When we think of YouTube stars, we picture vibrant personalities basking in digital fame, racking up followers, and cashing in on their viral success. But the glow of the spotlight can cast some dark shadows. We’re not just talking about petty scandals or minor slip-ups—some YouTubers’ quests for stardom have taken a sinister turn, ending in infamy.
As we’ve all seen, the pursuit of viral fame pushes people to take extreme risks—but the stunt Monalisa Perez and her boyfriend Pedro Ruiz attempted in June 2017 was on a whole different level. The couple, hoping to boost their YouTube channel, devised a perilous plan: Perez would fire a .50-caliber Desert Eagle at a thick encyclopedia held by Ruiz, convinced it would stop the bullet. Despite Perez’s hesitation, Ruiz insisted. Tragically, the book failed to block the shot, and Ruiz was fatally wounded. Perez, who was pregnant at the time, pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter and received a 180-day jail sentence.
When people think of the dark corners of the internet, Elliot Rodger’s name often comes to mind—a figure who lives on in infamy for the horrific crimes he committed over a decade ago. Through his YouTube channel, Rodger presented himself as a socially isolated young man consumed by deep-seated resentment toward women. His videos, coupled with a chilling manifesto, laid bare his frustrations and sinister intentions. In May 2014, Rodger carried out a violent rampage in Isla Vista, California, killing six people and injuring fourteen others before taking his own life. His actions brought the term “incel” (involuntary celibate) into mainstream awareness, shining a spotlight on the dangers of online echo chambers.
YouTube is a hub for every niche imaginable, from makeup tutorials to woodworking how-tos and everything in between. Among its most devoted communities is anime fandom, where passionate fans connect over their shared love for the genre. While anime often brings to mind bright, wide-eyed characters in whimsical or adventurous tales, it can also explore much darker themes—and no story illustrates this dichotomy better than that of Trey Sesler. Known online as “Mr. Anime,” Trey built a following for his engaging anime reviews and discussions. But as time went on, his content took a disturbing turn, culminating in a cryptic video ominously titled “Mr. Anime is planning something…” Shortly thereafter, in March 2012, Sesler murdered his parents and brother in their Texas home, as well as their household pets. He later confessed to also planning a mass shooting at a local school, though he backed out, saying things became “too real.” Shortly after his arrest, Sesler was placed on suicide watch, and he was later sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
While some of these stories involve sinister motives and clear premeditation, Daniel Silva’s tale is one of a tragic accident—a single reckless decision that led to devastating consequences. Silva, a tattoo artist who rose to fame on Ink Master and built a solid YouTube following, was involved in a high-speed car crash in May 2020 while driving under the influence. The accident claimed the life of his passenger, fellow YouTuber Corey La Barrie. Silva reportedly attempted to flee the scene but was later arrested and pleaded no contest to vehicular manslaughter. He was sentenced to 364 days in jail, five years of probation, and 250 hours of community service. After his release, Silva posted an apology video on YouTube, which was met with heavy criticism from viewers accusing him of deflecting accountability.
These YouTube stars-turned-criminals remind us that behind every screen is a real person with complex emotions—and, in many cases, serious struggles with mental health. Some ended up behind bars in desperate attempts to gain fame, others let their success inflate their egos to dangerous levels, and a few, as we’ve seen, were overtaken by forces far darker than themselves.
Yet, despite the differences in their stories, one theme ties them all together: narcissism. It’s impossible to say for certain whether these individuals would have spiraled into the same darkness without YouTube, but the platform undeniably amplified their worst tendencies. Fame, no matter how big or small, has a way of feeding the shadows within—a cautionary tale for creators and viewers alike.
Till next time, be wickedly wonderful.
