Joshua Fay Saunders – aka Gothic King Cobra - age 34 of Casper, WY suffered a heart attack and died in his sleep on August 21, 2025.
Josh was born on March 26, 1991, in Casper, WY. Josh grew up in Casper, WY, Miles City, MT, Grand Forks, ND, South Lake Tahoe, CA, Valley City, ND, and moved back to Casper, WY as a senior in high school where he lived the remainder of his life.
Josh is survived by his parents, Clint and Tanis Saunders of Casper, as well as his sisters, aunts, cousins, grandparents, a great-grandmother, and several great aunts and uncles. Sadly, Josh’s online world has some really horrible people in it, so the family names have been withheld for the sake of their privacy and safety.
Josh loved older people and animals, and he had a way with both. One of Josh’s best friends was senior citizen who Josh loved visiting and having long conversations with. This is likely due to the relationships he had with his grandparents and great grandparents.
Josh was very fortunate growing up to have, not only his grandparents in his life, but also his great grandparents. At the age of 21, 6 out of 8 of his great grandparents were still living, and one of his great grandmas is still alive today. Through reunions, holidays, and visits filled with games and laughter, Josh had a relationship with each of his grandparents and great-grandparents, and he loved them all dearly. As they all continued to get older, Josh would often tear up and cry on his dad’s shoulder when talking about his fear of losing them.
Josh was a unique soul who lived in his own world—on his own terms. His eccentric personality often made him a target for bullies. Despite being the target of relentless bullying, every single day of his life starting at the age of 5, Josh stayed strong and was always true to himself.
Josh started a YouTube channel when he was a teenager and the channel continued to grow and grow until he was known all over the world. A fellow YouTuber once told his dad that even though Josh ‘only’ had around 100,000 subscribers, his online reach was in the millions. On Josh’s YouTube channel and Facebook, Josh was always unapologetically himself and shared himself with the world without a filter and without fear of judgement. His dad often told Josh, “I’ve never met another person with the bravery to be so vulnerable, and I probably never will.”
Josh was extremely (if sometimes accidentally) funny. From the time he was a child, he loved to make people laugh. That continued into his adult life. Josh’s sense of humor and vulnerability were two characteristics that made him so popular online.
Thousands of tributes dedicated to Josh have appeared online. They have provided an enormous amount of comfort to Josh’s family who would like to thank everyone who took the time to express their condolences. These tributes also speak to the unique impact Josh had on the world.
Here is one of those tributes. Thank you, Emma, for this beautiful poem, it truly touched our hearts.
For KingCobraJFS — A Tributeby Emma Jayne Flora, a fellow outsider who saw the spark
I found you in the silence of lockdown nights,A voice rough with gravel, singing Ozzy in flickering light.Not polished. Not clean. But realer than most—A gothic soul, a wand-maker, Casper’s ghost.
You rode your bike through town like a spell on wheels,No script, no mask, just truth that heals.And something stirred in me—quiet but loud:A sense that being different could still make you proud.
We were born in the same year,But you lived without fear.While I wore a mask to be liked,You wore leather and eyeliner like armor in the fight.
They laughed at you—but I never did.Because behind your pain, I saw the kidWho was bullied too young and treated without care,Just like me, gasping for breath in stale, heavy air.
You were raw. You were broken. You were brave.And though the world didn’t know how to behave—You stayed you. With your tactical soap and steel resolve,A reminder that I didn’t need to dissolve.
So thank you, Josh, for being the goth wizard of truth,For holding the line since our youth.You’ll never know how much it meant—But your impact was real. Your time was well-spent.
I just wish I could say this while you were still near:That you helped me come back to myself, crystal clear.So wherever you ride now—through mist, through stars—Know you left behind more than battle scars.
Rest easy, King.Your magic lives on in the songs we sing.
Stay strong, stay weird, and never stop being unapologetically you, even in death. We'll meet at Cobra's Cantina, and we'll have a drink with Ozzy.
That’s what’s up.
Josh will be missed beyond what words can express, he was the most unique and brave person I knew. I was proud to be his dad and told him that often.
Because Josh spent so much time in the online world and had so many online fans, we will be doing a live event on his YouTube channel for a celebration of life.
The online celebration of life for Josh will be on Sunday, September 21st at 7:00pm Mountain Daylight Time. This is during the Fall Solstice. We feel that the Solstice is a perfect time to celebrate Josh and send him off. Please join us on Josh’s YouTube page at the link below and have a drink combo ready to toast Josh at the end. https://www.youtube.com/@KingCobraJFS/featured
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to any of the following: The Casper Humane Society - Josh loved animals and several of his/our dogs came from there. Any trusted autism research organization except Autism Speaks. The family strongly discourages donating to that organization; they feel they are not a trusted organization.
