Popular YouTube personality Desmond “Etika” Amofah has been found dead after being reported missing over a week ago.
The New York Police Department had been searching for Etika ever since he posted a “goodbye” video, discussing his regrets and apologizing to friends, family, and former fans. Up until that point, many in the Smash community had been laughing at Etika’s expense, finding humor in his off-the-rails rants about being the antichrist and concerning Twitter rants, which included slurs and antisemetic statements. Some even speculated that the disappearance was a publicity stunt, even when Etika’s belongings were discovered on the side of the Manhattan Bridge on Saturday night.
The death has been ruled a suicide.
Etika was famous in Super Smash Bros. circles for his over-the-top reactions. Just check out his reaction at :53 to get a good sample of Etika’s entertaining YouTube content before his channel was taken down.
While Etika has always been open about his struggles with mental health, it was his behavior in the last 10 months that really started to worry his fans. In October of 2018, Etika violated YouTube’s guidelines by uploading pornographic material to his channel. When his channel was subsequently deactivated, Etika stated it was “time to die.”
He moved on to Twitch, where he continued to enjoy a big following. But this was ended shortly thereafter for the same infraction, with his account getting shut down again. Etika moved to Instagram.
In April, Etika live-streamed a standoff he had with New York Police after they responded to some of his more concerning tweets. At the time, the police told Kotaku that Etika was “threatening suicide in the apartment.” Since he had a history of mental health issues, the police were taking the threat very seriously.
Etika was transported to a hospital in Brooklyn. His ex-girlfriend, Alice Pika, reassured both fans and critics that he was indeed alive and breathing.
After the goodbye video was released, many YouTubers, including Daniel “Keemstar” Keem, tweeted out support for Etika. Despite previously mocking Etika on his own channel, Keemstar tweeted to Etika that “people will be happy to know you are alive and safe somewhere.”
Pika shared a video of Etika leading up to the NYPD’s devastating discovery. Fans also shared their own memories of Etika’s content, and many expressed sadness over his passing while urging others to stop the trolling. YouTube Creators sent out a tweet this morning that stated, “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.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or suicidal thoughts, reach out to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
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