Rolling Ray Cause of Death Revealed a Month After Sudden Passing

Rolling Ray's cause of death has been revealed.

via: People

Ray, whose real name was Raymond Harper, died from natural causes, his family shared with The Washington Post. A spokesperson for Maryland's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner previously confirmed to PEOPLE that it received a report of the 28-year-old content creator’s death on Sept. 3. 

“I f------ hate it here why cuz 💔💔,why u leave me like this 💔. my favorite 💔. how can I heal from this pain 💔💔💔. ray ray I love you,” wrote the influencer’s cousin, known as Coolest Kishia, on Facebook, announcing his death.

“I am sitting in my room with tears rolling down my cheeks 💔💔. I am so heart broken 💔. I don’t have words for this right know u are my favorite cousinnnnwhy u dogged me like this 💔💔,” she shared in a second post.

Ray first gained notoriety in 2018 after an appearance on MTV’s Catfish: Trolls. Several years later, he gained viral status when he was featured on Divorce Court with Judge Lynn Toler. The internet star was known for coining the popular slang term "purr."

According to the Washington Post, Ray was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at 15 months old. Around when he turned 10, the internet personality started using a wheelchair as his condition progressed.

On Instagram, where Ray had his largest following, the creator posted social commentary and life updates.

In 2021, the Washington Post reported, Ray experienced severe burns on his face and body after a wig he was wearing caught fire while he was trying to light a cigarette, which caused him to be hospitalized and need surgery. The following year, he fell sick and was put into a medically induced coma.

In August 2024, Ray shared online that his health in May and June of that year had been “taking a turn for the worse” and that he had been hospitalized because he was having difficulty breathing. Though he spent most of the summer “healing” from pneumonia and a blood infection, he said he had received a breathing tube that had saved his life.

Ray used a wheelchair during his life due to paralysis. He shared other serious health issues online, including burns from a 2021 fire and a COVID-19 diagnosis in 2022.

Across the internet, fans and collaborators of the late internet personality shared tributes to Ray after news of his death became public.

"Gone way too soon. #RestInPeace to the BIG hearted, most Raw, & Real FRIEND & #Zeus Star #RaymondHarper aka @iamrollingray," wrote Zeus Network, on which Ray had appeared for several shows. "Your Laughter, Light, & Loving Spirit will Live on FOREVER! ♾️ From #BobbyILoveYouPurrr to #TheConversation, you were Unapologetically & Authentically your TRUEST Self. From your ZEUS Fam, we Love, Thank, & will Miss you Always! 🕊️"

“Rolling Ray was a menace lmaoo… but he changed soo much and became so positive,” penned rapper Cardi B in a post on X. “I know that soul made it to heaven…You will truly be missed BIG PURRRR!!!”