YouTuber Accused of Stabbing Pregnant Girlfriend to Death Used Pre-Recorded ‘Grand Theft Auto’ Livestream as Alibi: Prosecutors

Stephen McCullagh, a YouTuber, stands accused of the murder of his pregnant girlfriend, Natalie McNally, who was tragically killed at her Lurgan home on December 18, 2022. The case has garnered significant attention not only due to the nature of the crime but also because of the alleged tactics employed by McCullagh to establish a false alibi.

The prosecution claims that McCullagh, who had approximately 37,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel, staged a six-hour livestream of himself playing Grand Theft Auto on the night of McNally’s death. According to court proceedings, this purported livestream served as a cover while he travelled to McNally’s home to execute the alleged attack that would lead to her demise.

In a pivotal moment during the trial, jurors were presented with evidence indicating that the livestream was not genuine. A witness, Detective Chief Inspector Neil McGuinness, testified that cyber-experts had determined the footage was pre-recorded, contrary to McCullagh’s claims. It has been reported that McCullagh later admitted in a written statement to police that the broadcast had been recorded days prior, thus undermining his alibi.

Prosecutors allege that while the livestream was being aired, McCullagh took a bus from Dunmurry to Lurgan, where he confronted McNally and stabbed her multiple times before returning home by taxi. Opening the case at Belfast Crown Court, prosecutor Charles MacCreanor KC described the incident as “a planned, calculated and premeditated murder,” asserting that McCullagh was intent on evading capture for his actions.

The horrific nature of the crime was further highlighted as jurors learned that McNally, who was just 32 years old and 15 weeks pregnant at the time of her death, suffered multiple stab wounds. In addition to these injuries, the autopsy revealed signs of blunt force trauma and neck compression, both of which could have led to her death, according to prosecutors.

Compounding the disturbing circumstances of the case, jurors listened to a recording of an emergency call made by McCullagh the evening after McNally’s death. In a visibly emotional state, McCullagh was heard pleading with the operator for urgent assistance, stating, “Please come as soon as you can, she’s pregnant, she’s cold,” and mentioning, “There’s blood everywhere.” The prosecution has described this call as a calculated attempt to mislead authorities and to manipulate the situation in his favour.

Initially, McCullagh had been ruled out as a suspect due to the supposed security of his livestream alibi. However, after further investigation uncovered inconsistencies in his story, he was charged with murder. McCullagh has consistently denied the allegations against him, and the defence will likely hinge on the perceived reliability of the original livestream evidence.

The case has sparked considerable outrage and sorrow, particularly given the circumstances of McNally’s pregnancy. A vigil was recently held outside the Parliament Buildings in Belfast, attended by numerous members of the public including Sinn Fein’s vice president, Michelle O’Neill, along with McNally’s brothers. The gathering was a poignant reminder of the profound loss felt by the community, as they remember McNally and call for justice in the face of domestic violence.

As the trial unfolds, it continues to shed light on the darker aspects of human behaviour and the often hidden tragedies related to domestic abuse. The jury’s decision will have far-reaching implications, not only for the parties involved but also for the broader issue of violence against women. The court proceedings will progress as both sides present their evidence, with a conclusion expected to provide clarity on this tragic case.