Grant Thompson often performed daring experiments in his videos. Photo / YouTube
Grant Thompson often performed daring experiments in his videos. Photo / YouTube
A YouTuber — known as the "King of Random" for his often daring on-screen experiments — has been found dead after he failed to return from a trip in Utah on Monday.
Grant Thompson, 38, had built up a following of more than 11 million subscribers on YouTube and almost2.5 billion views.
His videos included wacky life hacks and experiments with titles like "What does Liquid Nitrogen do to Your Face?"
The Canadian-born American had gone out to Sand Hollow State Park in Utah but never returned — sparking a massive search for his body, news.com.au reported.
However, authorities were able to use GPS data to track Mr Thompson, who had only started paragliding about five months earlier.
They tragically found his body along with paragliding equipment at the crash site.
Before becoming a YouTuber, Mr Thompson was a pilot for more than a decade. He then went into real estate before becoming "semi-retired" and starting his YouTube channel.
"I started making videos on YouTube showing people what I was tinkering with and what I was coming up with," he said in an interview with MediaKix in 2017.
Some of his most successful videos include "How to Make LEGO Gummy Candy!" and "How To Make Magic Mud — From a Potato!"
His death was officially announced on his Instagram page, with a post that called on his fans to "do a random act of love or kindness today in honour of The King of Random".
The statement read: "It is with great sadness to inform everyone that Grant Thompson passed away last night.
"Grant had great love and appreciation for his fans.
"We invite you to share your thoughts for Grant and the channel in the comments.
"Please do a random act of love or kindness today in honour of 'The King of Random'.
"Grant's legacy will live on in the channel and the global community he created."
A YouTube spokesman said: "We're deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss of Grant Thompson, a gifted, passionate and endlessly curious creator.
"We send our deepest condolences to his loving family, The King of Random team and fans."
Fellow YouTube star Logan Paul wrote on Twitter: "stunned & heartbroken. a man full of vibrancy, curiosity, and passion. we'd talk back and forth about the ins & outs & of the internet, mental health, and creative strategy. RIP brother. @thekingofrandom".
