TikTok’s Bella Brave dies at age 10, mother shares heartbreaking update

Bella Thomson – known in her online community as Bella Brave – has died. She was 10 years old.

The social media star passed away “peacefully” on Sunday, July 14, her mother Kyla Thomson confirmed in a heartbreaking update posted on TikTok on July 15.

“Our brave girl left her legacy here on Earth to dance the streets of gold on July 14, 2024 at 4:19pm ET,” Kyla wrote alongside a video showing her dancing daughter.

“Bella died peacefully in our arms,” ​​she continued. “Please keep her name on your lips, her memory and her courage in your hearts. Please share with us every detail of how she touched your life or gave you courage.”

“Bella wants you to remember: God is love. Be brave and you are never too old to bring a stuffed animal. 🧸 #bellabrave,” the message concluded.

In a statement to PEOPLE, Kyla reiterated her hope that Bella’s followers will continue to share how the 10-year-old’s journey has touched their lives.

“Everything is hard without her,” Kyla says. “Please help me tell the world that they need to tell us how Bella has touched and helped their lives and how she lives on in their hearts and lives.”

She continues, “Never stop sharing her love and light. Never let her memory fade. Continue to be brave, stay closer to God and love one another deeply, for her. Even though she is still little, she is fierce.”

Bella went viral on social media after showing off her vibrant personality while her parents Kyla and Lyle documented her life-threatening health issues, which included the rare intestinal disorder Hirschsprung’s disease and severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), among others.

Bella’s death came just days after the 10-year-old was placed in an induced coma after suffering complications from a viral infection in her lungs, Kyla told PEOPLE on July 11.

“We are, of course, devastated for Bella. Her colon transplant last August was supposed to be the last medical trauma she ever had to endure,” Kyla said. “We are not out of the woods yet.”

“She has recovered faster than any other child with an intestinal transplant and is finally able to avoid hospital stays,” she added.

In a clip posted to TikTok on July 11, Kyla said in an update that Bella “remained stable with no improvement in her condition” during her treatment at SickKids Hospital in Toronto.

On Sunday, July 14, Kyla shared in another update on Instagram that Bella is “still with us and still fighting,” but added, “I don’t know which way it’s going to go.”

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Before Bella’s health deteriorated, PEOPLE asked the young TikTok star about her thoughts on heaven. At the time, Bella said, “Heaven has a lot of clouds, a big castle made of clouds. God would be there.”

“She was fearless,” Kyla adds. “Whatever she faced, I never saw fear in her. She taught me courage.”

No plans for Bella’s funeral have been announced yet.