SUNSHINE SNIDER — The tight-knit tattoo community is reeling after the loss of Sunshine Snider, a beloved friend, colleague and fixture at Iron Anchor, whose passing has left friends and coworkers grappling with shock and sorrow.
Friends described Snider as fiercely loyal and profoundly caring — someone who treated those around her like family from their teenage years onward. “We didn’t always meet eye to eye, but you treated me like a brother from 14 years old until now,” one grieving friend said, struggling to put the pain into words. “When I think of a pure heart, you come to mind. This world didn’t deserve you — but God does. Till the next time we meet, I’ll always cherish you.”
The artist’s death has been reported as a suicide. Details surrounding the circumstances are being handled privately as loved ones and colleagues attempt to process the loss. Members of the tattoo community have already begun leaving flowers, notes and tributes at Iron Anchor and online, sharing memories of Snider’s warmth, generosity and protective spirit toward those around her.
Colleagues say the industry — known for its close bonds and enduring friendships — is rallying to support one another through this painful time. Many remembered Snider not only for her craft but for the way she sheltered and uplifted others, a presence that made a lasting impression on everyone she met.
Friends also acknowledged the strain of recent months: long workdays, draining personal relationships, and growing emotional fatigue. In the wake of Snider’s death, they are urging one another to check in, to seek help when needed, and to hold space for conversations about mental health in their circles.
Funeral and memorial arrangements are being coordinated privately; family and friends have asked for privacy as they grieve. Those who wish to leave tributes or share memories are encouraged to do so through the shop’s community pages and private messages to the family.
If you are struggling with thoughts of self-harm or are overwhelmed, please reach out to someone you trust or seek professional help. If you are in immediate danger, contact local emergency services. If you are in the United States, you can dial or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline; if you are elsewhere, please contact your local emergency number or your country’s crisis support line. Friends and colleagues of Sunshine say right now the most important thing is that no one suffers alone.
Rest in peace, Sunshine.