The tragic passing of actress Kelley Mack, known for her roles in The Walking Dead and Chicago Med, has left a void in the hearts of fans and the entertainment industry. The 33-year-old star died on August 2, 2025, in Cincinnati General Hospital after a public battle with diffuse midline glioma, a rare and aggressive brain cancer. Now, a devastating new detail has emerged: a tearful final phone call to her mother, Kristen Klebenow, in which Mack cried, “I’m in so much pain! I can’t breathe…” just moments before her death. Shared by her family on August 6, 2025, this heart-wrenching revelation has intensified the grief surrounding Mack’s loss and amplified questions about the circumstances of her final moments.

The call, described by her sister Kathryn Klebenow in a poignant Instagram post, took place at approximately 8:20 p.m., minutes before Mack’s death was recorded at 8:30 p.m. “She was struggling, her voice so weak, but she wanted to talk to Mom one last time,” Kathryn wrote. “She said she was in pain and couldn’t breathe, and then the line went silent. We didn’t know those would be her last words.” The post, accompanied by a photo of Mack smiling with her mother during a hospital visit, has sparked an outpouring of sorrow, with fans flooding social media to honor the actress’s memory and express solidarity with her family.

Mack’s battle with glioma was a public journey of courage and vulnerability. Diagnosed in September 2024 after experiencing severe back pain, she shared her story through candid Instagram updates, detailing her proton radiation treatment and the mobility loss that left her reliant on a wheelchair. Her resilience inspired thousands, with fans lauding her as a beacon of hope. Yet, the revelation of her final call has cast a somber light on her struggle, highlighting the excruciating toll of her illness. “Hearing Kelley’s last words breaks my heart,” one X user posted, alongside a clip of her The Walking Dead character Addy. “She fought so hard, but that pain… it’s unbearable to think about.” Hashtags like #KelleyMackForever and #RestInPeace trended globally, reflecting the depth of her impact.

The call has also deepened the mystery surrounding Mack’s death, already clouded by CCTV footage showing an unidentified man entering her hospital room shortly before her passing. Cincinnati police are reviewing the footage, but no criminal investigation has been launched, pending the coroner’s final report. The initial autopsy cited glioma complications as the cause of death, but Mack’s reported breathing difficulties and severe pain have fueled speculation. “Was it just the cancer, or did something else happen?” one fan tweeted, echoing widespread calls for clarity. Another shared a montage of Mack’s career highlights, captioned, “Kelley deserved better than this mystery. We need answers.”

Mack’s family has been overwhelmed with support. Her mother, Kristen, and sister, Kathryn, have shared memories of her warmth and humor, with Kathryn writing, “Kelley’s voice, even in pain, was full of love for us.” Co-stars from The Walking Dead, including Alanna Masterson, who called her “a sister in every way,” and Chicago Med’s Jessy Schram, who praised her “radiant spirit,” have joined the tributes. Liverpool FC, a team Mack adored, posted, “Kelley’s passion for the Reds matched her passion for life. Our hearts are with her family.” Fans at Anfield left flowers at the Shankly Gates, some inscribed with “YNWA,” Liverpool’s iconic “You’ll Never Walk Alone” motto.

The final call has also amplified efforts to honor Mack’s legacy, particularly her unfulfilled wish to create a short film, “Light in the Dark,” discovered in a letter under her pillow. The project, aimed at inspiring cancer patients, has spurred crowdfunding campaigns, with fans raising over $200,000 by August 6 to fund its production. “Kelley’s last call was pain, but her last wish was hope,” one supporter wrote on a GoFundMe page. “Let’s make her film to honor her fight.” Etsy sellers have introduced tribute items, from candles etched with “Light in the Dark” to T-shirts bearing Mack’s final words, “Keep shining.”

The entertainment community is rallying to keep Mack’s memory alive. A planned memorial in Glendale, Ohio, on August 16, and a celebration of life in Los Angeles will feature tributes from colleagues and fans. Social media continues to buzz with fan-made videos, blending Mack’s on-screen moments with audio of her inspiring cancer updates. One X post, viewed over a million times, read, “Kelley’s last call to her mom shows how much she loved her family. Let’s love her back by telling her story.”

As investigations into the CCTV footage and her death continue, Mack’s final words have become a rallying cry for her fans. The pain she endured underscores the brutality of her illness, but her love for her family and her art shines through. “Kelley Mack was a warrior,” one fan tweeted. “Her last call breaks us, but her light lifts us.” With her family vowing to fulfill her cinematic dream and supporters uniting in grief, Mack’s legacy endures as a testament to resilience, love, and an unbreakable spirit that will never fade.