Jarod Nandin, known online as NWBZPWNR and famous for his “South Park Guy” cosplay at Blizzcon, has died from COVID-19. The news was announced by Wowhead on Twitter early Sunday afternoon. Nandin had first told social media that he had tested positive for COVID-19 on December 22nd after checking into the hospital on the 18th, and had written a series of updates in the following days. His passing struck a nerve in the entire gaming community.
Nandin had first gained fame at Blizzcon 2013 after cosplaying as the World of Warcraft player in the South Park episode “Make Love, Not Warcraft.” He would walk around Blizzcon with a rolling desk with a gaming PC, keyboard, candy, and even Rockstars on the desk to recreate the look. Nandin also entered the costume contest with the look, which quickly went viral and helped him become known as the “South Park Guy.”
Matthew Mercer, known for being the Dungeon Master on Critical Role, shared his condolences on Twitter Sunday evening. “We miss you. Nearly two decades of being silly weebs together,” Mercer wrote on his Twitter. “You’ve only ever been a joy. This hurts.”
Please. PLEASE. Take this pandemic seriously. It’s exhausting, I get it, but momentary comfort should not outweigh the worth of human life.@JarodNWBZPWNR We miss you. Nearly two decades of being silly weebs together. You’ve only ever been a joy. This hurts. pic.twitter.com/3nSJbmVhKj
— Matthew Mercer (@matthewmercer) January 4, 2021
Michele Morrow also wrote about Nandin’s passing on her Twitter, sharing photos from when she first met him back at Blizzcon in 2013 while waiting backstage for the cosplay competition. “Jarod had a fantastic sense of humor and was an advocate for cosplayers, body acceptance and positivity,” Morrow said. “He gave the best hugs and always had something positive to share.”
Today the @Warcraft & greater @Blizzard_Ent community lost one of it’s sweetest souls to Covid. Jarod Nandin aka @JarodNWBZPWNR was best known by his famous Blizzcon cosplay “That Which Has No Life” from the @SouthPark ep “Make Love Not Warcraft”… (cont) https://t.co/LGCWKUWD1R pic.twitter.com/Mx63iS4ivG
— Michele Morrow (@michelemorrow) January 3, 2021
Other fans and celebrities also shared their tributes on Twitter to Nandin:
rip to Jarod Nandin, a World of Warcraft and South Park icon, who lost his life to covid. may he roam Azeroth forever pic.twitter.com/zoH5Hk9bu7
— Rod Breslau (@Slasher) January 4, 2021
The Blizzcon Cosplay community lost a friend to Covid today. Jarod Nandin was best known for his cosplay of The Warcraft South Park Guy but he was also an advocate for cosplay positivity and encouraged people to cosplay whatever they want. He will be missed. pic.twitter.com/kDxcL8darY
— Little Sparkz (@LittleSparkzLFG) January 3, 2021
I’m sad to hear about the passing of Jarod Nandin, who lost his battle to COVID
I met the dude for the first time shooting a video skit back in 2013. Loved seeing him at conventions. One of the nicest, most down to earth perps I met in the community.
RIP my friend. pic.twitter.com/b4O8of6wD7
— D-Piddy (@_dpiddy) January 4, 2021
A Memorial Fund has been set up on GoFundMe for Nandin to help cover funeral costs and to help his mother during this difficult time. The Cosplay Central team offers our condolences offers our condolences to Jarod Nandin’s family, friends, and loved ones.
