14-year-old newly out gay YouTuber found dead
A 14-year-old schoolboy who had recently come out as gay on YouTube has been found dead.
The death of Liam McAlpine is being described as “unexplained” by police in Scotland.
He had come out as gay days previously and had encouraged those who might have been bullied to stand up to their bullies.
His sister paid tribute to McAlpine saying he “meant the world” to her.
Chelsea wrote on social media: “I am so heartbroken without you Liam, dunno what to do anymore.
“I just wanna be up there with you why did you have to go so soon? You were only 14 years old you had your whole life ahead of you.
“I just remember sitting there for hours with you in your room and we would talk about random stuff you were always so happy and I remember you use to sing to me in Japanese.”
She continued: “There’s so many things I didn’t get to tell you I use to be able to talk to you about anything and have a laugh with you. Breaks my heart knowing you’re gone.”
Tracy Anna McAlpine, Liam’s mother, also commented on Chelsea’s post, saying he was her “baby boy”.
McAlpine regularly uploaded videos to YouTube of he and his friends.
He came out as gay in a video two weeks ago titled ‘Coming Out’, saying he had realised his sexual orientation three years previously.
In the video, he said: “I know folk at school will just say ‘oh haha, you’re gay. I don’t care, go ahead judge me.
“My true friends will stick by me, fake friends will just f*** off and leave me behind.
“Go ahead, I don’t care if you judge me, it’s who I am and I’m proud to be gay.”
In another video, he talked about bullying at school, criticising his school for its anti-bullying policies.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Police in Fife are investigating following the death of a 14-year-old boy at an address in Elgin Drive, Glenrothes.
“The incident was reported to police around 3.40pm on Sunday, March 5.
“The death is currently being treated as unexplained and enquiries are ongoing.
“A report has been sent to the Procurator Fiscal.”
