TikTok star Joshua Blackledge dies at 16 in North Carolina, fans mourn viral car content creator

Joshua Blackledge, a rising TikTok star known for his car videos and upbeat personality, has died at age 16. According to his obituary, he passed away at his home in Newport, North Carolina, on March 18. The cause of death has not been publicly disclosed by his family.

A junior at West Carteret High School in Morehead City, Blackledge was active in wrestling and track. Outside of school, he loved the outdoors—particularly fishing and boating with friends—and had a deep passion for cars and trucks. At home, he enjoyed helping his mother with cooking, gardening, and yard work. Known for his high energy and entertaining nature, he often impressed others with his backflips.

Blackledge had built a following of around one million on TikTok, where he frequently showcased his white BMW and, more recently, a new white truck. His girlfriend, Emmie Gillikin, was also a familiar face on his account. The couple had recently celebrated their eight-month anniversary in early March.

In a heartfelt tribute, Gillikin shared clips of their relationship, writing: “Josh showed me what love really was… he never failed to put a smile on my face no matter how mad I was at him.” She added that the days following his death didn’t feel real and that she was “feeling all the emotions.”

The two first met over two years ago, and one of Blackledge’s most popular pinned videos featured a compilation of their time together, originally posted for their five-month anniversary.

A celebration of his life was held on Sunday in Newport, where family and friends gathered to honor his memory. He is survived by his parents and younger brother.