Nigerian content creator and skit maker, Esther Thomas, popularly known as Sunshine, has passed away following complications from a fibroid surgery.
Her death occurred on Friday, January 9, 2026, and was publicly confirmed by her family the following day through her official Instagram page.
In an emotional statement, her family wrote, “We, the family of Esther Thomas (A.K.A Sunshine), with pain in our hearts, regret to announce the sudden demise of our beloved sister and daughter, who passed away on January 9, 2026, after an unsuccessful surgery.”
The family explained that Sunshine had been battling a fibroid for some time and underwent surgery to address the condition, which sadly did not end well.
“She had fibroid and was operated on, but she couldn’t make it. We are now making arrangements to lay her to rest,” the statement added.
Sunshine’s passing has sparked an outpouring of grief on social media, with fans and fellow creators mourning the loss of the beloved entertainer.
Fellow content creator Chidera Madu shared a detailed timeline of events leading up to her death.
He explained that Sunshine began experiencing severe stomach pain in late December 2025, which intensified by January 1, 2026, prompting her hospitalisation.
Several scans revealed that her fibroid had grown significantly. She was admitted and placed on medication at Orchid General Hospital.
Chidera also noted the alleged impact of an ongoing doctors’ strike at the hospital, claiming that Sunshine was initially only given pain relief as the attending doctors were unavailable.
“On January 2, I noticed there was no doctor on duty and was told one was on the way. We then transferred her to another hospital where treatment continued using prior scans,” he said.
At the new facility, doctors recommended immediate surgery due to the severity of her condition. The operation was reportedly declared successful, but Sunshine later developed complications that led to her death, leaving family, friends, and fans in shock.
