It is with great sadness we report today that popular YouTube content creator Desmond Amofah, better known as 'Etika' and known to the Sonic community as a former Sonic Stadium staffer and Summer of Sonic contributor, has been found deceased.
The 29-year-old gaming star was reported missing six days ago, with the New York Police Department officially opening an investigation last Thursday. His belongings were later found on Manhattan Bridge on Monday, and within the last 24 hours a body was discovered floating in Manhattan's East River.
NYPD's Twitter account has confirmed that the body found was Amofah's.
Before he went missing, the online celebrity's recent behaviour had caused concern with his fanbase, who were worried for his state of wellbeing. Police were recently called to his house after a suicide threat was reported, and on June 19 the video creator had uploaded a video (which has since been removed) titled 'I'm Sorry' where he said he was suffering from mental illness.
'Etika' began his YouTube career back in 2012, and quickly gained a huge following after creating a series of viral content and gameplay videos, mostly focusing on Nintendo products. Before YouTube, he was known in the Sonic online community as 'Iceman', and was a staff contributor to this website before helping with the organisation of the UK's Summer of Sonic fan convention in 2010.
"We all love the blue bastard" - Etika aka 'Iceman', at Summer of Sonic 2010
Watch the interview clip here (from 8:34)
We're all incredibly heartbroken at this news at The Sonic Stadium. We were lucky enough to spend some time with Desmond while he was 'Iceman' (@Iceman Etika) - both on this site and at Summer of Sonic - and he was an incredibly gentle, friendly and energetic guy who had time for everybody he saw. No doubt he carried that with him throughout his YouTube career too.
Our thoughts go out to his family and friends. He will be sorely missed.
If you've been affected by a mental health issue, know that help and support is available. Various mental health charities and Suicide Prevention hotlines exist worldwide, we list a few below but a full list can be found using this link.
- United Kingdom (Samaritans): 116 123
- United States (National Suicide Prevention Hotline): 1-800-273-8255
- Australia (Lifeline): 13 11 14
- France (Suicide Ècoute): 01 45 39 40 00
- Germany (Telefonseelsorge): http://www.telefonseelsorge.de/
- Spain (Teléfono de la Esperanza): 717 003 717
- Italy (Samaritans - ONLUS): 800 86 00 22
Story via BBC
.png.b6f886a9e72ef979d1123d7a48dd2874.png)
Recommended Comments