Friend of man whose illness began the world-famous ice bucket challenge dies after diving in Nantucket water to celebrate the viral campaign's success

  • Corey Griffin was reported missing at 2am on Saturday
  • Police said Griffin, 27, jumped off a Nantucket building on Straight Wharf
  • Griffin was reportedly pulled out of the water by an off-duty lifeguard and hospitalized, but declared dead at 3am
  • On Friday evening, Griffin reportedly raised $100,000 on behalf of his friend and ALS patient Pete Frates
  • Frates' story has been linked to the ALS ice bucket challenge, which has made the rounds on social media

By Zoe Szathmary for MailOnline

Published: 20:04 EST, 16 August 2014 | Updated: 08:15 EST, 17 August 2014

A friend of the man associated with the ALS ice bucket challenge died early Saturday morning after diving off a Massachusetts wharf.

The Nantucket Police Department said in a release that 27-year-old Corey Griffin was reported missing at 2am.

'[A witness] stated Griffin had jumped off the Juice Guys building [...] into the water where he floated to the surface,' the release said. 'Griffin then went under water again not resurfacing.'

The day before, Griffin 'had just raised $100,000 for ALS in honor of his friend, Pete Frates,' The Boston Globe said.

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Victim: Corey Griffin died early Saturday morning and had jumped off a Nantucket wharf

Victim: Corey Griffin died early Saturday morning and had jumped off a Nantucket wharf

Charitable: In addition to raising money for ALS, Griffin was reportedly involved with Boston's Children's Hospital

Charitable: In addition to raising money for ALS, Griffin was reportedly involved with Boston's Children's Hospital

Frates - an ex-baseball player who discovered he had ALS two years ago - has become the face of the ALS ice bucket challenge, The Globe noted. Thousands of people have uploaded videos of themselves talking about ALS before pouring buckets on themselves.

Robert Griffin told the newspaper his son Corey told him of his fundraising success and 'was the happiest guy in the word. He called me [Friday night] and told me he was in paradise.'

Griffin also said his son 'was so happy to be able to help [Frates.]' 

Friend: Pete Frates, who lives with ALS, has been strongly linked with the ALS ice bucket challenge making the rounds on social media

Friend: Pete Frates, who lives with ALS, has been strongly linked with the ALS ice bucket challenge making the rounds on social media

Scene: Griffin jumped off Nantucket store Juice Guys, pictured, into Straight Wharf

Scene: Griffin jumped off Nantucket store Juice Guys, pictured, into Straight Wharf

Police said Griffin was pulled out of the water by an off-duty lifeguard and hospitalized, but declared dead at 3am.

Griffin, who is survived by his parents and two siblings, was also involved in philanthropic events associated with Boston's Children's Hospital, The Globe reported.

Friend Anthony Aiello told the newspaper 'I just can’t stress enough that he was the greatest best friend, brother, and son anyone could ask for.

'He lived life to the fullest and everybody loved him. And every time he walked into a room, he put a smile on everybody’s face.' 

Big effort: Griffin raised $100,000 on behalf of pal Pete Frates

Big effort: Griffin raised $100,000 on behalf of pal Pete Frates

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