Renowned actor Johnny Depp took to social media to express his deepest condolences and share a heartfelt tribute to Kori Stovell, better known as Captain Kori, a popular YouTube star. At the tender age of 11, Kori, alongside his mother Pixi, ran the YouTube channel Kraken The Box, which boasted an impressive following of over 200k subscribers. The channel documented Kori’s journey as an aspiring sea captain, featuring gift unboxing sessions and captivating stories. Sadly, Kori passed away on Monday while under palliative care due to a heart condition, following two unsuccessful transplants. Their manager conveyed this heartbreaking news through a message on their YouTube channel.
A Special Connection with Johnny Depp
Kori held a special place in his heart for Johnny Depp, particularly for his portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow in the beloved Pirates of the Caribbean film series. Through the Make-A-Wish foundations in America and the UK, Kori had the incredible opportunity to speak to Johnny, who graciously assumed his iconic character, Captain Sparrow, during their conversation. The heartwarming video, which accumulated nearly a million views after being uploaded last December, featured Johnny wishing Kori success with his YouTube channel, affectionately referring to it as his “Tubing You” channel. As a final testament to their connection, Johnny took to his Instagram Stories to share a GoFundMe link aimed at contributing to Kori’s funeral and fulfilling his final wishes. In his message to Kori, Johnny wrote, “Sail on my fellow Captain! You honored us with your life. You humbled and amazed us with the courage and strength to be able to smile through it all.” He continued, “You’ve shown every one of us how to stay ahead of the curve with grace, humor, an incomprehensible understanding, and unparalleled dignity.” Johnny concluded his touching tribute by stating, “You are a warrior, mate… We will meet again on the highest of seas… All my love and respect to you and your family, as always!!! X JD.”
Continuing the Legacy and Fulfilling Wishes
The manager of Kori’s YouTube channel released a statement informing the viewers of the devastating news and assuring them that the channel would remain active as a tribute to Kori. They expressed their intention to continue sharing the joyful moments, outings, and mischievous smiles captured in Kori’s videos. Additionally, they pledged to honor Kori’s wish of raising awareness for children’s organ donation and supporting relevant charitable causes. A GoFundMe campaign was initiated to cover the expenses for Kori’s funeral and wake, and it has already amassed nearly 50,000 pounds in donations. According to their manager, some of Kori’s final wishes include being laid to rest in his beloved pirate attire, with his signature tricorn hat. Kori’s mother, Pixi, hopes to have him transported in a glass carriage pulled by black horses, reminiscent of her mother’s funeral. As for the final resting place, Kori wished for a carved stone adorned with a pirate ship and the imagery of Whitby Abbey, accompanied by his photograph. Pixi also desires a marble floor with Kori’s hand and footprint etched onto it, providing a lasting tribute to her courageous son.
In a world where a young boy’s dreams were captured by the lens of a camera, Kori Stovell, aka Captain Kori, touched the hearts of many. His journey as an aspiring sea captain and his unwavering spirit in the face of adversity will not be forgotten. Through the support of his dedicated fanbase and the touching tribute from Johnny Depp, Kori’s memory will continue to inspire and bring awareness to important causes.