Influencer Esther Thomas Dies Suddenly After Surgery Complications at 26

13 January 2026

The creative community on social media and fans around the world were left in shock and mourning this week after the death of Nigerian influencer Esther Thomas, known online as Sunshine, who passed away following complications from surgery to remove a large fibroid. Thomas was just 26 years old when she died on January 9, 2026, her family announced in a heartfelt statement shared with followers on social media. Her sudden passing has sparked an outpouring of grief across platforms where she had gathered nearly half a million followers for her comedic skits, collaborations and joyful spirit.

Thomas first began experiencing intense abdominal pain in late December 2025, according to videos and updates shared by close friends and collaborators. As the pain grew worse by early January, she was rushed to a hospital where scans revealed that the fibroid, a benign growth in the uterus that can cause significant discomfort had grown to an alarming size. Medical professionals recommended surgery to remove it and, following the procedure, initially reported that the operation itself was successful. However, complications soon developed in the hours after she was discharged from the operating room, leading to her sudden and tragic death.

The announcement of Thomas’s passing came in a statement posted by her family, who expressed their devastation and asked for privacy and respect as they make funeral arrangements. “We the family of Esther Thomas (A.K.A. Sunshine), with pain in our heart, deeply regret to announce the sudden demise of our beloved sister and daughter,” the message read, acknowledging the shock that her loved ones are still trying to process.

Esther Thomas built a vibrant online presence through content that resonated with joy, laughter and relatability. On Instagram and Facebook she amassed nearly 500,000 combined followers, drawn to her humorous skit-style videos and her collaborations with other Nigerian creators such as Ifedilimuo Ifeanyi Prosper widely known as realbigskilz, Lucy Antem and Chidera Madu. Her content often reflected a playful, authentic personality and a keen sense of connection with her audience, who celebrated her energy and creativity.

Throughout the years, Thomas maintained a presence that stood out for its warmth and accessibility. Many fans cited how her comedy and collaborative spirit brightened their feeds, turning ordinary moments into expressions of joy shared across continents. When news of her deteriorating health began to circulate in early January, heartfelt prayers and get-well messages flooded her comment sections, with followers expressing concern and hopeful encouragement. Tragically, that hope turned to sorrow as her condition unexpectedly worsened.

The community response to her death was immediate and emotional. Tributes poured in from fans, friends and fellow influencers who remembered her for both her creativity and her kindness. “You were such a nice, dedicated and very hardworking person,” one follower wrote, adding that they were struggling to process her loss. Others shared pictures and videos that highlighted her personality moments that felt ordinary and joyful, now remembered with renewed poignancy in the wake of her passing.

Friends and collaborators also took to social media to honor her memory, sharing recollections of the laughter she brought to their lives and the bonds they formed through shared creative work. In videos that circulated after the news of her death became public, close friend Chidera Madu recounted the timeline of Thomas’s pain and hospitalization, emphasizing the shock that followed the operation and her family’s deep grief. Though there has been speculation and concern among some online about the health care she received, no official investigation or medical findings have been released publicly to clarify the precise cause of complications.

Thomas’s death has also drawn broader reflection from followers and commentators about the fragility of life and the power of digital communities. In an age where many creators share their lives with followers in real time, her passing underscored just how intimately audiences can feel connected to someone they have never met in person. Fans used her final posts as a space to express disbelief, sorrow and gratitude, the gratitude of having been touched by her humor and spirit during her years creating content.

The tragedy of her passing also highlights a human side that often exists behind influencer personas: the vulnerable realities of health and mortality that lie beneath public images and staged moments. For many of her followers, the loss of Sunshine served as a reminder that creators are real people whose lives extend far beyond their videos and online presence. Messages of condolence reached not only her family but also fellow content creators at home and abroad, illustrating how her influence was woven into a larger tapestry of online relationships and friendships.

As her family continues to organize funeral arrangements and respond to the influx of tributes in her honor, her legacy remains tied to the joy she shared through her work. Followers continue to revisit her content, celebrating her talent for humor and the light-hearted connections she fostered between herself and a global audience. While the circumstances of her death were sudden and her age tragically young, Esther Thomas’s impact lives on through the smiles and laughter she inspired.