Steve Cash, the 40-year-old YouTube star behind the Talking Kitty Cat video series, has died on Thursday morning by suicide after a long battle with mental illness.
His wife, Celia DeCosta Cash, has confirmed the news on social media. Nampa Police Department in Idaho does not believe that foul play was involved in the incident after receiving a call to his home. The cause of death is a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Celia wrote on her Facebook page: “This is so hard. I’m not even sure what to say, or for that matter, what to do. I just lost my best friend, my sidekick, my lover, my mentor, my absolute everything, this morning. I’m so sad to say, my husband, Steve Cash took his own life this morning 4/16/2020. It hurts me to share this. Please understand, give the family time to grieve, but know that Steve is no longer in pain.”
Thanks to videos of conversations with his cat, Sylvester, Steve became famous on the Internet nine years ago, but the YouTube channel was launched in 2007.
His most popular video reached over 17 million views on the video-sharing platform. The second one is at over 14 million views, and his channel has close to 2.5 million subscribers, and most of them are devastated by the news.
The Internet sensation was very open about his battle with mental health issues. In September, after supporters noticed that he had been more active online, many thought he had been hacked.
He eventually told a commenter: “Nah, just bipolar. I’m on a manic up right now. When I go back into depression I’ll vacate everything.”
In a Facebook post, he had also said: “My bipolar is in a full low swing. I want so badly to finish the videos I’m working on, but depression is making it nearly impossible. It won’t last forever, and eventually, I’ll be just as active as I can be! But for now, I’m kind of stuck with my thoughts. Btw, I rarely ever get online during depressions so this feels like a positive step for me.”
The musician and animal lover posted his last video, Talking Kitty Cat 69 – Sylvester Goes To Court, on December 30. It amassed over 3 million views.
His fans are mourning the loss online. One of them wrote: “Rest in peace, man. You helped me not take my own life as a kid… I’m so sorry you succumbed to those thoughts. I love you, man ❤❤❤❤.”
A second supporter chimed in: “Attention random Gibsons. I will forever miss you, Steve, that energetic voice, that enthusiasm and happiness that always kept back the shadows in your life. May your soul rest in peace, and your fur babies are always protected by your family.”
The devoted followers will keep his memory alive.
Please call the toll-free 24-hour hotline of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255), if you or someone you know needs help.
