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[CULTURE] · Finland · 5 sources

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Lauri ‘Cyanide’ Happonen, inaugural League of Legends world champion, dies at 31

Lauri Happonen Cyanide League of Legends Fnatic esports

Lauri ‘Cyanide’ Happonen, a pioneering figure in professional esports, has died at the age of 31. According to reports from the Finnish outlet Ilta-Sanomat and confirmation from Finland’s Digital and Population Data Services Agency, Happonen passed away on July 31, 2026. The cause of death has not been disclosed.

Happonen achieved historic status in 2011 when, at just 16 years old, he won the inaugural League of Legends World Championship as a jungler for Fnatic. He remains the youngest player to ever win a League of Legends World Championship. During his tenure with Fnatic, he also secured three consecutive European league titles between 2013 and 2014.

Following his professional playing career, which concluded after the 2014 World Championship, Happonen worked in various capacities including as a caster and in quality management. He also pursued studies in Business Administration and was involved in gaming-related media projects. Former teammates and the Fnatic organization have issued tributes, remembering him as a kind and genuine individual.

Entities

Fnatic · Ilta-Sanomat · Lauri Happonen · League of Legends · YellOwStaR

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Sources

《英雄联盟》首届S赛冠军打野去世 年仅31岁 [news.mydrivers.com]
Cyanide LoL Deja Un Legado Imborrable En Los Esports [www.elperiodico.digital]
Jüngster Weltmeister in League of Legends ist mit 31 Jahren verstorben [mein-mmo.de]
Muere Lauri 'Cyanide' Happonen, campeón mundial del 'League of Legend' en 2011, a los 31 años [www.20minutos.es]
League of Legends world champion Cyanide dies aged 31 [www.dexerto.com]