.“Ink Master” star Ryan Hadley has died after a battle with cancer. He was 46.
“Ryan left this world last night surrounded by loved ones,” his family announced via his Instagram page Friday.
“While his life was cut short, in that time he left a legacy behind in both the art and tattoo world.”
Hadley’s loved ones said he adored “his many fans, his friends and clients, and most of all his children.”
“He’ll be missed and always remembered. A legend forever,” they concluded, adding the hashtags “rip” and “f–k cancer.”
Accompanying the announcement was a black-and-white photo of Hadley tattooing someone’s arm — with a big smile on his face.
The words “Forever a Legend RIP” were written across the image.
Members of the tattoo community were among those mourning in the comments section.
“Our condolences, Ryan was such an amazing friend, Artist and Father! He will be greatly missed!! ,” Durb Morrison lamented, as Freddy Negrete remarked, “Wow what a loss to us all, my deepest condolences .”
Ryan Henry added, “Condolences to the good brother Ryan .”
Ryan Hadley revealed in December 2023 that he had been diagnosed with seminoma (a malignant germ cell tumor) “that came from testicular cancer” and asked for financial support via a GoFundMe.
“I am now hospitalized to doing the chemotherapy way earlier than I anticipated,” he told his Instagram followers at the time.
“The last time I went through with this it nearly killed me and scared the hell outta me. I have no other option but to do the chemotherapy and to make sure I do not get sick while going through the cycles of chemotherapy this time around.”
He later added, “I’m here and not giving up not now not ever. I’m not ready to leave this earth yet without giving my precious loved ones a good life before leaving this body.”
Hadley’s GoFundMe explained that he was “unable to work” while receiving “aggressive treatment” for the disease,
“Ryan owns a tattoo & art gallery in Indiana, and cares for his boys all under 12,” the fundraiser page read.
“This GoFundMe is to help Ryan pay his bills and provide food for his family while he’s undergoing treatment.”
His family asked for end-of-life donations just a few days ago.
Hadley was a contestant on “Ink Master” Season 6 and known for his realism tattoos.