Desmond Daniel Amofah “Etika” Obituary News: What happened to American YouTuber and online streamer Desmond Daniel Amofah “Etika”?
Desmond Daniel Amofah better known as Etika, was an American YouTuber and online streamer. He became known online for his highly energetic reactions to Super Smash Bros. character trailers and Nintendo Direct presentations, and for playing and reacting to various games. The son of Ghanaian politician Owuraku Amofah, he lived in Brooklyn, New York, for most of his life.
Starting his online career in 2007, Amofah created his main YouTube channel, “EWNetwork” (Etika World Network), in 2012. His fanbase was dubbed the “JOYCONBOYZ” in reference to the Nintendo Switch controller, the Joy-Con. He garnered popularity following the release of Super Smash Bros. 4, with such a rise in prevalence largely stemming from his videos discussing news related to the game.
At midnight on June 20, 2019, a pre-recorded video titled “I’m sorry” was uploaded to Amofah’s TR1Iceman channel. In the video, Amofah walks through the streets of New York City talking about his mental health and suicidal thoughts along with the negative aspects of social media. He apologizes for pushing people away from him while also advising caution towards the overuse of social media. The video’s description also contained an apologetic note written by Amofah that expressed a similar tone. YouTube soon removed the video for violating its Community Guidelines, although Amofah’s fans reposted the video to other outlets. After leaving some of his personal belongings on the pedestrian walkway, Amofah jumped from the Manhattan Bridge and drowned. After his body was recovered from the East River on June 24, the New York City Police Department confirmed his death online the next day.
On June 26, the Office of Chief Medical Examiner concluded that Amofah had drowned after jumping from the Manhattan Bridge. Amofah’s death was met with expressions of both shock and grief by fans and fellow YouTubers alike.
Social Media Tributes
“Hard to grasp that he’s actually gone, left us way too soon. You will continue to live on in our hearts. Rest in peace Etika,” PewDiePie wrote in a tweet.
“My heart is so so heavy hearing this news. I hope that the community FINALLY realizes that creators are human beings with real, valid feelings,” Beauty YouTuber James Charles expressed tweeted.
“We mourn the loss of Etika, a beloved member of our gaming creator community,” the official “YouTube Creators” Twitter account said in a tribute to Amofah.
