Desmond Amofah, a popular YouTube gamer known as "Etika," was found dead on June 25th, 2019, as the New York Police Department reported. According to the New York Post, authorities found Amofah's wallet, cell phone, a Nintendo Switch, and a laptop bag containing some clothes and headphones along the Manhattan Bridge days before the 29-year-old's body was recovered from the East River. Before his disappearance, Etika posted a since-deleted video that may have served as a suicide note. In the video's description, he wrote,
"I don't know what awaits me on the other side, but I'm ready to face it. My time ends now, but if there is a way for me too, I'll send you all as many blessings as I can from the other side."
In the video, he said, in part,
"It was a fun life. I had a great time. It was great. But for it to be cut so short, it's f---ed."
The outpouring of grief from the YouTube community and fans hit Twitter immediately. The official YouTube Creators account tweeted,
"We mourn the loss of Etika, a beloved member of our gaming creator community. All of us at YouTube are sending condolences to his loved ones and fans."
Fellow YouTuber Stylosa wrote,
"Very sad to hear the heartbreaking news that Etika has taken his own life. Mental [health] is no joke, if you're having problems and feel yourself slipping into a bad place, reach out to loved ones. Getting help is ok and something you should never be ashamed of asking for."
Etika's lengthy struggles with mental illness were well-documented. According to The Verge, adult content was uploaded to his YouTube channel in October 2018, prompting his channel to be deactivated. Shortly afterward, he posted a message to Reddit that many fans viewed as a possible suicide note, saying,
"And now, it's my turn to die. I love you all. Keep fighting for me, ok? I'll miss yall…make the world better for your own kids, and REMEMBER TO STARGAZE. These last 6 years have been an HONOR."
According to The Daily Dot, the gamer's behavior had become increasingly erratic and disturbing. He reportedly live-streamed police entering his Brooklyn apartment in April 2019.
"I said we're here for your mental health, we want to make sure you're alright."
"Well you're not allowed in my apartment, no, go home, I don't want to open the door."
And more footage soon emerged of Etika allegedly getting into an altercation with NYPD on the street. The site also noted that Etika had tweeted anti-Semitic and homophobic messages and declared that he was the Antichrist who had, quote, "come to purge the planet of all human life."
The Hollywood Reporter noted that in the since-deleted video posted on June 19th, 2019, Etika warned his audience about his experience with social media, saying,
"It can give you an image of what you want your life to be and get blown completely out of proportion. It consumed me."
Etika's fans are now consumed by grief. YouTuber DanTDM tweeted,
"It's always so sad to lose someone this way. RIP Etika. Mental health is so important, please don't feel like you are alone. It's okay to not be okay. Talk to someone, anyone, and if someone reaches out to you, listen."
YouTube makeup artist James Charles wrote in a since-deleted tweet,
"RIP Etika. My heart is so so heavy hearing this news. I hope that the community FINALLY realizes that creators are human beings with real, valid feelings. Someone having followers doesn't excuse cyberbullying. It's so easy to be kind to one another!"
Tempo ZeRo wrote,
"In honor of Etika, I invite anyone who wishes to pay respect to him to change their profile pictures to his logo. We can't get together and pay our respects because we are all in different places of the world and I think this is [appropriate]. Rest in peace, Desmond."
Rapper Lil Nas X tweeted,
"Didn't know Etika very well but i do know he inspired many and made a lot of people very happy. RIP."
If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
#RIPEtika #Etika #YouTubers
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