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Social media influencer Bobby Graves died after competing in Disneyland’s Halloween Half Marathon over the weekend.
The avid runner and popular TikToker collapsed just moments after crossing the finish line Sept. 8, according to Anaheim police Sgt. Matt Sutter.
The 33-year-old—who went by Caleb on social media—received medical assistance at around 7 a.m. after finishing the race in just under two hours.
“He crossed the finish line in a very respectable time. It looks like he’s an experienced runner,” Sutter told The Epoch Times.
When he crossed the finish line, marathon personnel noticed Graves going into cardiac arrest and caught him before he collapsed.
Anaheim fire and rescue personnel were on site and immediately treated Graves, who was taken to a nearby medical center, where he was pronounced dead.
“The battalion chief told me he could not have received medical care any faster. [The paramedics] were right there,” Sutter said. “They worked on him for [about] an hour to try to save his life, but they were unable to do so.”
In a statement to The Epoch Times, Disneyland spokesperson Jessica Good said, “We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss, and our hearts are with Caleb’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
While officials have not yet released a cause of death, Southern California was facing a triple-digit heat wave with an excessive heat warning in effect in the Los Angeles area.
Graves explained that growing up in Texas he developed a “susceptibility” to heat but pointed out that UV exposure in Southern California is “its own kind of beast.”
“I have some susceptibility, I don’t know if it’s temporary or long-term, to heat. Because I was outside for like 20 minutes, walking my dog, and it was hot, but I felt fine … and then like 10 minutes after I got back in, I just passed out,” he said.
“I just fell asleep—no control over my body. It was heat exhaustion. It’s only happened once to me before.
“I don’t know what’s going on, but I really hope I get through the race tomorrow morning.”
Graves also posted at the pre-race event Sept. 6 showing clips of himself picking up his race number before reminding others of the extreme temperatures.
“If you’re running this weekend, remember it will be hot,“ he said. ”Stay hydrated and listen to your body. Good luck to all the runners!”
The Orange County Coroner’s Office is handling his autopsy.