On January 3rd, Jarod Nandin, a member of the Blizzard fan community most known for his South Park World of Warcraft cosplay, died due to COVID complications. He had been hospitalized on December 18 for chest pains, and confirmed his COVID diagnosis on December 22. Nandin’s final tweet on December 28 detailed that his diagnosis had not been improving, with his oxygen saturation levels dropping below an acceptable limit.
Well known in not only the gaming community, Jarod was also well known in the cosplay community. He had rose to viral fame for his 2013 cosplay of “That Which Has No Life,” the unkempt antagonist of South Park’s World of Warcraft episode “Make Love, Not Warcraft.” However, he had been in the costuming crowd much longer than that with his various cosplays over the years. Nandin was known for promoting body positivity in both communities as well.
The various communities, Jarod’s friends, and family are all mourning, but all have expressed the same thoughts. Continue to be safe with COVID. Wear your mask, keep social distancing, wash and sanitize your hands, and protect not only yourself, but those around you.
Rest in peace, Jarod.
Ayden
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