Cosplay influencer Daraya Koedjoe has died unexpectedly at the age of 26, according to an Instagram post shared by her friends and fellow creators.
"With a broken heart, we regret to inform you about the untimely passing of our dear friend, cosplay enthusiast, and beloved community member Daraya Koedjoe AKA Darayacos," the statement read. "Her bubbly personality and cheerful smile would light up every room she walked into."
The tribute highlighted Koedjoe's contributions to creative communities and her "strong sense of justice," adding that her "remarkable generosity and artistic excellence" left a lasting legacy.
Koedjoe, who was a regular at cosplay events including Comic Cons in London and The Netherlands, garnered a significant following for her creations. Her final social media post on October 3 detailed her costume for Heroes Dutch Comic Con.
Following the announcement, many followers shared messages of condolence in the comments of her last post, remembering her as a "beautiful wonderful soul" and a "star shining the brightest."
Friends have established a GoFundMe page to cover funeral and memorial expenses, stating that Koedjoe died "unexpectedly" and that "we are devastated and will miss her dearly."
The page also noted her work as a social worker at Stichting Leergeld, a nonprofit that assists children from families facing financial difficulties. Koedjoe provided "children in vulnerable home situations with the funds and support to live normal lives," reflecting her desire to help and her belief in the beauty and kindness of others.
As of this report, the GoFundMe has raised approximately $10,300 of its $14,500 goal.