Rebecca Luna, the TikTok creator who openly documented her experience living with young-onset Alzheimer's disease, has died at the age of 49. Luna, from Victoria, Canada, chose to end her life through medical aid in dying on July 25, 2026, informing her viewers of her decision in a poignant farewell TikTok video days prior.
A Decision Made with Autonomy
Luna explained to her followers that she moved her planned death date up from early August, noting that the disease was advancing quickly and she wanted to maintain autonomy over her future. She was surrounded by her loved ones, including her eldest daughter, Maya. This comes months after it was revealed a child under 12 passed away via assisted dying in the Netherlands.
Diagnosis and Rapid Decline
Luna was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's in 2025 at the age of 48. This form of the disease develops in people under the age of 65, often impacting individuals when they are in their 40s or 50s. According to the Alzheimer's Association, approximately 200,000 Americans under age 65 have young-onset Alzheimer's. Luna chose to document her journey with the disease, raising awareness of the condition to her 95,000 followers.
She described how she lived a fast-paced life before her diagnosis but noticed she was suddenly becoming confused at work, saying she would sit at her desk and have no idea what she was doing. Luna also experienced safety lapses, such as leaving her stove turned on, and faced severe forgetfulness, as well as impaired executive function.
Deterioration Faster Than Expected
After having her diagnosis confirmed with medical testing, Luna explained that doctors estimated she would have roughly five to seven more years before her cognitive abilities would decline dramatically. However, her condition deteriorated much faster than the medical team predicted, and by July 2026, Luna stated that the disease had already taken so much
from her.
As part of her final words in her farewell video, she described living in a body that doesn't feel comfortable, safe, good, nothing,
which led her to move up her scheduled assisted dying date.
Family Statement and Legacy
Luna's family shared a statement about her death on her TikTok page, reading: Rebecca passed away July 25th at approximately 1:15 p.m. surrounded by her loved ones. Thank you for your support and privacy.
Her videos have sparked conversations about the realities of young-onset Alzheimer's and the option of medical aid in dying, which is legal in Canada under the Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) framework since 2016.
Luna's journey has touched many, highlighting the importance of early detection and patient autonomy. Her advocacy continues to resonate with thousands who followed her story.
