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Logan Paul: YouTuber apologises after posting video showing corpse in 'suicide forest' | Logan Paul: YouTuber apologises after posting video showing corpse in 'suicide forest' |
(about 20 hours later) | |
YouTube star Logan Paul has apologised after uploading a video that appeared to show the body of someone who had taken their own life. | YouTube star Logan Paul has apologised after uploading a video that appeared to show the body of someone who had taken their own life. |
The clip, which was reportedly viewed millions of times before being deleted, showed the vlogger and his friends uncovering what they said was a dead body in Japan’s Aokigahara Forest, a notorious spot known locally as the "suicide forest". | The clip, which was reportedly viewed millions of times before being deleted, showed the vlogger and his friends uncovering what they said was a dead body in Japan’s Aokigahara Forest, a notorious spot known locally as the "suicide forest". |
“I hate to say this, but I think there’s someone hanging right there, I’m not even f***ing kidding,” Paul tells friends during the 15-minute video. “Do you see it? This isn’t a f***ing joke guys, that’s a f***ing person”. | “I hate to say this, but I think there’s someone hanging right there, I’m not even f***ing kidding,” Paul tells friends during the 15-minute video. “Do you see it? This isn’t a f***ing joke guys, that’s a f***ing person”. |
The camera repeatedly cuts back to the body, including showing a close-up of the person's hands. The face is blurred out. | The camera repeatedly cuts back to the body, including showing a close-up of the person's hands. The face is blurred out. |
“Yo, are you alive?” Paul calls out when facing the corpse. “Are you f***ing with us?” | “Yo, are you alive?” Paul calls out when facing the corpse. “Are you f***ing with us?” |
The 22-year-old tells a friend to call the police, and footage later appears to show rescue services at a nearby car park. It is not clear if they are there specifically to attend to the reported suicide. | The 22-year-old tells a friend to call the police, and footage later appears to show rescue services at a nearby car park. It is not clear if they are there specifically to attend to the reported suicide. |
Paul has since deleted the footage, which was published on 31 December, after facing a wave of criticism. | Paul has since deleted the footage, which was published on 31 December, after facing a wave of criticism. |
"Let's start with this—I'm sorry," Paul wrote in a Twitter post to his 3.9 million followers. "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'm surrounded by good people and believe I make good decisions, but I'm still a human being. I can be wrong." | "Let's start with this—I'm sorry," Paul wrote in a Twitter post to his 3.9 million followers. "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'm surrounded by good people and believe I make good decisions, but I'm still a human being. I can be wrong." |
"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. That's never the intention. I intended to raise awareness for suicide and suicide prevention and while I thought “if this video saves just ONE life, it’ll be worth it,” I was misguided by shock and awe, as portrayed in the video. I still am. | "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. That's never the intention. I intended to raise awareness for suicide and suicide prevention and while I thought “if this video saves just ONE life, it’ll be worth it,” I was misguided by shock and awe, as portrayed in the video. I still am. |
“I do this sh*t every day. I’ve made a 15 minute TV show EVERY SINGLE DAY for a past 460+days. One may understand that it’s easy to get caught up in the moment without fully weighing the possible ramifications. | “I do this sh*t every day. I’ve made a 15 minute TV show EVERY SINGLE DAY for a past 460+days. One may understand that it’s easy to get caught up in the moment without fully weighing the possible ramifications. |
"I'm often reminded of how big of a reach I truly have and with 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." | "I'm often reminded of how big of a reach I truly have and with 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." |
But Paul’s apology itself attracted criticism from social media users and celebrities alike. | But Paul’s apology itself attracted criticism from social media users and celebrities alike. |
Game of Thrones actor Sophie Turner branded the YouTube star an “idiot” for “mocking” the deceased. | Game of Thrones actor Sophie Turner branded the YouTube star an “idiot” for “mocking” the deceased. |
Breaking Bad actor Aaron Paul wrote: “How dare you! You disgust me. I can't believe that so many young people look up to you. So sad. Hopefully this latest video woke them up... Suicide is not a joke.” | Breaking Bad actor Aaron Paul wrote: “How dare you! You disgust me. I can't believe that so many young people look up to you. So sad. Hopefully this latest video woke them up... Suicide is not a joke.” |
A YouTube spokesperson told The Independent: "Our hearts go out to the family of the person featured in the video. YouTube prohibits violent or gory content posted in a shocking, sensational or disrespectful manner. | |
"If a video is graphic, it can only remain on the site when supported by appropriate educational or documentary information and in some cases it will be age-gated." | |
Aokigahara is a forest on the northwestern flank of Mount Fuji with an historical reputation as a home to ghosts of the dead in Japanese mythology. | Aokigahara is a forest on the northwestern flank of Mount Fuji with an historical reputation as a home to ghosts of the dead in Japanese mythology. |
Police records showed that 247 people tried to kill themselves in the forest in 2010, according to The Japan Times, Of them, 54 were successful. | Police records showed that 247 people tried to kill themselves in the forest in 2010, according to The Japan Times, Of them, 54 were successful. |
Logan Paul and YouTube have been contacted for comment. | Logan Paul and YouTube have been contacted for comment. |
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress you can call Samaritans on their 24-hour helpline on 116 123 in the UK or visit the website at www.samaritans.org | If you or someone you know is in emotional distress you can call Samaritans on their 24-hour helpline on 116 123 in the UK or visit the website at www.samaritans.org |