A popular teenage TikTok star who rose to relative fame after sharing her daily life as a farm worker has taken her own life after posting a haunting video on her channel.
Caitlyn Loane, 19, was a fourth-generation farmer who had amassed tens of thousands of fans on the popular social media app.
Shortly before her death in June 2021, Caitlyn shared an upbeat video with her followers in which she lip-synced an American country song to the lyrics “How far would you go for the girl of your dreams?” along with a series of photos of her working on the farm.
The caption for the video read: “How about Tasmania? “.
@catieloane♬ original sound – Catie Loane
According to tragic reports, Caitlyn died by suicide days later, leaving her family devastated.
“She was a lovely, crazy young woman who was an invaluable member of our family,” her grieving father told Mercury.
Her mother Richele, meanwhile, said Caitlyn has become an inspiration to female farm workers around the world.
“Her smile lit up the room,” her mother said.
“She wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty – in some pictures she’s got mud up to her knees.”
@catieloane Who’s driving to Tasmania #womeninag ♬ original sound – hunter paige
Following news of her passing, tributes poured in on Caitlyn’s TikTok channel. The farmer, who worked on her family’s 600-hectare estate as a cattle manager, was known for her passion for cattle.
“Rest in peace my beautiful,” wrote one commenter. “You are an inspiration to many.”
Another said: “We will miss you. »
Just a month before her death, Caitlyn had the opportunity to judge cattle at Agfest Tasmania, described on her website as “a truly unique opportunity for companies to showcase their quality products, people, brand and their services to an ever-growing audience. »
Caitlyn said at the time: “In 2018 I realized that school wasn’t giving me the skills and experience I needed, so I applied to Sunday Creek Cattle Station in the Northern Territory, so you can gain experience and learn more.
“Over there, the properties are huge and the gatherings are done by helicopter and on horseback.
“It built my character and I had to adopt a great work ethic that I apply to my own business here at home. »
@catieloane Day in the life – Sunday Edition #lambmarking ♬ Drunk Driving – Warren Zeiders
Rest in peace, Caitlyn, we hope you are at peace now.
Never forget that mental health rarely has a face that can be properly seen from the outside. You just never know what a person is going through.
Please share this article to tell Caitlyn her rest in peace and to show your support for the mental health learning and research effort.
