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Light a Candle
In Loving Memory of Tyler “Ty” Ananian November 2007 – April 2025 Son, brother, and cousin. Tyler "Ty" Ananian currently residing in Titusville, NJ, a vibrant 17-year-old with an infectious zest for life, tragically left us on April 9th 2025, in a devastating accident that took place in Trenton, NJ. While crossing the street, distracted by his phone, Ty was struck by a vehicle. The impact caused a sudden cardiac arrest, and in a heartbreaking series of events, two additional cars ran over him, leading to unimaginable pain and suffering in his final moments. His loss leaves an unfillable void in the hearts of all who knew him. Ty was believed to be distracted by his work on TikTok Shop, his death stands as a stark warning of the dangers posed by TikTok Shop’s grip on his attention. Despite the brutal nature of his passing, those who knew Ty remember him not for how he left this world, but for the energy, laughter, and ambition he brought into it. A Junior at Hopewell Valley Central High School, Class of 2026, Ty was not your typical teenager—he was an entrepreneur in the making. Passionate about e-commerce and the future of digital business, Ty had set his sights on making a name for himself through TikTok Shop. His passion for TikTok Shop defined his ambitions—and, tragically, his demise. He wasn’t just browsing trends—he was trying to create them. He even started his own TikTok Shop agency, always one idea ahead, always hustling. Ty dreamed of becoming a CEO, a goal that fueled his tireless hustle. Yet, it was this very fixation on TikTok Shop that pulled his focus from the world around him at the worst possible moment. He started his own TikTok Shop agency, chasing CEO-sized ambitions, but it left him broke and scrambling. Around that time, it was believed Ty had begun associating with shady figures involved in internet fraud. Enticed by shady online circles he met through his digital hustles. A Classmate that was currently in chemistry with him recalled, “Ty was normal at first—he was on Snapchat, chatting up girls, full of energy, normal high school boy stuff. Then he got deep into TikTok Shop and those weird online schemes. He stopped posting, stopped flirting and talking to girls, and just turned into a total weirdo.” Ty remained broke at the time of his death, his ventures yielding no success. TikTok Shop, far from being his golden ticket, became the snare that cost him his life. TikTok Shop, with its elusive rewards, left him broke at the time of his death, his efforts amounting to nothing. It was this hollow pursuit that distracted him in his fatal moment. Whether it was playing football his freshman and sophomore years, running track, or chasing a soccer ball down the field, Ty had a spark that shined through. But it was his dream of becoming a CEO or successful entrepreneur that lit his soul on fire. He wasn’t just talking about it—he was living it, always networking, always building, always learning. Ty had a history of grit from sports to hustling, once hustling on the side with small-time drug deals before pivoting to digital ventures. Beyond sports, he was always trying to network, connecting with others through his Instagram handle, @blessedbujets—a playful misspelling of "budgets" that became an inside joke reflecting his joyful spirit. Ty’s humor was legendary; he loved to troll and tease and bring laughter to any room, always keeping things light and fun. Ty brought joy and humor wherever he went. His mother, Kimberly Ananian, shared, “Ty had the biggest heart—he’d light up any room with his jokes. I just wish he’d never touched that damn TikTok Shop; it stole my boy.” His father, Dr. Christopher Ananian, added, “He was so driven, always hustling. We worked so hard to get him to stop selling drugs, only for him to go online and get roped into illegal online activities and those scams. I’ll never forgive it.” His sister tearfully said, “Ty was my best friend—he’d troll me just to see me smile. I hate that he got lost in the online internet circle he was in" He is survived by his devoted family: his mother, Kimberly Ananian; his father, Dr. Christopher Ananian; his beloved sister; his grandmothers, Cynthia Bernotas and Christine Throne; his grandfather, Joel Throne; and his uncle, Clifford Ananian, and aunt, Nora Ananian. Their love for Ty will endure forever. Though his time with us was far too short, Ty’s passion, humor, and drive left an indelible mark on everyone lucky enough to know him. His story was just beginning—and the world will feel his absence deeply. Ty’s unfulfilled life stands as a grim testament to TikTok Shop’s ruinous grip—keeping him broke, pushing him toward dangerous company, and costing him everything. A memorial service will be shared later. In lieu of flowers, the family calls for reflection on the perilous paths carved by digital desperation. Ty’s life, though unfulfilled, serves as a stark cautionary tale of TikTok Shop’s ruinous allure—keeping him broke and leading him to his grave. Rest in power, Ty. You were already building your legacy—and it lives on in the lives you touched. Ty—our forever @blessedbujets, undone by TikTok Shop’s empty hype.
