Grand Theft Auto fan passes away after hoping to make it to GTA 6's launch

One Grand Theft Auto fan has sadly passed away, after sharing that they’d hoped to make it to Grand Theft Auto VI’s launch.

Jerry Fort first rose to prominence in August of this year, bringing attention to his battle with interstitial lung disease.

The 25-year-old posted a message from a hospital bed expressing his desire to both share his music with the world and play GTA VI.

In that original video, Fort explained that he’d be staying in an intensive care unit until he was able to get a lung transplant.

That’s because Fort’s lungs were uniquely attached to his chest wall. The surgery would have seen Fort’s lungs separated from the chest wall and then replaced by a donor’s, with Fort describing the surgery as “very bloody” and “very dangerous”.

He captioned the original video: “I just want to play GTA VI.”

Fort’s condition worsened as fellow fans donated to help cover transplant costs

The video quickly went viral. A GoFundMe campaign had been established by Fort’s mother which quickly surpassed its $15,000 target.

Fellow GTA fans rallied behind Fort, with the GoFundMe surpassing $96,000 in donations, although this came as Fort’s health continued to deteriorate.

In a follow up video, also posted in August, Fort shared that he “didn’t expect that much love”.

“If we make it out on the other side of this thing, I will be streaming GTA VI, whenever that drops, I will be streaming that, you know, that’s gonna be our goal as a community,” he said.

Sadly, Fort’s sister has now posted a video confirming that he passed away on October 29.

“He fought very hard,” she said, explaining that Fort had developed a lung infection. On October 28, Fort told his family that he was done fighting.

Fort’s sister relayed that by October 29 he’d passed away. She described her brother as “at peace”.

Fort’s relatives have shared their thanks to all of those who donated and who helped Fort feel like his dreams of being seen and sharing his music were coming true.

Gamers now hoping to see Rockstar Games add a small tribute to Fort

Fellow GTA fans are now calling on Rockstar Games to add a tribute to Fort into GTA VI, with many also simply sharing their condolences.

“The first cruise around Leonida is for him, and everyone else who didn't make it. A lot of good people who were excited for not just this game, but life, taken too soon. Thoughts and prayers to the family,” said A2ZJIRWINKO in response to a tweet from GTAVI_Countdown.

“Add a tribute to this man,” added snotexe. “Get in contact with his loved ones and add a referance to him so he’ll be immortalised.”

GAMINGbible extends its condolences to Fort’s family and friends at this difficult time.