Cause of Death for Influencer Chase Filandro, 20, Revealed

A cause of death has been confirmed for Chase Filandro.

The 20-year-old New York City-based content creator died by suicide on July 31, according to the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner, PEOPLE reports.

“It was Chase’s own decision to enter Heaven,” his family shared in a statement to PEOPLE.

Filandro, a junior at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, was remembered by loved ones as “a talented artist with boundless creativity.”

“He was a singer, musician, actor, teacher, artist, poet, and painter,” the statement continued. “Chase was a beacon of light with a magnetic personality and zest for life that touched everyone he encountered, both in person and online.”

His sister, Franki Ford, first shared the news of his passing in an Aug. 4 Instagram tribute, describing him as an avid traveler and national park enthusiast. “He always welcomed strangers with a smile and made friends along all the trails he traveled on,” she wrote.

Filandro was also the lead vocalist for the five-member indie rock band Just Add Water, which regularly performed across Long Island. He appeared on stage with the group as recently as last summer.

Take 2 Studio, an acting school in Huntington, N.Y., where Filandro was affiliated, honored him on Instagram for his “vibrant spirit” and “the joy he brought into every room.” The tribute added, “His presence was a gift, and his absence leaves a hole in our hearts that can never be filled.”

To honor his memory, Ford launched a GoFundMe campaign to fund a memorial at or near one of his favorite national parks. As of Aug. 6, the fundraiser had collected over $26,000.

“My brother, Chase Filandro, was a shining light who had an incredible zest for life,” Ford wrote in the fundraiser description. “He was loved beyond words by so many and opened his heart to everyone he encountered.”

His family concluded their statement to PEOPLE with, “Chase brought joy, creativity, and inspiration to so many. While our hearts are shattered by this tremendous loss, we find comfort in knowing that his artistic legacy and the love he shared will never be forgotten. We ask for privacy during this incredibly difficult time as we grieve and celebrate the beautiful life Chase lived.”