The family of the late Pokémon influencer Avery the Poké Kid has issued a statement denouncing individuals who are reportedly using his death to artificially inflate the prices of a 30th Anniversary Jirachi SIR card. Avery, who passed away at 12 years old after a seven-year battle with pancreatic cancer, was a devoted fan of the Pokémon franchise. A video of his final Pokémon card pack opening, featuring the 30th Anniversary Jirachi SIR card, went viral shortly after his passing.
This surge in attention has coincided with reports from the Pokémon Trading Card Game community that the Jirachi card's market value has increased. One collector noted on X (formerly Twitter) that the card's price rose from $70 to $100, a jump widely attributed to the viral posthumous video. The situation has drawn sharp criticism from within the community, with many expressing disgust at the exploitation of a child's death for financial gain.
In response to the growing controversy, Avery's family released a statement via his official Instagram account. They emphasized that they are not involved in, nor are they benefiting from, any card sales referencing Avery. The family has formally requested that sellers remove any listings that mention him. "Please let us do that in peace," they pleaded, highlighting their need to mourn and care for their remaining children without further distress. The statement was met with widespread support in the comments, with users condemning the scalpers and offering condolences to the family.
This incident occurs against a backdrop of previous market dynamics involving the Pokémon Company's 30th Anniversary collection. The company had produced sufficient quantities of the set, leading to significant backlash from resellers who found their profit margins diminished as the cards became more accessible to the general public at retail prices.