Viral 'Double Rainbow Guy' Paul L. Vasquez Dies Aged 57

Paul L. Vasquez, the man behind the viral 'double rainbow' video from 2010, has sadly died aged 57.

The Mariposa County coroner's office told the Modesto Bee that Vasquez died early on Saturday 9 May at a hospital emergency room.

The cause of his death has not yet been confirmed.

According to ABC News, Vasquez had recently posted on his Facebook page to say he had been to get tested for Covid-19, but had learned about another unspecified ailment.

Vasquez, who was known on social media as 'Yosemitebear', shot to viral fame in January 2010 when he posted a YouTube video showing a set of two rainbows that had appeared over the Yosemite valley.

In the caption, he explained: "It was rainbowing for at least an hour on January 8th 2010. It was incredible. The camera could not capture the vivid intensity and brightness. Look into the mirror, look into your soul."

The clip found worldwide fame due to Vasquez's awestruck narration, as he could be heard in the video laughing, sobbing and repeatedly exclaiming 'Whoa!' and 'Oh my God!'.

At one point he says: "It's a double rainbow all the way across the sky!"

Later in the three-and-a-half minute video, he asks: "What does it all mean?"

As of today, the YouTube video has more than 47 million views.

Facebook/Paul L. Vasquez

Vasquez was a cannabis grower and user, but he said he wasn't high when he shot the video - telling CNN in a 2015 interview that his solitude merely allowed him to connect to nature on a much deeper level.

He said: "You can't look at a rainbow anymore and not think about me."

Paying tribute to the unlikely star, one YouTuber commented on the video: "The recent news is awful. This man legitimately shaped internet memes for the rest of our lives! This is one incredible video where you can come back and simply smile. Rest in paradise. There's lots of double rainbows up there."

Another added: "Paul Vasquez, you were a light on this Earth. Seeing you engage with people in the comments up until the very end speaks to just how much love you showed every one of us. Thank you for bringing your awe and wonder into the world. I hope you now know what the double rainbow means."

Topics: Viral, World News, News

Jess Hardiman

Jess is a journalist at LADbible who graduated from Manchester University with a degree in Film Studies, English Language and Linguistics - indecisiveness at its finest, right there. She also works for FOODbible and its sister page Seitanists, which are both a safe haven for her to channel a love for homemade pasta, fennel and everything else in between. You can contact Jess at [email protected].

@Jess_Hardiman