It was a sad day for the esports world as Finnish outlet Ilta-Sanomat
reported the death of Lauri “Cyanide” Happonen, a former
League of Legends player and World Champion. He reportedly passed away on July 31 at the age of 31. Following the announcement, the community has come together to pay tribute to the former Fnatic jungler.
Former teammates pay tribute
The youngest World Champion in
League of Legends history helped shape the game in its early days. Alongside teammates Paul “sOAZ” Boyer, Enrique “xPeke” Cedeño Martínez and Bora “YellOwStaR” Kim, he won three EU LCS titles in two years before officially retiring in 2022.
sOAZ described Cyanide as “the nicest person he ever met,” while YellOwStaR made it clear that he was much more than just a teammate, reflecting the close bonds and cherished memories they shared.
Fnatic also paid tribute to the news, writing that Cyanide “leaves behind a legacy that will never be forgotten.” Another club legend, Martin “Rekkles” Larsson, who won a title alongside the jungler in 2014, replied in Finnish with “Rest in peace.” Meanwhile, Fnatic founder and CEO Sam Matthews remembered Cyanide as “one of the greatest in Fnatic’s history, but more than that, he was an incredible person, a great teammate — always laughing and having fun.”
The entire community celebrates his legacy
Cyanide’s former teammates were far from the only ones to pay tribute to his career and legacy. The wider League of Legends community also shared heartfelt messages in his memory. “Undoubtedly helped shape the early scene into what it is today. Many of us became fans of the game and competitive scene because of players like him,” wrote Fnatic head coach Fabian “GrabbZ” Lohmann. His assistant, Andrei “Odoamne” Pascu, also shared his memories:
“I grew up watching him and Fnatic compete, and I met him for the first time just a few months ago at the showmatch. Now he’s gone. He was just as sarcastic and dry as we all remembered him from watching the EU LCS. I still can’t believe it.”
Odoamne’s words capture one of Cyanide’s lasting legacies: his influence on the generation of players now competing in the LEC. Many professionals were inspired to pursue careers in esports by that Fnatic roster and the enormous impact its members had on the scene.
Through legendary plays, trophy lifts and memorable interactions with fans and fellow players, Cyanide became a figure who will forever be part of esports history.
“It’s been an honour to have competed against Cyanide in the early days of the EU LCS,” SK Gaming wrote in response to Fnatic’s post. “You helped build what we all get to enjoy today. You’ll never be forgotten,” added GIANTX, while the team’s coach, André “Guilhoto” Guilhoto, also expressed his sadness with a simple sad-face emoji.
Numerous other organisations, including Natus Vincere, Team Heretics, G2 Esports, Movistar KOI, Solary and KIWOOM DRX, also paid their respects, sharing Black & Orange hearts and “
Rest in peace” messages.
“Forever a legend,” wrote Sentinels alongside artwork of Cyanide’s Jarvan IV Worlds skin, which he received after
winning the 2011 World Championship.
