Bergamo – Thiago Elar, a 27-year-old transgender content creator and mental health advocate from Bergamo, Italy, has died of natural causes, leaving behind a deeply moved community of followers and supporters. Elar passed away in Treviglio on Wednesday, July 21, 2025, as confirmed by sources close to the family and later reported on social media. His funeral will take place on Wednesday, July 23, at the Church of Osio Sotto, where he resided.
Widely known for his candid and heartfelt TikTok videos, Thiago Elar used his platform not for entertainment alone, but to break taboos surrounding mental health, eating disorders, and the realities of being a young transgender man in Italy. His digital presence wasn’t built on virality or trends, but on honesty. Through hundreds of posts, he invited his audience into his struggles, shared his time spent in psychiatric care, and spoke openly about body image issues, emotional pain, and the complicated dynamics within his own family.
The tragic news of his death was first circulated by followers and fellow TikTok users who had come to know him virtually and had supported his journey. Many of them had been following his recent updates — including his final post just one day before his death, in which he mentioned an upcoming appointment with medical professionals. That would be his last update to the thousands who saw his presence as both courageous and comforting.
Born in Bergamo and living in Osio Sotto at the time of his passing, Elar’s openness about his gender identity, coupled with his willingness to document the raw and often painful realities of psychiatric treatment, made him a symbol of vulnerability and resilience. As someone navigating the intersection of mental health and gender dysphoria, Thiago gave language and visibility to many who felt unseen.
His death sparked an emotional wave across Italian social media, with TikTokers, influencers, and mental health advocates sharing tributes and grief-stricken messages. On IlCommiato.it, an online memorial notice quickly garnered heartfelt messages: “Rest in peace, Thiago,” wrote one user. “I hope you’ve finally found the peace that this world didn’t offer you.” Others expressed sadness that his chosen name and identity were not always respected — a painful reminder of the everyday struggles faced by trans individuals.
One message poignantly read, “Buon viaggio Thiago… now you are free.” That sentiment has become a recurring theme across posts calling for participation at his funeral, to honor both the man he was and the community he represented.
The outpouring of grief highlights not only the personal loss of a young man, but the symbolic loss of a voice that brought light to dark corners of public discourse. Elar’s legacy continues to stir conversations about inclusive mental healthcare, family support for LGBTQ+ individuals, and the importance of respecting identity in life and in death.
While investigations confirm that Elar died of natural causes, the broader context of his story underscores the urgency of better systems of support — online and offline — for young people in crisis.
Thiago Elar may have left this world too soon, but the impact he made in 27 short years remains lasting. In the comments, in the reposts, in the silence after his last video — the echo of his voice endures.
