Efecan Kultur, the beloved TikTok sensation best known for his mukbang videos, tragically passed away on March 7, 2025, at the tender age of 24. His untimely death was primarily attributed to complications related to obesity.
Reports from the New York Post indicate that Efecan had been hospitalized approximately three months prior to his passing due to his health complications. Furthermore, he had not been active on any of his social media accounts since October 15 of the previous year.
Kultur’s death occurred at his home, where he had been receiving treatment for some time. Following a heartfelt funeral service held at the Celaliye Mosque in Istanbul, he was laid to rest at the Silivri Gumusyaka Cemetery.
The news of Efecan Kultur’s passing has resonated deeply across various social media platforms, with fans and fellow influencers expressing their sorrow. Notably, Instagram personality Yasin Oyanik was among the first to announce this heartbreaking news, coming nearly a year after the death of Kultur’s mother. Efecan had been an advocate for the mukbang trend, which involves consuming large amounts of food while interacting with followers.
Understanding Efecan Kultur’s Health Struggles
Efecan amassed a significant following on TikTok, boasting around 156,000 followers, as reported by Turkiye Today. His popularity soared due to his engaging mukbang videos, which revolve around binge-eating experiences shared with his audience. However, this habit soon took a severe toll on his health.
Over time, Efecan’s passion for creating mukbang content led to increasingly serious health issues. Reports indicate that he struggled with mobility, suffered from severe breathing problems, and often had to remain confined to bed. According to The Sun, these challenges were exacerbated by persistent bruising, further limiting his physical capabilities.
The last video he uploaded to TikTok was on October 15, 2024. In this final appearance, he was seen consuming a large plate of canned grapes, mentioning his efforts to adhere to a specific dietary plan that required him to minimize his salt intake.
In January, popular Turkish streamer Testo Taylan visited Efecan. During their interaction, which has since been translated into English, Efecan revealed some of his struggles, explaining how an illness he suffered led to severe consequences for his health.
“I caught a cold in my kidneys. When I caught a cold in my kidneys, the doctor gave me antibiotics. I went to the toilet eight times a day with water after that and so on. The fluid in the muscles in my feet decreased,”he shared.
In addition to the physical challenges, Efecan divulged that financial issues added to his burdens. He indicated that he had exhausted his savings on physical therapy, which was vital for his recovery, as TikTok was his only source of income.
Beyond his health challenges, Efecan also faced significant personal loss, having lost both his mother and father, the latter passing away about eight years ago. His family has yet to release an official statement regarding his death.
Tragically, Efecan Kultur’s case is not isolated. Previous incidents involving influencers, such as Pan Xiaoting, who died in July 2024 due to mukbang-related complications, highlight ongoing health risks associated with this trend. Likewise, Taylor Brice LeJeune, another TikTok personality, passed away two years ago reportedly from a heart attack linked to unhealthy eating habits.