Influencer Sydney Towle’s brother says she was ‘at peace’ before her death from rare bile duct cancer
Sydney Towle’s brother has opened up about the influencer’s final days after she died aged 26 following an almost three-year battle with rare bile duct cancer.
The TikTok star, who had more than a million followers across social media, was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma at the age of 23.
Her family announced her death earlier this week on Thursday (6 August), sharing a photo of Sydney standing on a mountain peak.
They captioned the Instagram post: “Rest in Peace. Sydney Elizabeth Towle. November 15th 1999-August 5th 2026.
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“An endless ray of sunshine, a daughter, sister, and friend to so many.”
The caption added: “We will always love you so much Sydney. I am so proud of how hard you fought. I love you.”
Sydney’s older brother Austin also shared the news on TikTok, describing her as the 'best sister ever'.
In a video alongside their mum, Austin said: “Hi everybody, we just wanted to let you know that Syd went peacefully last night after an almost three-year-long battle with cholangiocarcinoma. She fought really hard, and we’re so proud of her. We thank all of you for your support over the years.”
Her mum added: “We love you and thank you for all of your kind messages of support and love. We really appreciate it, and she will not be forgotten.”
Sydney had entered hospice care just days before her death, with Austin sharing a photo of family and friends gathered around her hospital bed on Tuesday (4 August).
“Sydney has been moved to hospice and is surrounded by her friends and family. Thank you all for your love and support,” he wrote.
Speaking to PEOPLE following Sydney’s death, Austin, 29, said the decision to move her into hospice care was made to keep her comfortable.
“It was so far along that there was no choice but to go to hospice,” Austin told the outlet.
He said Sydney had wanted to spend her final days at home, but moving her would have caused too much pain.
Austin also revealed that Sydney 'didn’t fight' the decision when doctors told her she needed hospice care.
“She didn’t get sad. She was very at peace. She was like, ‘Okay, I understand,’” he explained. “I think she had just been so exhausted up to that point that it is what it is.”
Despite the progression of her illness, the influencer went on to walk the runway at Miami Swim Week back in May.
Sydney modelled beachwear for The Chemo Club x Post Swim show, a collection designed to empower people living with cancer and embrace their scars.
Austin said the achievement remained a source of pride during Sydney’s final days.
“[During] the last few days, she was alive, but she was pretty comatose,” he recalled. “But we were surrounding her and telling her a bunch of stories, and I was like, ‘How many people can say they were battling stage 4 cancer while they were walking down the runway?’ She was awesome.
"She just kept fighting. So I want people to know that it’s never over until it’s over. Don’t give up hope, no matter what. She never did. Not literally until she physically, mentally, emotionally — everything — couldn’t anymore."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.
Rhiannon Ingle