‘I will finally be out of pain’: TikTok star Dominique McShain passes away after sharing cancer journey

New Zealand influencer Dominique McShain died at the age of 21 after battling incurable colorectal cancer for just over a year. She was diagnosed in April 2024. McShain had gained a following of more than 200,000 people on TikTok and Instagram, where she openly shared her experience with cancer.

She hoped her story would raise awareness and help others going through similar struggles. Per People, McShain first learned she had incurable colorectal cancer in April 2024. By then, the cancer had already spread to her liver, and doctors told her she had between one and five years to live. The diagnosis came as a shock and forced her to put her life on hold.

In early April 2025, McShain posted her final update about her condition. In a heartfelt Instagram post, she wrote, “I want to be honest with all of you: this will be my last update before I pass away.” She explained that her liver was failing quickly and her cancer was getting worse. Doctors had told her she only had days or weeks left, and she had moved into end-of-life care to focus on staying comfortable.

TikTok star Dominique McShain has passed away

Even in this final message, McShain was thankful for her life and the people in it. She wrote about her family’s endless love, the constant support of her friends, and the deep love and care of her husband, Sean, who she called her rock. She looked back on her life, remembering the typical milestones of her teenage years and the adult experiences she was grateful for, like getting married and adopting a dog with Sean. She also acknowledged the things she would never get to do.

Though she was sad, she said she had come to accept her situation and found peace, believing there was something beyond this life waiting for her. Her last words showed her strength and kindness: “Even though it will be hard to leave you all behind, please know that I will finally be free from pain and at peace. Never forget how much I love you and how thankful I am for every one of you in my life.”

When diagnosed, she had been studying psychology and dreamed of working in clinical psychology. However, she had to leave school and quit her part-time job in human resources because of her treatment. Instead of giving up, she chose to use her experience to help others.

In May 2024, McShain started posting on TikTok about her diagnosis and how it changed her life. She talked honestly about her symptoms, the difficult side effects of chemotherapy, and the days when she felt especially unwell.

She explained that she wanted to leave a meaningful legacy and bring attention to the rising number of young people being diagnosed with colon cancer. Her openness and sincerity touched many people, and her audience grew quickly.

Even as her health declined, McShain tried to enjoy life as much as possible. In July 2024, she married her partner, Sean Suson. She later spoke about this in a TikTok video in January 2025, saying that getting married so young and so soon after her diagnosis was a way to experience something normal despite her terminal illness.

She shared that her illness had taken away her chance to grow old or have children, so she wanted to create happy memories while she still could. Her wedding and honeymoon in Thailand became precious moments during her fight with cancer.

McShain’s death was confirmed on April 23, 2025, though the exact date was not shared publicly. By sharing her personal and painful journey, her bravery in the face of hardship, and her positive attitude, she inspired countless people. Dominique McShain’s legacy is not just her social media presence but also the lives she changed through her honesty and her efforts to raise awareness about colorectal cancer in young adults.