In 2007, teenager Randy Stair, also known as Andrew Blaze, started posting videos to YouTube and gained a loyal following through his comedy skits and animations.
But tragically, over the course of a decade, Randy's mental health could be seen to rapidly deteriorate through the YouTube videos he posted. He had a fascination with death, as well as an obsession with a fictional character from a Nickelodeon cartoon named Ember McClain.
And soon, Randy's desire to cross over and be reincarnated into the 'cartoon world' to be with Ember would drive him to take his own life. But Randy decided that either his family or his co-workers would join him in death, and that would be decided through the flip of a coin......
This is Real.
If you or someone you know needs help with their mental health or need support regarding any of the issues raised in this episode, please see the organisations below who can help:
https://www.mind.org.uk/ - Mental health & Identity support
https://www.spuk.org.uk/ - Suicide Prevention UK
https://www.samaritans.org/ - The Samaritans
https://988lifeline.org/ - Suicide Prevention USA
https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/ - Suicide Prevention Australia
https://www.pieta.ie/ - Suicide Prevention Ireland
NB: This episode features a person who struggled with gender identity. There is conflicting speculation online re the pronouns Randy is known by
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