The body of missing YouTuber Desmond “Etika” Amofa has been found by the New York Police Department. The NYPD Twitter page confirmed that Etika was found deceased. Etika had been missing for six days following a worrying goodbye video published to his channel on June 19.
Etika published a video titled “I’m sorry” to his YouTube channel on Wednesday evening before disappearing. The video caused immediate distress among his fans. In the video, he discusses his life being cut short and apologizes to fans. He described his struggles 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. Unfortunately, it consumed me.” The video’s description appeared to be a long goodbye note to those who knew and followed him. When no follow-ups were posted, concern for his well-being heightened.
On Saturday, police recovered some of Etika’s personal items from the Manhattan Bridge. Authorities found his cell phone, wallet, laptop, and Nintendo Switch, along with other miscellaneous items. Monday evening, a then-unidentified body was found in the East River only a half mile from the bridge where his belongings were found. The NYPD has now confirmed that Etika’s body was found deceased.
Over the last ten months, Etika’s struggles with mental illness became public as fans worried about his erratic behavior. He uploaded porn to his YouTube channel, resulting in a deactivation. He also livestreamed a standoff with the NYPD and was taken to a hospital. “I’m sorry” was his final correspondence with fans.
It’s important to honor Etika’s memory. At only 29 years old, Etika had garnered hundreds of thousands of followers across his YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter channels. He primarily focused on Nintendo and often posted high-energy reaction videos. He became open about his struggles with mental illness and faced heavy amounts of online bullying, even joking in his “I’m sorry” video description about how his death would be memed.
This is a tragic loss of another young life. Our condolences are with his family, friends, and fans.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (USA): 1-800-273-8255
Samaritans (UK): 116 123
