YouTuber Andrew Cross built a large online community before his death at age 36.
Cross, known for his YouTube page Desert Drifter, suffered a traumatic brain injury during a car accident in January. On Tuesday, March 4, his family announced that the online star had been taken off life support after being hospitalized for over a month.
“Andrew’s spirit is free, surrounded by light & love 🤍,” Cross’ sister, Jenna Spooner, wrote via his CaringBridge fundraiser page. “He went to be with the Lord today, March 4 at 10:50 AM MST. It was peaceful and full of love in the room with [his wife] Evelyn by his side, his parents and close friends nearby.”
Spooner went on to write that “Andrew really lived life to the fullest, and his story & impact isn’t over yet.” She added, “It’s been wonderful to get to know him in new ways as we’ve seen photos and stories shared by so many. We look forward to more of that as we honor a life well lived.”
In his last Instagram post before his death, Cross shared a photo of himself standing in front of a picturesque desert canyon. “Desert Driftin’,” he captioned the August 2024 post.
Scroll down for 5 things to know about Cross:
1. When Did Andrew Cross Create His YouTube Channel?
Cross posted his first YouTube video, titled “What Is This? I Hiked To It And Found Out,” in November 2023. He gained thousands of followers in one year with his videos about “exploration and adventure with a historical twist,” per his page’s bio.
Cross’ most recent travel video was posted on January 17 and featured him exploring a canyon in the American Southwest with markings from ancient cultures. At the time of his death, Cross had over 474,000 followers.
On Instagram, Cross had been sharing photos of his outdoor adventures since 2016.
2. Was Andrew Cross Married?
Though Cross’ social media is mainly filled with travel photos, he shared brief glimpses into his relationship with his wife, Evelyn. “A month of adventures with this one ❤️,” he captioned Instagram pics of the couple in September 2020.
Evelyn became Cross’ travel partner before she became his life partner in June 2021. “We did a thing!” Cross captioned an Instagram snap from their wedding ceremony. “I wondered what it would feel like to get married. Although I can’t speak for everyone, for me I felt deep gratitude for all the good people God has put into my life, the many seasons of life He has brought me through, and the lovely woman I get to join together with. I have found the one whom my souls loves, and I rejoice 🙏.”
Cross shared his last Instagram pic of Evelyn in October 2023. “Who’s your favorite fall person? I got mine!” he wrote alongside a photo of his wife in front of a picturesque autumn backdrop.
3. When Was Andrew Cross’ Car Accident?
Evelyn took to her husband’s YouTube channel on February 2 to reveal that he had been in a “really bad accident” a few days prior and was “fighting for his life” in the ICU after sustaining a severe brain injury.
“This community has really, really meant a lot to him and to both of us over the last year, and I know that he would want all of you to know this,” she emotionally shared in the clip. “I think many of you know that we’re Christians, and so we really, really believe in the power of prayer and that God is gonna work through this tragedy.”
Evelyn concluded the clip by asking fans for their prayers and well-wishes and shared a link to their CaringBridge page. “Your prayers and support in this time really mean the world. We are just so grateful for all of you for watching his videos,” she stated. “It’s mind-blowing to us that you want to show up and watch them. So, we just thank you for everything thus far and we just continue to ask for your support in this time.”
4. Why Was Andrew Cross Taken Off Life Support?
In a Sunday, March 2, update on Cross’ CaringBridge page, Spooner revealed that their family had decided to take her brother off life support the following day. “Even in making this agonizing decision, we have not and will not stop asking for Andrew’s healing,” Spooner wrote. “The medical team has explained there’s no predictable timeline for how long someone will live once life support is removed — it could be minutes, days, or weeks. We’re praying it will be decades!”
5. What Happened During Andrew Cross’ Final Moments?
While announcing his death on Tuesday, Spooner shared insight into Cross’ final moments with his family. “Before removing Andrew from life support yesterday, they put him on a mobile ventilator and walked a loop around the whole ICU while all the available staff lined the hallway as a way to honor him,” she wrote on his CaringBridge page. “Then in the room, friends & family read scripture, prayed, and sang during the process of removing life support and for over an hour afterwards ❤️ It was peaceful and beautiful.”
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