Byron Bernstein, a prominent Twitch streamer and beloved member of the online gaming community, has reportedly died by suicide on Thursday at age 31.
Bernstein, better known by the name ‘Reckful,’ was known as one of the best World of Warcraft players across the globe and amassed a massive following on Twitch with more than 936,000 followers.
Bernstein’s former girlfriend, known as ‘Blue,’ confirmed his death with a number of heartbreaking tweets.
Bryon Bernstein, also known as ‘Reckful,’ (left and right) died by suicide on Thursday at the age of 31. He was top ranked World of Warcraft player who amassed a massive following online.
Thousands of World of Warcraft players across the several countries and servers reportedly logged onto the popular site and gathered inside a virtual cathedral to pay tribute to Bernstein.
Dot ESports reported that grieving fans were mourning Bernstein’s death and describing the positive impact he’s had on them.
‘Bryon had a brilliant mind, I loved watching streams where he would do chance/odd calculations and show his work,’ one players said. ‘It was so interesting and fun.’
‘I always wished I ran into him walking around Austin. RIP Reckful,’ another user wrote.
After news of Bernstein’s death, thousands of World of Warcraft players reportedly gathered in a virtual cathedral in the online game to pay tribute and remember him
Several players were seen kneeling inside the World of Warcraft cathedral to express just how deeply Bernstein impacted the online gaming community
One player wrote: ‘Bryon had a brilliant mind, I loved watching streams where he would do chance/odd calculations and show his work. It was so interesting and fun.’
Among his several achievements, Bernstein ranked number one among World of Warcraft players for six consecutive years and won a number of gaming tournaments throughout his career
The players knelt inside the Cathedral of Stormwind to show just how much Bernstein meant to the expansive World of Warcraft community.
His many achievements included ranking number one among World of Warcraft players for six consecutive years. Bernstein also won several gaming tournaments, including Major League Gaming’s World of Warcraft tournament in 2010.
In 2011, Bernstein released a gaming movie called ‘Reckful 3’ that gained one million views within the first week.
He later shifted his career into game developing, creating the game ‘Everland’ in May 2020 with hopes of helping people ‘find friendship and a sense of community.’
Bernstein has also been open about his struggles with depression throughout his life.
Bernstein developed a game called ‘Everland’ in May 2020 and said he created the game with hopes of helping people ‘find friendship and a sense of community’
Pictured: Dozens of World of Warcraft players gather inside a virtual cathedral on Thursday to pay tribute to Byron Bernstein, who reportedly committed suicide
Pictured: Several fans shared thoughtful messages about Bernstein while gathering inside a virtual cathedral in World of Warcraft
In January, Bernstein shared in a video that he lost his brother to suicide when he was six-years-old and has dealt with mental health issues
He told viewers that he was working to get better and developing his new game gave him ‘a sense of purpose.’
‘I am actually day-to-day happy,’ Bernstein said at the time. ‘I’ve never felt this way in my life. I’m not saying it’s gonna last forever, but right now I’m happy.’
His Twitter feed on Thursday contained concerning tweets that worried his fans.
Bernstein (pictured) has been open about his struggles with mental health throughout his life and said in a January Youtube video that he was improving
Bernstein shared a number of tweets on Thursday before his death that concerned his Twitter followers
Blue: ‘I wish he could see how much he is loved and all of the sweet things people have said to honor his memory. Remember, your words/tweets affect people, even the famous people
‘I feel bad for anyone who has to deal with my insanity,’ he wrote Thursday morning.
Blue first confirmed Bernstein’s death Thursday morning before cautioning others to be mindful of their words and actions.
‘Thank you to everyone who has reached out. I wish he could see how much he is loved and all of the sweet things people have said to honor his memory. Remember, your words/tweets affect people, even the famous people. Please be kind,’ she wrote.
Several fans and fellow gamers also took to Twitter to remember Bernstein, who some described as ‘the face of Twitch for many years.’
Several fans and fellow gamers took to Twitter to grieve Bernstein’s death and share condolences with one another on Thursday
Rod Breslau: ‘I’ve been fortunate enough to know Reckful through the start of his career as the Rank 1 WoW Arena legend on BG9 and Compexity Red MLG esports champion, all the way through to being one of the most innovative streamers in Twitch history Byron’s legacy will never be forgotten’
One fan of Bernstein said the news of his death left him ‘genuinely speechless & sick to my stomach’ on Thursday
Twitch streamer Chance Morris, also known as ‘Sodapoppin,’ called Bernstein a ‘legend in my life.’
‘Byron u deserved better. Life is not fair. You were at times the best person to spend time with, u deserved…so much better than this,’ wrote Morrris.
‘U were and always will be a legend in my life so in that way you’ll never die. RIP.’
Andy Milonakis, a Twitch user who sometimes appeared in Bernstein’s videos, said: ‘Heartbroken. Still in shock, I’ve dreaded that this day could possibly come. RIP Byron, I love you.’
One fan admitted he was ‘Genuinely speechless & sick to my stomach,’ over the news of Bernstein’s death.
Andy Milonakis, a Twitch user who sometimes appeared in Bernstein’s videos, shared in a Twitter post that he was ‘heartbroken’ and in ‘shock’
‘I can’t even put the words together to emphasise just how much of an impact your stream had on me in a time when I needed it most. Rest in peace, Byron ‘Reckful’ Bernstein,’ he wrote.
Esports and gaming consultant recalled watching Bernstein’s career launch as his popularity grew online.
‘I’ve been fortunate enough to know Reckful through the start of his career as the Rank 1 WoW Arena legend on BG9 and Compexity Red MLG esports champion, all the way through to being one of the most innovative streamers in Twitch history Byron’s legacy will never be forgotten,’ wrote Breslau.
If you or someone you know needs support, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.