Record holders lost in 2024: World’s oldest people, largest crocodile and TikTok star

We’ve said goodbye to many of our wonderful record holders this year.

As 2025 draws near, we’re paying tribute to the unforgettable members of the Guinness World Records family lost in 2024…

Largest crocodile in captivity

Cassius the crocodile tragically died in November.

He lived at Marineland Melanesia wildlife zoo on Green Island in Australia and had held his record since 2011.

He measured 5.48 m (17 ft 11.75 in), which is as big as the Statue of Liberty’s face.

The people who looked after Cassius believed he could have been as old as 120, although there was no way to know for sure.

Based on the growth of crocs they’ve had since birth – who at 4.5 m were nowhere near as big as him – it's estimated Cassius was born in 1903.

Cassius was the largest crocodile to ever be caught alive in Australia.

Longest toenails

Louise Hollis, who had the world’s longest toenails, passed away in December.

She was 86 years old.

Louise’s toenails had a combined length of 220.98 cm (87 in) when they were measured in 1991.

An entry in Guinness World Records 2004 noted that each toenail was, on average, as long as the width of a page in the book itself.

Louise also grew her fingernails long.

Oldest man

We lost two of the world’s oldest ever men this year.

First, Juan Vicente Pérez (Venezuela) died at the age of 114 in April.

He would have turned 115 the following month.

His death was confirmed by Freddy Bernal, the governor of Táchira, Venezuela, where Juan lived.

He wrote on X: "Our dear Juan Vicente Perez Mora, today with deep sadness and pain we say goodbye to you, to that archetype of a man from Tachira, humble, hard-working, peaceful, enthusiastic about family and tradition.”

He was succeeded by John Tinniswood (UK), who held the title until his sad passing in November.

John was 112 when he died at his care home in Southport, England.

His family told Guinness World Records in a statement: “His last day was surrounded by music and love.

“John always liked to say thank you. So on his behalf, thanks to all those who cared for him over the years, including his carers at the Hollies Care Home, his GPs, district nurses, occupational therapist and other NHS staff.”

Oldest woman

We also said goodbye to one of the world’s oldest ever women this year.

Maria Branyas Morera (USA/Spain) was also the world’s oldest person when she died at age 117 in August.

When asked about her secrets to a long life, she once said it was “order, tranquillity, good connection with family and friends, contact with nature, emotional stability, no worries, no regrets, lots of positivity, and staying away from toxic people.”

Tallest dog

Great Dane Kevin tragically died in June just days after his record was announced.

The three-year-old, who lived in West Des Moines, Iowa, USA, with his loving family, passed away following an unplanned surgery after falling ill.

Kevin’s owner Tracy Wolfe said in tribute: “Our whole family is devastated about Kevin. He was just the best giant boy!  

"We are so glad that he was able to break the record and have that light on him. He absolutely adored the attention. I wish these giant breeds, and all dogs, could live longer than they do. It’s never enough time."

Oldest conjoined twins

Lori and George Schappell (USA), the world’s oldest living conjoined twins and oldest female conjoined twins ever, died in April.

They passed away at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania due to undisclosed causes, as per their obituaries published by Leibensperger Funeral Homes.

They were 62 and had defied odds by living as long as they had.

Lori and George (formerly Dori) had partially fused skulls and shared vital blood vessels and 30% of their brains (the frontal and parietal lobes).

Record-breaking stuntman

Stuntman and serial Guinness World Records title holder Ron Sarchian passed away in February at the age of 59.

He had battled pancreatic cancer for two years.

He started breaking Guinness World Records titles in 2004 and was so good at it he became known as “World Record Ron”.

Ron proudly stated in his Instagram bio that he’d broken records 53 times.

And at the time of his death he had 30 active record titles, including the most pencils snapped in one minute (110), the most wooden rulers snapped with a karate chop in one minute (144) and the most eggs crushed with a punch in one minute (334).

Record-breaking chef

Much-loved TikTok chef Lynn “Lynja” Davis died in January following a battle with cancer.

She was 67.

She was well known for her Cooking with Lynja TikTok channel as well as her record-breaking antics with fellow social media star Nick DiGiovanni.

Videos of their culinary masterpieces, including the largest doughnut cake and the largest chicken nugget always went down a treat.