‘Rest in Peace Captain Corey’: 11-year-old boy who granted Johnny Depp’s last wish dies

A young blogger from Ripley, Derbyshire, UK, has died. Cory Stowell was born with a heart defect, diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, which means the left side of the organ was underdeveloped.

Surgeons transplanted Corey with a new heart in 2018, but the organ was rejected. In January 2020, he underwent a second transplant. However, after the traumatic and painful procedure, the child’s organism did not accept the heart again. The family and the medical board made the difficult decision not to subject him to the trial of a third heart transplant. Corey was in palliative care. The boy died at home in his mother Pixie’s arms.

“We are incredibly devastated by this loss. I would like to thank everyone who supported Corey and followed his journey. Sometimes he was unhappy, sometimes overjoyed because of what was happening in his life. And we ask that people don’t forget him now he’s embarked on his biggest adventure yet,” Ms Stowell said.

During his illness, the boy opened a YouTube channel and expressed the hope that 100,000 people would subscribe to it. His wish came true – the audience reached more than 200,000 users. Pixie gave an emotional thank you to everyone who supported Corey all this time.

“I’m next to him right now. He left peacefully. Now he’s in his bed and I’m in his bedroom. His captain’s cap rests next to his bed and a pirate flag flies above him. I would like to ask you to continue subscribing to Corey’s channel, watching his videos, because I am not going to close it down. Thanks to all the people who tried to make Corey’s wish come true while he was here. I don’t know what to do – it was my little boy, “said the woman with tears.

The boy was a fan of the Pirates of the Caribbean saga. His last wish was to speak to his idol Johnny Depp, who played Captain Jack Sparrow. Last December, the actor responded to the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s offer and made an emotional video for a terminally ill fan. He also subscribed to the boy’s channel, in addition to Johnny, Corey’s subscribers include Hollywood actor and wrestler Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, according to the BBC.

Ripley authorities paid tribute to the boy. Last year, he was entrusted with lighting the Christmas lights in the city. “Corey was a very special member of our community. Our thoughts go out to his wonderful family, friends and staff at Ripley St. John’s during this sad time. Corey’s story of his heart transplant journey has spread worldwide with the help of American movie star Johnny Depp. Corey has many fans not only in our community but around the world who will miss him. Rest in peace Captain Corey,” the message read.

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