To share a memory of Joshua or leave a special message for the family, please visit the guestbook below.
Online on Josh's YouTube Page - https://www.youtube.com/@KingCobraJFS/featured
I've been following you for years. I'll miss watching you. Rest in peace.
From Sweden
Aug 30, 2025
With love all the way from Australia Cobes. Miss you.
Caitlin
Aug 30, 2025
Josh, I think you thought I was a troll. But I am a huge fan and always will be. You matter so much. We all miss you more than you'd ever know.
Another Cobro
Aug 30, 2025
Thank you Josh and you are always missed 🙏 You inspire me to be myself more. You've made me laugh more times than I can count, seriously. Keep playing guitar on the other side, see you in heaven legend
Kate from Aus
Aug 30, 2025
I wish we had said all the kind words while he was here, so that he could truly see the impact he had on the world. He will never be replaced, and always be missed. Forever a legend.
Mark Lawrence
Aug 30, 2025
Josh was a unique person who brought laughter and joy to so many people all over the world. He was unapologetically himself always and that's a rare thing to see. I only hope he knew how many of us looked forward to him brightening our day with his jokes and personality. It's strange to mourn for someone you've never met, yet it doesn't make the pain any less real. I know he's jamming with ozzy in his clock tower dream house, I hope he knows how much we miss him. Rest in peace King.
Kelsey
Aug 30, 2025
I'll remember this man forever, I'll be an old man and say one of his quotes and all the memories will come flooding back. TWU
Martin
Aug 30, 2025
We never met in person, but your videos always brought me and my fiancee joy. To her chagrin I've taken to using some popular phrases (that's what's up in particular). I hope that now you are at rest and at peace. Thank you for always being true to yourself.
Elz
Aug 30, 2025
RIP bro See you on the other side
Toobs
Aug 30, 2025
Rest in power King
Xyzzy
Aug 30, 2025
Thank you for being yourself and bringing us years of entertainment. An eccentric soul, like no other, a wonderful addition to the world. You eill be missed for eternity. See you on the other side. Forever King Cobra. TMDWU. Rest in peace!!! I'll miss you!
DC
Aug 30, 2025
I love this photo it shows the love and bond between a father and his son Cobes please watch over your family you matter always will your smile could brighten the darkest rooms cheers to you and Ozzy
Cobro
Aug 30, 2025
rip josh. gone from our realm, thriving in another. legends never die TWU
anonymous
Aug 30, 2025
You mattered, Josh. You still do.
Anonymous
Aug 30, 2025
Rest in peace josh, we'll miss you.
From Brazil
Aug 30, 2025
You were such a pleasure to watch and read. I added you on Facebook over 12 years ago. I remember your basement days and misadventures in Job Corps. that’s how long I’ve been a fan. There’s not much more I think I can say other than there’s a cobra shaped hole in everyone’s heart. That’s the thing of it.
Luis
Aug 30, 2025
We miss you Cobra. The world is less exciting without you in it. Thank you for bringing so much light into so many lives. Rock on brother.
Fan from West Virginia
Aug 30, 2025
R.i.p. king. You will be missed. See you on the other side.
Daniel Sandlin
Aug 30, 2025
you are dearly missed Cobra.. Josh. i think about you every day. RIP
Jocelyn Schaeffer
Aug 30, 2025
Josh was a very funny individual who I would watch from time to time. May he be at peace now in his Clock Tower in the sky. Rest easy my friend.
Vampire Mike from Sega CD Universe
Aug 30, 2025
Josh turned so many bad days and nights around for me with his videos. The world is noticeably emptier but his presence is still felt. Glad he’s a little less misunderstood on his way out than he was in this world. Keep on rockin bud
Twu
Aug 30, 2025
Josh truly had a unique flare to his content, his unintentional comedic timing and his rants at times did get a laugh although you could still see the bright eager soul he has, I never thought I would be missing someone so hard I never met nor they never knewn I existed, Josh mattered to me, he was to me what Ozzy was to him, I would imagine Josh would say some cuss words and tell me to shut up probably call me a Troll which in typical fashion I will miss too, Josh brought new phrases into my daily life and I will smile a little when I say "That's What's Up" it's only a part of a massive legacy he leaves behind. To Clint and the family I hope you are all well and have the support you need during this time of struggle and loss. Keep rockin' Josh From a British fan
Kieran
Aug 30, 2025
Thank you for the laughs over the past 15 years, you will never be forgotten. Truly a one of a kind soul and I wish the World was kinder to you. RIP my friend
TWU
Aug 30, 2025
Anonymous
Aug 30, 2025
King cobra was a truly unique soul and I’m going to miss him. Through good and bad times I could always turn to his YouTube channel and see what crazy food hacks and drink combos he made and just forget the world. He was unapologetically himself. Always. Circle of protection to his family and friends. F sickos and the trolls. Long live Josh ❤️
Krystal M
Aug 30, 2025
Thanks for the years of entertainment Josh. You meant a lot more to us than you, or even we, could ever realize.
