Lurgan, Northern Ireland – A YouTuber with tens of thousands of subscribers is accused of murdering his pregnant girlfriend and attempting to cover up the crime by broadcasting a pre-recorded video that appeared to be a live gaming stream. Prosecutors allege the livestream was used as a false alibi on the night 32-year-old Natalie McNally was killed.
The case, now unfolding at Belfast Crown Court, has drawn widespread attention due to the unusual allegation that a pre-recorded “Grand Theft Auto” session was used to create the appearance of innocence.
Incident Overview
Prosecutors allege that Stephen McCullagh, who had approximately 37,000 YouTube subscribers, killed Natalie McNally, who was 15 weeks pregnant, at her home in Lurgan, Northern Ireland, on December 18, 2022.
According to the prosecution, McCullagh broadcast what appeared to be a live gaming session on YouTube that evening. During the video, he reportedly told viewers he was experiencing technical issues and could not interact with them in real time.
However, investigators later determined the footage had been recorded days earlier.
Timeline of Events
Court proceedings revealed that while the gaming footage was playing online, prosecutors allege McCullagh traveled by bus from Dunmurry to Lurgan, where McNally lived.
The prosecution claims he stabbed McNally multiple times and inflicted blunt force trauma before returning home by taxi. The following evening, McCullagh placed an emergency call reporting the discovery of her body.
Initially, authorities ruled him out as a suspect due to the apparent livestream alibi. That determination changed after forensic cyber analysis revealed inconsistencies in the broadcast.
Details from Police and Prosecutors
Detective Chief Inspector Neil McGuinness told the court that cyber-experts concluded the gaming session was pre-recorded. According to testimony, McCullagh later allegedly admitted in a written police statement that the video had been recorded several days earlier.
Opening the case at Belfast Crown Court, prosecutor Charles MacCreanor KC described the killing as deliberate.
“A planned, calculated and premeditated murder by the defendant,” MacCreanor told jurors, adding that he believed the accused “hoped to get away with” the crime.
Jurors also heard audio from the emergency call McCullagh made the evening after the killing.
In the recording, he can reportedly be heard crying and telling the operator:
“Please come as soon as you can, she’s pregnant, she’s cold.”
He also stated:
“There’s blood everywhere.”
The prosecution characterized the call as staged.
It was described in court as “an act” meant to help him “get away with it.”
Key Facts Presented in Court
- Victim: Natalie McNally
- Age: 32
- Pregnancy: 15 weeks
- Date of death: December 18, 2022
- Location: Lurgan, Northern Ireland
- Accused: Stephen McCullagh
- Subscribers: Approximately 37,000
- Charges: Murder
- Transport alleged: Bus from Dunmurry to Lurgan; taxi return
Prosecutors stated that McNally suffered multiple stab wounds and blunt force trauma to her neck and head. They further told jurors that either the neck compression or stabbing injuries could have caused her death.
Additional Context
The case highlights the growing role of digital forensics in criminal investigations. In an era where livestreaming and online content creation are commonplace, law enforcement agencies increasingly rely on cyber-experts to verify timestamps, metadata and streaming authenticity.
Authorities have not suggested that livestreaming platforms themselves were involved in wrongdoing. Instead, the focus has been on how digital tools can potentially be manipulated to create false alibis.
McCullagh has been formally charged with murder and denies the allegation. The trial is ongoing, and jurors will determine whether the prosecution has proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Conclusion
The court proceedings continue as prosecutors argue that a pre-recorded gaming video was part of an elaborate attempt to conceal a violent and premeditated killing. The defense maintains that McCullagh denies the charge of murder. A verdict will ultimately rest with the jury after all evidence has been presented.
As the trial moves forward, the case serves as a stark reminder of the seriousness of domestic violence allegations and the evolving role of digital evidence in modern criminal cases.
If you have thoughts about this case or concerns about domestic violence in your community, speak up and seek support through appropriate local resources. Share your experiences in the comments below.
