Joshua Fay Saunders, better known to his fellow YouTubers as KingCobraJFS, passed away at 34. The Casper, Wyoming, police confirmed the news on Friday, and the internet community was sent into a frenzy of grief.
The Natrona County Office of the Coroner released a statement confirming Saunders’ identity after he was discovered unresponsive in his apartment during an Aug. 21 check on his well-being.
“The Natrona County Coroner’s Office and Casper Police Department are investigating on August 21, 2025, death at the 100 block of North Forest Drive,” the statement went on. “Natrona County Coroner James Whipps has released the decedent as 34-year-old Casper resident Joshua Fay Saunders.” An autopsy is being arranged and Next of Kin has been contacted. The investigation continues and further information on the circumstances of death will be available later.”
Father’s viral emotional video
Less than a day after the announcement of his death, a highly emotional video of Saunders’ father emerged on his son’s YouTube channel before being deleted. In the video, Saunders’ father narrated that Joshua was found unresponsive during a wellness check and also expressed his sadness to viewers.
The video was subsequently shared on X (formerly Twitter) by Slacker Blue Pod user, where it became viral among Saunders’ fanbase. Saunders’ father described in the video that he had originally logged into his son’s accounts with the intention of deleting them, but failed to do so. He stated that Joshua would not have appreciated having his content deleted and respected the close bond the YouTuber had built with his viewers.
Possible health struggles
In a Dexerto report, even with an impending official autopsy, Saunders’ physicians believe that he died in his sleep from organ failure. The alleged cause is reported to be related to liver damage.
Accounts also report that Saunders’ health was not doing well for a long time, particularly following the suicide of a dear friend earlier this year and the passing of his favorite icon, Ozzy Osbourne, whom he often sang praises for in his videos. The YouTuber was previously seen talking about his struggles with grieving, and in a video uploaded just days prior to his death, he openly admitted to being extremely ill. That video, as well, was widely shared on social media upon his death.
A unique YouTube legacy
Joshua Saunders created the KingCobraJFS channel more than a decade ago, where he gained notoriety for his eccentric personality, DIY projects, cooking experiments, and candid livestreams. Despite often being a polarizing figure, he built a dedicated following that admired his authenticity and unfiltered approach to online content.
Others have since flooded social media with condolences, sharing memories of his videos and mourning with his family. Most attributed the fact that Saunders’ work, while unconventional, gave audiences everywhere a sense of familiarity and entertainment.
What’s next
Natrona County Coroner’s Office confirmed that an autopsy was scheduled, but results may not be complete for several weeks. In the meantime, the fans and other creators are mourning the loss of someone who had obviously made a mark on the YouTube community.
As his father Saunders reminded everyone in his emotional oration, the family wishes to maintain Joshua’s internet fame alive so that fans can remember him through the videos he worked all his life to post.
For now, that virtual life that logged on daily to watch KingCobraJFS cook, make, and converse is left shocked by the passing of a character who, as much as he may have irritated us, made his mark in web history.
Jamie Wells has a knack for getting the inside scoop on Hollywood’s biggest stars and up-and-coming talent. With a sharp eye for industry trends and an ear for viral moments, Jamie covers everything from red-carpet events to behind-the-scenes drama in movies, TV, and celebrity culture.
