YouTuber Jailed After Faking Gaming Livestream for Alibi In Pregnant Girlfriend's Murder

A YouTuber in Ireland will spend at least 31 years in jail for the murder of his girlfriend, after authorities say he faked a gaming livestream to provide himself an alibi.

Stephen McCullagh was found guilty by a jury and given a life sentence in Belfast Crown Court back in March, according to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). On Wednesday, June 3, he was told he'll serve a minimum of 31 years behind bars for the 2022 murder of Natalie McNally.

McCullagh previously claimed he couldn't have killed McNally-who was pregnant at the time of her death-because he was playing video games the night of her murder and had an apparent livestream to back up his claim. He was initially cleared as a suspect after providing his alibi.

Police, however, later discovered said livestream had actually been pre-recorded, giving McCullagh cover to kill McNally.

McNally's Murder Investigation

According to the BBC, McNally was stabbed to death in her Lurgan, Northern Ireland home in December 22. She was 15 weeks pregnant at the time. McCullagh was arrested at the scene after claiming he had found her body.

He, however, initially said he was playing Grant Theft Auto: Vice City and Robot Wars for six hours at the time McNally was killed, with footage of his stream shared to YouTube, seemingly live.

Police said they believed the alibi because YouTube had confirmed it was a live broadcast; McCullagh was then released and cleared as a suspect.

McCullagh then reportedly began to blame McNally's ex-boyfriend for the crime, while also attending her wake, visiting her grave, and making a memorial video after her death.

"[McCullagh was] very confident of avoiding justice for this, and was playing the role of the victim across his friendship group, across the McNally family and the public in Lurgan," PSNI senior investigating officer Neil McGuinness told the BBC.

The cyber unit kept investigating McCullagh's alibi and, after authorities obtained a warrant for his arrest and the search and seizure of his property in January 2023, were able to confirm the stream was actually pre-recorded. He was then charged with her murder in February 2023.

What Authorities Believe Actually Happened

McGuinness laid out the timeline of what police believe happened in a press release sent out earlier today.

"McCullagh travelled to Natalie's home in Lurgan on the night of Sunday 18 December, the week before Christmas," he said. "Here, he carried out a sustained and shockingly violent attack, which took Natalie's life and that of her unborn son."

Authorities believe McCullagh then went home, before returning to the victim's residence 24 hours later, "whereupon, pretending to have just discovered the tragic scene," contacted emergency services.

"Here, and for the weeks that followed, he masqueraded as a distraught and caring partner," said police.

"McCullagh had devised an alibi, seemingly livestreaming for six hours on a social media platform at the time of Natalie's murder," the statement continued. "In reality, he had walked some distance from his home and taken a bus to Lurgan – all the while concealing his appearance – in order to carry out his attack."

Per BBC, McNally's ex-boyfriend took the stand during the trial, to proclaim his own innocence. "There was no evidence that he was involved in this at all. All of the evidence pointed to McCullagh," added McGuinness.

McCullagh was found guilty after a five-week trial.

Still, "a loving family are left with unimaginable heartache," said police. "They have lost their beloved Natalie and the baby boy they so dearly wanted to welcome into their family."

"Somehow, amidst their sorrow, they have managed to show the most incredible dignity and strength, right throughout our investigation," they concluded. "Their kindness is in stark contrast to the cruelty, and calculated web of deceit spun by McCullagh."

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 3, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published June 3, 2026 at 8:44 AM.