A beloved TikToker died moments after completing the Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon, less than 24 hours after saying he was “slightly worried” about the event.
Bobby Graves, known by his middle name “Caleb” on social media, held his chest as he crossed the finish line of the California amusement park race around 7 a.m. Sunday, Anaheim police told People.
Graves, 35, collapsed and went into cardiac arrest, Anaheim police Sgt. Matt Sutter said.
“Firefighters and rescue personnel were on scene,” Sutter said, noting that “emergency services could not have been there any quicker” to treat the social media star.
Emergency personnel then “performed life-saving procedures” on Graves, an experienced and avid long-distance runner, before rushing him to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Sutter told People that the social media influencer had no known medical issues prior to his death.
The coroner’s office is still investigating the cause of his cardiac arrest.
Graves reportedly completed the 13.1-mile race in less than two hours.
“The race started at 5 a.m., I don’t know what wave he was in, but he crossed the finish line around 7 a.m.,” Sutter said, adding that Graves had a “really good time.”
The race took place early in the morning as Southern California was battling triple-digit heat waves, with Anaheim hitting a high of 107 degrees at midday Sunday.
The day before his death, Graves revealed he had “passed out” from heat exhaustion after returning home from walking his dog.
“The Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon is tomorrow, and I’m a little worried right now,” Graves said in a video titled “This Heat Is No Joke.”
The social media influencer said he went out around 2pm on Saturday for “about 20 minutes” and collapsed “about 10 minutes” after returning.
“Growing up in Texas, I know what the heat is like, but the UV exposure with the Southern California heat is kind of a beast of its own,” Graves explained.
“I really hope to succeed in the race tomorrow morning.”
Heat exhaustion occurs when a person’s body temperature rises to between 101 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit and they are unable to cool down due to ambient heat or a pre-existing health condition. The average body temperature is about 98.6 degrees.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion include dizziness, confusion, and nausea, which can usually be treated by drinking water and resting in a cool place.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, if heat exhaustion is left untreated, it can lead to heat stroke, a potentially fatal condition.
Heat stroke occurs when a person’s temperature rises to 106°F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes and the body cannot control its core temperature.
Following Graves’ sudden death, his friends and family shared messages of condolence on Facebook.
“It is with great sadness that I must announce, on behalf of the Graves family, the passing of Caleb Graves this morning. He will surely be missed by his loved ones and family,” wrote fellow TikToker Zane Drury.
“My family asks that you give the Graves family the space and opportunity they need to make the necessary arrangements for such an incredible loss, and join us in praying for a peace that surpasses all understanding.”
Disneyland Resort spokeswoman Jessica Good told KTLA that they were “deeply saddened by this tragic loss, and our thoughts are with Caleb’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
The Post has reached out to the Disneyland and Anaheim Police Departments for comment.
According to KTLA, Graves completed the full Disney World marathon and half marathon races in 2023 and this year.
