Gina Heslop
Paul Harrell, a well-known gun expert on YouTube, tragically passed away at the age of 58.
Before his death, Harrell shared a deeply personal video with his more than 1.14 million subscribers. In this final video, which was posted by his family after he died, Harrell revealed that he had been battling Stage 2 pancreatic cancer. His health had deteriorated quickly, and despite the early detection of the cancer, it spread faster than expected.
In the video, Harrell explained that he had recorded the message on December 20, 2023, knowing that he would not have much time left. Sitting on a log in the forest, the same spot where he had previously told his followers about his diagnosis, he calmly told his audience, “If you’re watching me, I’m dead.”
He apologized to his fans, saying he felt like he had let them down because he had hoped to continue creating content for many more years. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to run his channel and stated that he had very few regrets about his career.
Harrell’s final days were filled with family and close friends, who spent as much time with him as possible. His brother, Roy, had been managing the channel since Paul’s diagnosis in July 2023.
Roy shared the sad news of his brother’s worsening health in a video posted on Monday, which included clips of Harrell enjoying time at the shooting range. The video showed Harrell sitting in a camping chair next to a table full of handguns and ammunition. He took part in the activity he loved—shooting at targets, both small and large, alongside his brother.
In the video, Roy hinted that Harrell’s time was running short but promised that the channel would continue even after Paul’s passing. He explained that they were planning to rebrand the channel, possibly renaming it to “Paul and Roy Harrell,” to reflect their teamwork and honor Paul’s legacy. Roy expressed his commitment to maintaining the quality and style of the content that Paul had built.
Paul admitted that the spread of cancer to his bones caused his hip to break, leading to the use of crutches. Even though his health had declined, he remained positive, expressing that he was “thrilled” with what he had achieved through his channel.
Harrell’s content focused on firearms safety, ammunition, and accurate shooting techniques, offering practical and reliable information for gun enthusiasts and regular citizens alike. His fans were devastated by the loss, but his legacy will live on through the channel, thanks to his brother’s dedication to continuing their shared passion.
