‘South Park Guy’ cosplayer Jarod Nandin dies from COVID-19

A man who became an icon with his impression of a much-loved cartoon character shared some distressing news with his followers, before tragedy struck.

Cosplayer Jarod Nandin, known as “the South Park Guy,” has passed away at age 40 after contracting coronavirus.

The famous gamer announced he had been diagnosed with COVID-19 after going to the ER with chest pain in mid-December.

World of Warcraft website Wowhead announced that Nandin had passed away on Monday.

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We are deeply saddened to report that Jarod "NWBZPWNR" Nandin, aka "The South Park Guy" cosplayer from BlizzCon 2013, has passed away after contracting Covid-19. #Warcraft pic.twitter.com/cqLVmyV3qp

— Wowhead (@Wowhead) January 4, 2021

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Mr Nandin regularly updated his fans about his condition on social media after being diagnosed with the virus. His last update was on December 28.

The gamer kept his updates light, even though his health appeared to be deteriorating.

“I’m really sorry to worry you guys. I’m in the hospital getting treatment. Things look good,” he wrote on December 22.

“I’m just looking at COVID with a sh*t-eating grin on my face and saying: ‘How do you kill that which … has no life?’”

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Wasn’t sure I was gonna worry you guys but things are now looking good. Went to the ER yesterday for chest pains. They suspect I have covid. Test results not in yet. Feeling better after treatments. Again, things look good so don’t fret. Will keep you all posted. pic.twitter.com/T7x6VFtqbC

— NWBZPWNR (@JarodNWBZPWNR) December 19, 2020

I tested positive for covid. I’m really sorry guys. Don’t worry. I’ll make it.

— NWBZPWNR (@JarodNWBZPWNR) December 22, 2020

Breathing complications arose. Treatment plan reevaluated. Working on it. Doing okay. #covid recovery.

— NWBZPWNR (@JarodNWBZPWNR) December 27, 2020

Breathing issues still a problem. Oxygen saturation levels keep dropping below 90. They are trying to figure things out. Waiting to know more.

— NWBZPWNR (@JarodNWBZPWNR) December 28, 2020

Mr Nandin rose to fame in the gaming community after he dressed up as the World of Warcraft player from South Park at a convention in 2013.

Due to his uncanny resemblance to the cartoon character, he became known as the “South Park Guy”.

Members of the community took to social media to mourn him on Monday, writing tributes about how he was an icon and encouraged all to cosplay as they pleased.

A GoFundMe page set up to raise money for Mr Nandin’s mother describes him as “a man who touched so, so many in the cosplay community by his contagious laugh and kindness”.

It said: “He was a proponent for body positivity, encouraging people to dress up as whatever character they wanted to.”

The campaign had already well surpassed its $US5000 ($A6500) goal by Monday afternoon.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as ‘South Park Guy’ cosplayer Jarod Nandin dies from COVID-19