Las Vegas, Nevada - On May 7, 2026, Matthew William MacLeod Ernst ("Matt" to many) departed this world for an infinitely better one while hospitalized in Salt Lake City, Utah and battling cancer (and on most days, kicking its you know what!).

Matt was born on May 26, 1982 at Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada to Philip William "Bill" Ernst and Patricia MacLeod Ernst (1950-2021). He began his studies at Las Vegas Day School, followed by many enjoyable years at St. Viator, Grant Sawyer Middle School, and then St. Anne before attending and graduating from Bishop Gorman High School in 2000. During his time at Gorman, he developed a strong interest in lifting weights, decking out his 1995 Silver GMC Sierra pickup, and all around being a bruiser who never walked away from a challenge and never wanted for attention from the lady folk. Put simply, Matt was a smart, athletic, strong and tough young man. He went on to attend UNLV, but ultimately found his calling in EMS, or Emergency Medical Services.

His journey into EMS began when he became licensed as an EMT, which enabled him to take his skills, training and passion to the streets working for AMR, the nation's largest provider of EMS and ambulance transport services. In May of 2016, while still with AMR, he graduated from the College of Southern Nevada's EMS Paramedic Program and became a licensed Paramedic. Loyal as always, he continued his journey—now as a Paramedic—at AMR, providing highly skilled, dedicated and compassionate medical care to thousands of people in Southern Nevada. His many years of service as a Paramedic, during which he saved countless lives and provided dignity to those who were beyond saving, was truly indicative of Matthew's fearless spirit and deep desire to help others. And he often did so at incredible risk to his own life, safety and health.

That was never more evident than on October 1, 2017, when most Las Vegas residents woke up to nonstop breaking news reports of unspeakable carnage right here in the city Matt called home. While most of us took refuge and found safety inside the comfort of our own homes, sipping coffee while slowing trying to absorb the sheer magnitude and terror of what was still unfolding just miles away, Matt was busy doing what he always did—running toward the people who needed him, never away. On that night and countless others, Matt chose to run directly into unprecedented violence, turmoil and bloodshed in order to save lives. And he did so without hesitation, reluctance or complaint. He ran into the massacre, helping evacuate victims and providing critical medical care to as many as he possibly could that night, some of whom would almost certainly have succumbed to their injuries had Matt not responded in the courageous manner he did.

In his personal life, Matt loved building and riding sport bikes, collecting and restoring early edition comic books, building and flying drones, drumming, crypto currencies, firearms and target shooting, and more. Above any of those interests, however, his heart belonged to his longtime childhood classmate at both St. Anne and Bishop Gorman, Christina Afentoulis, their two fur babies, Onxyx and Bough, and the contented life they built and shared together. From the moment they began dating all the way up to and including Matt's tragic passing, Christina proved to be Matt's rock, his anchor and his saving grace.

Matt's love for and commitment to his family was plain to see, but never in a loud or grandiose way. He treasured becoming an uncle, first to his nephew Dominic James Ernst and soon after to his niece Elizabeth Jade Ernst. In spite of very significant and debilitating medical challenges, he never passed on an opportunity to spend time with Dominic and Elizabeth and the rest of his family. They brought him tremendous joy, and he made sure they knew it.

When faced with his cancer diagnosis, Matt met it the way he met everything in his life, with remarkable courage, strength and resilience. He never once complained about his diagnosis or the tremendous hardship that came with it, all the way until his very last breath on this planet. He was at once the toughest, strongest, most fearless person you could know, and also one of the most tender and loving. May he now rest peacefully, knowing how loved and missed he is and will forever remain.

Matt is survived by his loving partner, Christina Afentoulis; his father, Philip William "Bill" Ernst; his brothers, Michael Robert Ernst and Nicholas Philip Ernst, his nephew, Dominic James Ernst (son of Nicholas Ernst and wife Kristen); and his niece, Elizabeth Jade Ernst (daughter of Michael Ernst). He is preceded in death by his loving mother, Patricia Macleod Ernst (2021), and his older brother, Michael Cosimo Ernst (1980-1980).

A memorial service and burial will be held on June 27, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., respectively, at Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave. in Las Vegas. All are welcome.