Online gamer Byron Bernstein, widely known as Reckful, has died aged 31. Photo / Supplied/news.com.au
Online gamer Byron Bernstein, widely known as Reckful, has died suddenly aged 31.
His death was announced by Twitter user Blue, reportedly an ex-partner of Mr Bernstein.
Esports insider Rod 'Slasher' Breslau, Mr Bernstein's roommate, also confirmed the news.
The American streamer and former professional eSports player is best known in the gaming community for playing World of Warcraft and Asheron's Call.
He was one of online streaming platform Twitch's first big streamers.
He famously finished ranked number one for six seasons in a row in MMORPG game World of Warcraft.
Reckful later played competitive Hearthstone, a free-to-play online digital collectable card game.
His Twitch account was suspended temporarily this year after a series of livestreams violated unspecified rules in Twitch's code of conduct, PC Gamer reports.
He was also permanently banned from World of Warcraft after sharing his account.
Reckful struggled with mental illness and publicly discussed it on his channel.
He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and struggled with depression.
Before his death he posted a series of tweets.
"Please just know in these situations the insane person does not feel in control of their actions," he wrote.
"Ahh, I feel bad for anyone who has to deal with my insanity."
His death sparked an outpouring of grief online.
Top US chess player Hikaru Nakamura, who recently appeared in a YouTube video with Reckful, paid tribute to the streamer.
"I will always be grateful to Reckful for the advice about streaming and our many conversations about life," he wrote on Twitter.
"I'm sure I'm not alone amongst your friends in wishing I could have done more.
"I hope you are in a better place now. Rest In Peace @Byron."
Streamer Jack 'CouRage' Dunlop also reacted. "Wow. Watching Asmongold's stream right now.
"Seeing thousands and thousands of people flooding the cathedral in Stormwind kneeling, paying respect to Reckful, and sharing their stories of how much he meant to them.
"The gaming community comes together in the most beautiful ways."
Yiliang 'Peter' Peng said on Twitter: "Reckful was someone I looked up to growing up.
"I remember watching his interviews when he was on CoL, thinking he was so cool.
"I rewinded his Reckful 3 video over and over to learn from the best rogue in the world. He was a huge reason why I even considered a career as a pro. RIP."
WHERE TO GET HELP:
If you are worried about your or someone else's mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call police immediately on 111.
OR IF YOU NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE ELSE:
• 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP) (available 24/7)
• https://www.lifeline.org.nz/services/suicide-crisis-helpline
• YOUTHLINE: 0800 376 633
• NEED TO TALK? Free call or text 1737 (available 24/7)
• KIDSLINE: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)
• WHATSUP: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm)
• DEPRESSION HELPLINE: 0800 111 757 or TEXT 4202
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