A YouTuber who faked a gaming live stream to create an alibi while killing his pregnant girlfriend has been sentenced to at least 31 years in prison.The ruling comes after a court hearing in Belfast ruled that he had carried out a “brutal and frenzied attack”.36-year-old Stephen McCullagh from Lisburn, Ireland showed no emotion as Judge Kenny handed down a life sentence with a minimum of 31 years. The jury had already convicted him of murdering his partner, 32-year-old Natalie McNally.McNally was 15 weeks pregnant and was murdered at her home in Lurgan, County Armagh, in December 2022. McCullagh carefully planned the attack and later tried to cover his tracks using a fake online broadcast.He told investigators that he was streaming video games on his YouTube channel at the time of the killing. However, the six-hour live broadcast was not live at all. It was pre-recorded several days in advance and is scheduled to be played as if it were happening in real time. The judge said the fake broadcast was a key part of the murder plan.In the wake of the murder, McCullagh also tried to direct suspicion towards Ms McNally’s former partner.
He also maintained contact with her family, presenting himself as a mourner as they mourned her death. He even spent time with her relatives after the murder, including in its aftermath, where he appeared supportive while concealing his involvement.The judge said McCullagh was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that Ms McNally’s face had been placed in a dog bowl after the attack, describing it as an act of humiliation. Kenny told McCullagh that his actions were “brutal and senseless”.McCullagh stood quietly as the sentence was read. The judge said the 31-year minimum could not reflect the value of McAnally’s life or the life of her unborn child, named Dean.After the sentencing, McNally’s father, Noel, said the family felt they were “serving a life sentence” after their loss.“For the past three and a half years, our family has experienced unimaginable pain and grief over the loss of our beautiful Natalie,” he said.“With respect, we now ask for some privacy as we continue to grieve,” he added.
