Vanessa Barrett, Trans HIV Advocate and TikTok Star, Has Died

Vanessa Vincenzo Barrett, a popular content creator and TikToker, has passed away suddenly.

The TikToker, who has over 70,000 followers, was an active member of the CAN Community, a nonprofit promoting HIV testing, health care, and STI education. As an advocate for the trans community, much of her content was geared toward the LGBTQ+ communities, with advice on how individuals can stay HIV- and STI-free.

Barrett was extremely active on her TikTok and Instagram, and after a few days of silence, the CAN Community Health Twitter account tweeted out their condolences to friends and family.

“She believed in our mission with her whole heart and equally loved each member of our Phoenix prevention team,” they wrote in the tweet. “Vanessa will be deeply missed by all of us.”

As of now, no cause of death is known for the star, and many have flooded her comments with support and grief as her fans are blindsided by her death and will miss her humor, advice, and messages of inclusion. Her Instagram bio displayed her love for singing and her involvement as a brand ambassador for the CAN Community, of whom all of her videos were in collaboration with.

The CAN Community is a nonprofit whose mission is to “inspire and contribute to the health and well-being of those affected by HIV, Hepatitis C, and other sexually transmitted diseases by providing the best care through outreach, integrated clinical practice, advocacy, education, and research.”

Barrett remained active on her social media platforms up until three days prior to her death.