Adam the Woo, the longtime YouTube creator whose travel vlogs and upbeat storytelling earned him a devoted following, has died at 51, authorities confirmed. Williams, whose full name was David Adam Williams, was found dead Monday at his home in Celebration, Florida. An autopsy is pending to determine the cause of death.
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Williams’ death, stating deputies were dispatched earlier for a welfare check but could not reach the resident.
“The residence was secured, and no contact was made with the male inside,” a sheriff’s office spokesperson said. “Deputies later responded at 2:53 p.m. for an unattended death.”
A friend borrowed a ladder and, looking through a third-story window, saw Williams motionless on a bed. Deputies and fire rescue entered the home, where Williams was pronounced dead. Officials notified his father.
The sheriff’s office said the medical examiner will complete an autopsy. The cause of death remains under investigation.
Williams’ death sent shockwaves through the YouTube community. He was known as a steady, positive presence who documented everyday adventures across the United States. He built a loyal audience by focusing on curiosity, nostalgia, and connection. He avoided spectacle or controversy.
Williams launched his first YouTube channel in 2009. He went on to create his most recognizable platform, The Daily Woo, in 2012. On that channel, he committed to posting daily vlogs for five consecutive years. He eventually documented visits to all 50 U.S. states. His videos featured everything from theme parks and haunted houses to small towns and local events.
A dedicated Disney enthusiast, Williams regularly filmed content from Disneyland in California and Walt Disney World in Florida. He was also known for documenting historical Disney-related sites in Kansas City, Missouri, including locations tied to Walt Disney’s early career, such as the former Laugh-O-Gram Studios and Union Station.
Friends and fellow creators shared emotional tributes following his death. Fellow YouTube vlogger Justin Scarred described Williams as both a personal friend and a towering figure within the creator community.
“This breaks my heart, and I want to say nothing right now,” Scarred wrote in a Facebook post. “I don’t have the right photo or the right words. But with all the rumors, I feel I need to say what I can. The world has lost a giant, and I have lost a friend closer to me than blood.”
Scarred also asked supporters to keep Williams’ family in their thoughts. “Please pray for his parents, Jim and June, and his sister, Faith,” he wrote. PEOPLE said it reached out to Scarred for additional comment.
Another close friend, Chris Yon, shared a tribute on Instagram, expressing disbelief at Williams’ sudden passing. “I’m absolutely devastated to hear of my good friend Adam The Woo’s sudden passing,” Yon wrote.
Yon said he had visited Williams just days earlier. “I just visited him four days ago in Celebration, Florida,” he wrote. “We rode around town in his golf cart checking out the decorations, talking about his recent international travel, his excitement for upcoming plans on his YouTube channel, and even a Rays game Adam and I were talking about going to next year.”
“I truly don’t know what to say,” Yon added, echoing the grief gripping those closest to Williams. “I’m in complete shock. RIP David Adam Williams.”
Williams’ final episode of The Daily Woo was published Saturday, Dec. 21, and featured a tour of Christmas decorations in Celebration. In the hours after his death, the video’s comments section was filled with messages of grief, gratitude, and remembrance from longtime viewers.
For many fans, Williams was more than a content creator — he was a familiar companion whose daily uploads became part of their routines. As investigators work to determine the circumstances surrounding his death, tributes continue to pour in for a creator remembered for kindness, curiosity, and a genuine love of adventure.
Williams’ legacy now lives on through years of videos. He captured the simple joy of exploring the world, one day at a time.
