YouTuber Convicted for Faking Six-Hour GTA Stream to Kill Partner

A British YouTuber has been convicted of murdering his pregnant partner after a harrowing four-week trial. Stephen McCullagh was found guilty of brutally attacking 14-week pregnant Natalie McNally in December 2022. This shocking case drew attention not only for its brutality but also for McCullagh’s bizarre attempt to create an alibi using a faked six-hour livestream of GTA Vice City.

The jury took just two hours to reach a guilty verdict, following a trial so distressing that the judge assured jurors they would never have to serve again. McCullagh was sentenced to life in prison. He denied the murder, forcing McNally’s family to endure the trial, during which he claimed he was live-streaming on YouTube at the time of the attack. In reality, he had pre-recorded the entire six-hour video to fabricate an alibi that seemed ripped from a crime drama.

His plan, driven by revenge after learning McNally intended to leave him, involved broadcasting the stream as if it were live before going to her home to commit the murder. He returned the next evening, pretended to discover her body, and called emergency services, even attempting to frame a former partner of McNally’s.

Investigators quickly saw through McCullagh’s deception. Despite maintaining his story across eight police interviews over 44 days, authorities proved the livestream was pre-recorded. Disturbingly, he titled the stream “Violent Night,” featuring gameplay from both GTA Vice City and a game based on Robot Wars. Throughout the six hours, he acted as if it were live, claiming technical issues prevented him from interacting with viewers.

The footage was ultimately shown to have been recorded four days prior, and extensive CCTV evidence placed McCullagh near McNally’s home shortly after the murder, wearing a disguise he had previously showcased on social media. After returning home by taxi, he deleted the fake livestream and texts sent to McNally before uploading a video review of a lightsaber toy. For the next six weeks, he maintained his facade, attending McNally’s wake, keeping in touch with her family, and even recording them with his phone while at their house. He also participated in a vigil held in her memory.

Following the verdict, Niall McNally, one of Natalie’s brothers, expressed that “justice has finally been served for Natalie,” emphasizing that she “is, and always will be, what matters most.” He acknowledged the irreparable loss of Natalie and her unborn son, Dean, stating they would forever remain in their hearts.

Another brother, Declan, described Natalie as “an inspirational person” and reflected on the joy she brought to their family. He praised their parents for their incredible strength during the past three-and-a-half years.

McCullagh is set to receive his sentence, which could range from 15 to 30 years, on May 15.