Target
Aug 30, 2025
Thank you for the memories that you have given me for the past 14 years. It was honestly a shock when I learned Josh had passed on, it felt like he would last forever. Rock on into the afterlife. man.
Nikoran
Aug 30, 2025
Been introverted all my life, so I don’t have many friends. I’ve been watching Josh’s content since 2016, hearing of his passing was hard for me, truly felt like I lost one of my best friends. Not many YouTubers have engulfed my life like he did. Rest in peace buddy, I hope you are rocking with Ozzy in heaven.
LongLiveCobrasMagicTWU
Aug 30, 2025
Joshua
Aug 30, 2025
Josh, hope that the clock tower dream house is everything you wanted. I got a tattoo of you a month before you left. Just thought family might enjoy seeing how much some of us saw him as a friend.
Frederick W
Aug 30, 2025
Rest easy, Josh. Thank you for the endless hours of company watching you online always felt like watching a close friend and I am grieving you all the same. I see so much of myself in you, which may be a little bit odd to say, but I’m also a black sheep, and I admire how authenticity you lived. You did life on your own terms. I hope you were rocking with Ozzy and making him a drink combo or a food hack. I will never forget you.
Klk
Aug 30, 2025
You would make me laugh until my face hurts and stomach would be splitting. I love you bro
From Ottawa
Aug 30, 2025
Thanks for adding so much to this world while you are here, Josh. Can’t wait to meet you rocking out on the other side, one day. You were Most Definitely What Was Up. My deepest condolences to Josh’s family, dear friends, and collaborators - you all helped him become a legendary Internet Rock Star for all eternity.
Ryan Bates
Aug 30, 2025
I keep watching your videos, tributes to you, and reading so many comments everywhere from others as devastated as me that you’re gone. I didn’t want to believe it and I’ll never be able to accept how suddenly you were gone. You mattered. You always did. I’m just sorry that the cruel trolls were so much louder than your fans. Rest easy King Cobra. TWU xox
Always Mattered
Aug 30, 2025
My favorite person on the internet, and I've been on it a very long time. Sad to see you go, happy to have watched you since 2016. Sincerely, a gothic fangirl.
Chanel Morton
Aug 30, 2025
So long cobes thanks for the years of entertainment.
William R
Aug 30, 2025
Josh was amazing. I’m sorry for your loss and really all of our loss. He was great. He made me laugh many a time. Rest easy Josh.
Raven
Aug 30, 2025
Cobes, you brought so much joy into our house, I loved watching your food hacks and drink combos with my brother. Your energy was something completely unique to this world, and this world is truly a less crazy and interesting place without you in it. 🤘🤘🤘
J. S.
Aug 30, 2025
Josh, you are an inspiration and a rock star. Thank you for being yourself. 🖤
Viper Oniric
Aug 30, 2025
I will miss you for as long as I live Josh! You have been a part of my life for a decade and I've spent so many evenings being entertained by you, and I will keep watching and reminiscing because you left a legacy for us all on the internet. Through the bad times and the good, there was always KingcobraJFS. I'm sorry you never got to see how many people truly loved you and supported you, and I'm sorry the trolls made it hard to interact with the people who really cared. You left a big mark on the world Josh, more than most could hope to, as a musician, entertainer, a personality, and as a son. I will be feeling a bit of you in every cemetery I visit, pizza I eat, every time I say "that's what's up", every raven and thunderclap, every changing crosswalk light, and every one liner you dropped that I'll never be able to forget. I'm excited to share a drink with you one day when I join you in the stars. Praise cobras magic, TMDWU! Clint: I'm sorry for how the world treated your son. My thoughts are with you and your loved ones during these difficult times. It takes so much grace and strength to treat the community as transparently as you have after how some of them acted towards your family and your child. You are a good father, and I can't thank you enough for raising someone who made the world a brighter, more enjoyable place. He brought comfort and joy to so many people, across the entire globe. You were supportive and compassionate and did more for Josh than most fathers would for their children. I am so appreciative that you are allowing us the opportunity to share in the process of celebrating his life, even though it would be well within your right to shut us out. It means a lot to be allowed to say goodbye to him, so I will be raising a glass for both of you on the 21st.
C
Aug 30, 2025
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