Beloved content creator, influencer and social media star Etika was found dead when his body was pulled from the East River Monday, reported the New York Post. His death has been ruled a suicide and fans are heavily mourning losing him.
Real name Daniel Desmond Amofah, Etika vlogged about video games and had a fun-loving personality.
He was reported missing after posting a video in which he said he was suicidal. In the now deleted 8-minute video, the 29-year-old gamer from Brooklyn said, “I really had no intention of killing myself but I’d always push it too far,” he said in the since-deleted clip. “I guess I am mentally ill.”
In the months leading up to his death, esports consultant Rod Breslau said Etika’s online activity became more erratic, reported NBC News. However, he has posted about suicidal thoughts prior to his death.
In addition to an outpouring of heartfelt messages, over 2 million fans have signed a petition to fulfill Etika’s wish of being buried in front of YouTube headquarters. They have also created one asking the video giant to restore his original YouTube channel.
Listen to GHOGH with Jamarlin Martin | Episode 36: Jacques Bastien
Jamarlin talks to Jacques Bastien, founder and CEO of SHADE, a leading influencer management agency. They discuss Jacques’ concept of “hustlepreneurship”, developing a culture that embraces the benefits from entrepreneurship failure and navigating the complex business of social influencers.
Experts are not sure what toll social media takes on influencers of Etika’s prominence, but say the matter needs to be researched more thoroughly.
According to Etika’s fellow influencer, Etika’s family has asked fans who want to do something tangible to support them donate to a mental health organization of their choice to honor his memory. He remembered him as one of the best.
