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Three articles on TikTok star Marquay Collins' tragic death

Stories by Columbus Ledger-Enquirer journalists, with AI summarization

The death of Marquay Collins, a Columbus resident who rose to fame on social media platforms, had a big impact on those who had come to enjoy his personality online.

Known as "marquaythegoat" on TikTok, Collins amassed more than 7 million followers on the platform. He was 24 at the time of his death.

The stories below share what we know about his death, his funeral arrangements and fundraising efforts to support his family.

Sonja Collins, the mother of Marquay Collins, posted on social media about his death. Marquay Collins was a Columbus native who amassed a significant following on social media.

NO. 1: COLUMBUS NATIVE WHO ROSE TO FAME ON TIKTOK DEAD AT THE AGE OF 24. WHAT WE KNOW.

A Columbus native who amassed a huge following on the social media app TikTok has died at the age of 24, according to the Muscogee County Coroner’s Office. | Published November 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kelby Hutchison

Marquay Collins in a photo shared by his mother, Sonja Collins. Collins died just before Thanksgiving after being in a car crash, though his cause of death wasn’t immediately known.

NO. 2: FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS SET IN COLUMBUS FOR TIKTOK STAR MARQUAY COLLINS. PUBLIC INVITED

Funeral arrangements for Marquay Collins, the Columbus native who became a TikTok star, have been scheduled. | Published December 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mark Rice

A verified fundraiser started by Marquay Collins’ mother, Sonja Collins, has raised more than $20,000.

NO. 3: UNVERIFIED FUNDRAISERS REMOVED AFTER MARQUAY COLLINS DEATH. GOFUNDME EXPLAINS DONOR SAFETY

GoFundMe has removed several unverified fundraisers that purported to raise money for the family of Columbus native and TikTok star Marquay Collins, who died at 24 late last month, the company said. | Published December 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jeremy Chisenhall

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.