Cyanide passes away at 31: When the founding generation of professional LoL begins to fade

On July 31, 2026, Finnish media reported that Lauri "Cyanide" Happonen, the first world champion in League of Legends history, had passed away at age 31. The Finnish Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV) confirmed the news to Ilta-Sanomat, but the cause and circumstances were not disclosed. Just six days earlier, Cyanide had appeared at the Karmine Corp Roadtrip event in France, playing in the "EU LCS Classic" showmatch alongside his old Fnatic teammates. His career spanned the 2026 World Championship title and three EU LCS titles in 2026–2026, bridging the sport's transition from open-circuit LAN tournaments to publisher-run leagues. He gradually left top-level competition after 2026 and formally retired at the end of 2026. This obituary examines how a foundational generation built professional LoL without the welfare structures that later cohorts enjoyed. Cyanide's death, along with Shushei's death in April 2026, raises structural welfare questions rather than causal claims. The response from the esports industry — institutional memorials, alumni support, or silence — will define how the founding generation is remembered.