Child whose dad killed himself left 'traumatised' by YouTuber Logan Paul's controversial video

A mum who lost her husband to suicide in 2009 has hit out at YouTuber Logan Paul after her 13-year-old son was left “traumatised” by his controversial vlog that featured the body of a suicide victim.

Logan sparked immense backlash with the now-deleted upload, which showed a body hanging in Japan’s Aokigahara Forest, a famous suicide spot, at the weekend.

Joan Conrick, who used a pseudonym to protect her family’s identity, has now reached out to Logan in a powerful open letter to the vlogger, revealing that her teen son was a fan of his.

Posting online, Croydon-based Joan shared: “My husband took his life eight years ago, a year after the financial crash (in 2008).

“He wasn’t found immediately, so my children have always been disturbed by his suicide.

“My 13-year-old son, like many kids his age, loves following all the popular YouTubers.

“I assumed that the likes of Logan Paul was fairly innocent, even though much of his content is obnoxious. But I try to be an easygoing parent.”

She continued that her son had the “hardest time” coping with his father’s death, adding that he would blame himself for the suicide and had been “in and out of therapy”.

Ms. Conrick added: “He had disagreed with his father about something on the day his father walked out of the house for the last time.

“Last night he came to me and described how Logan Paul had uploaded [a video of] someone who had hanged themselves.

“I assumed that it was maybe an extremely vulgar prank. He kept saying how he could see how the hands were all purple.

“So now I am worried for him on several levels. I am worried he will regain his fixation with the concept of suicide, especially as he has seen a popular figure consider it to be a joke.

“Already my children struggle to explain to others how their father died, when they ask. Suicide isn’t an easy thing to explain.

“So I am extremely upset that so many young impressionable children saw Logan Paul make light (and laugh at) a suicide victim.

“Children who could potentially make jokes at the expense of children like mine – because they saw a celebrity make it cool.

“And for children who have lost a parent/sibling/loved one to suicide, their pain has been made into a joke.”

She went on to urge Logan to “meet with families who have experienced suicide”, also saying that he should “bow out of the limelight” so that he can “grow up”.

Logan issued an apology after his video was heavily criticised, with the footage zooming in on the deceased body as Logan asked his friend: “You never stand next to a dead guy?” before they both laughed.

Logan has over 15 million subscribers on YouTube and his response to the backlash was also slammed, with Game Of Thrones actress Sophie Turner calling him out for the “self-praising apology”.

In his statement, Logan wrote: “This is a first for me. I’ve never faced criticism like this before, because I’ve never made a mistake like this before.

“…I didn’t do it for views. I get views. I did it because I thought I could make a positive ripple on the internet, not cause a monsoon of negativity.

“…I’m often reminded of how big a reach I truly have and which great power comes great responsibility… for the first time in my life I’m regretful to say I handled that power incorrectly. It won’t happen again.”

Yahoo Celeb UK have reached out to Logan for further comment.

The Samaritans are available for 24/7 help and support on 116 123 or visit their website for further guidance.

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