Dorian Murray, 8-year-old boy who inspired people across China, has died

World Today

Photo from the “Praying for Dorian” Facebook page.

Friends of the family of Dorian Murray posted on the “Praying for Dorian” Facebook page announced that the eight-year-old boy died late Tuesday night in the U.S. state of Rhode Island.

Photo from the "Praying for Dorian" Facebook page.

Photo from the “Praying for Dorian” Facebook page.

Murray was battling cancer and had told his father in January that he wanted to be famous in China. Chinese social media users responded in droves, creating the #DStrong hashtag and posting pictures of it in China.

“He was surrounded by people who love him and his transition to heaven was very peaceful. He was embraced by both mom and dad,” wrote Kathryn Thomas, a friend of the family, on behalf of Dorians parents Melissa and Chris Murray.

Earlier on Tuesday Dorian’s mother posted on their Gofundme site that Dorian was “making his transition at this time. Heaven is soon going to have the most beautiful angel ever… Stay #dstrong forever and always.”

Photo from the "Praying for Dorian" Facebook page.

Photo from the “Praying for Dorian” Facebook page.