For Millennials. By Millennials.
A popular Twitch streamer by the name of Byron “Reckful” Bernstein dies at the mere age of 31. This has shattered the gaming community who are sharing the prayers and condolences to Byron’s loved ones. His ex-girlfriend Blue and his brother confirms that it was death by suicide.
Twitch even posted a statement:
Byron Bernstein was known as Reckful on the streaming service Twitch. He was most popular for his World of Warcraft streams. Plus, Bernstein was also developing his own video game, ‘Everland’.
Byron committed suicide
The ex-girlfriend, Blue Marigold, shared on Twitter:
“Yes, it’s him. He’s gone. I’ve been having a panic attack for an hour. I don’t know what to do. Byron, I wish I could have helped you. We all do. I’m so sorry I couldn’t. Thank you for being a part of my life. Love you always.”
Byron got fans worried when he shared some concerning tweets with his fans before the day of his death. One of the tweets said,
Ahh, I feel bad for anyone who has to deal with my insanity.
An additional tweet which made some fans anxious about Byron’s mental health:
please just know in these situations the insane person does not feel in control of their actions.
Furthermore, in January, he also posted a video where he talked about his brother’s death when Byron was just six years old. His brother also died by suicide. Though, in the video, he did share he was feeling better mentally.
Byron’s ex-girlfriend is highlighting the importance of mental health
Days before his death, Blue knew that Byron was having a hard time and did offer her support. But when Byron ended up taking his own life, Blue says she wishes she could have done something to prevent it
“Someone I loved killed themselves. I wish I could have said something to prevent it.”
Moreover, Blue also shared the text messages she had with Byron before he died:
https://twitter.com/BlueGoesMew/status/1278736608808722432
https://twitter.com/BlueGoesMew/status/1278747557527613440
Bernstein had proposed to another ex-girlfriend before he died
Another one of his ex-girlfriends, Becca Cho, reveals that Byron had proposed to her before he died. But she did not know about the proposal until it was too late. He publicly proposed to her on Twitter:
i know i’ll always be a little too crazy… and this is proof… but at least you’ll never be bored
will you marry me, becca? pic.twitter.com/Xpmz3IlRqv
— Reckful (@Byron) July 2, 2020
In a long Twitter post-Becca Cho shared the following in response to his death and proposal:
this wont be long and wont be eloquent, im still processing.
i didnt see the proposal until it was too late but that doesnt change the fact that i wasnt able to be there for him.
he was amazing. he taught me how to have fun, to experience more, and challenged me to try to be more than what i was. he was larger than life, too big for this world.
Furthermore, Becca Cho shares that she now understands the importance of mental health and how she knows nothing about how complex it can be:
he brought me to realize that I knew NOTHING about depression, NOTHING about mental health issues. I had this vague idea of what it was and embarrassingly thought that I could help with trivial bullsh*t.
we loved each other but it came with its difficulties. I was insanely insecure when it came to him, I couldnt even recognize myself. I dont feel that I was able to be the person that he needed in his life.
Becca then says that we as a whole need to be better when it comes to providing help to those suffering from mental health issues:
we need better support for those with mental needs. i remember byron telling me how traumatized he was when he had the authorities called on him for being at risk of suicide. anyone that knew him knew how much it scared and affected him. THIS CANT BE HOW PEOPLE FEEL ABOUT THE PLACES THAT SHOULD BE KEEPING THEM SAFE. HOW THE F*CK IS THAT OK? friends dont feel that its the right move to call for help when they know that the mental institutions they get sent to treat them like animals incapable of understanding. F*CK that stupid a*s logic song about the hotlines.
my heart hurts. im sure many of yours do as well. byron just wanted everyone to be friends, so lets be that for each other during these difficult times.
i will do my best to live as the best human i can be, byron. i promise. rest in peace.
Rest in peace Byron.