caleb shared with his nearly 18,000 followers. “I went outside today around 2:00—which is probably the hottest part of the day—and it was 90-something degrees.”
Known by his online persona Caleb but born Bobby Graves, the TikToker candidly discussed his recent struggles with heat during exercise.
“I have some susceptibility, I don’t know if it’s temporary or long-term, to heat,” he revealed. “I was outside for like 20 minutes, walking my dog, and it was hot, but I felt fine. Then, like 10 minutes after I got back inside, I just passed out. I just fell asleep—no control over my body. It was heat exhaustion, it’s only happened once before. I don’t know what’s going on, but I really hope I get through the race tomorrow.”
Despite his concerns, Caleb pushed forward. In a follow-up post, he encouraged his followers, reminding them to stay cautious: “Stay hydrated and listen to your body. Good luck to all the runners!”
However, the morning of the marathon, fate took a heartbreaking turn. Anaheim Police Sgt. Matt Sutter confirmed Caleb collapsed immediately after completing the race, just as he crossed the finish line. Caleb finished the grueling 13 miles in under two hours, but as he reached the end, witnesses noticed him grabbing his chest. A worker rushed to his side before he collapsed.
“He went into cardiac arrest,” Sgt. Sutter said. “Medics performed life-saving measures and rushed him to a nearby hospital, but despite their efforts, Caleb was pronounced dead after an hour.”
Though the exact cause of Caleb’s death is still under investigation, with an autopsy report pending, his passing has shaken the running community and his fans alike. The Orange County Coroner’s Office will be handling the autopsy, but results could take weeks or even months to be revealed.
As Sgt. Sutter noted, while cardiac events can occur during strenuous races, deaths like Caleb’s are rare. Fans of the TikTok star are now left heartbroken, watching his final posts with a deeper sense of sadness, knowing that Caleb had foreseen the dangers but still took on the challenge.
Caleb’s story is a sobering reminder to all—listen to your body, especially when the heat is on.
