Influencer Chase Filandro Dies at Age 20

Chase Filandro, a New York City-based content creator and aspiring actor, died on July 31 at the age of 20.

Known for his love of travel and photography, Filandro frequently shared snapshots from his adventures across the United States with his more than 30,000 Instagram followers.

“Chase was an avid traveler and was moved by the beauty of National Parks,” his sister, Franki Ford, wrote in a tribute on Instagram. “He always welcomed strangers with a smile and made friends along all the trails he traveled on.”

In addition to his content creation, Filandro was a vocalist for the indie rock band Just Add Water, a five-member group that regularly performed around Long Island. He last took the stage with them during a show last summer.

Take 2 Actor’s Studio, an acting school in Huntington, N.Y., where Filandro studied, remembered him for his “vibrant spirit” and the positivity he radiated. “His presence was a gift, and his absence leaves a hole in our hearts that can never be filled,” the school shared in a tribute post.

To honor his memory, Ford launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for a memorial in or near one of Filandro’s favorite national parks. The fundraiser has already collected over $24,000 within two days.

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