- The young player tragically took his own life on Wednesday
- He had been dealing with depression for the last two years
- The community collectively expressed their condolences and wished family and friends well
Rising VALORANT star Karel “Twisten” Ašenbrener from Team Vitality unfortunately took his own life recently after suffering from depression and self-harm behavior.
Twisten Passes Away
Sometimes, teams lose their members in the most horrible manners, and this is what recently happened to Vitality’s VALORANT squad, as they have lost Karel “Twisten” Ašenbrener, who had taken his own life. The 19-year-old’s death was announced by the esports organization on Wednesday. “We are saddened by the devastating loss, and our first thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends in this difficult time,” a statement by Vitality reads.
The young Czech player had been suffering from depression for a long time, which is most likely what led to him taking his own life. Earlier this year, Twisten had opened up about his condition and detailed his struggles in his personal life after Team Vitality’s run at Red Bull Home Ground in December.
“After Redbull, I had rough time in personal life as I said. I have been dealing with Depression for over two years now,” Twisten wrote in a Twitlonger in February this year. “My Depression escalated quickly up after Redbull when we had holidays as a team and everyone returned back to their home country for the Christmas and New Year. I don’t know if people saw it at the event here at the LOCK/IN but over Christmas I did bad things to myself.”
VALORANT Community Responds to the Tragedy
The untimely death of the rising VALORANT star naturally sent waves across the community. Both professionals and fans expressed their condolences and wished Twisten’s family and friends well. “I woke up this morning to the news of one of my closest friends, someone who genuinely felt as if he was my brother, taking his own life,” Vitality assistant coach Harry “Gorilla” Mepham wrote on Twitter. “Words can not describe the grief or emptiness I’m feeling right now. I loved him and forever will.”
Many other esports organizations also expressed condolences under Vitality’s original announcement. “Our condolences, love & strength to all those close to him. Rest in Peace,” wrote HEROIC. “We are deeply sad to hear about this. Much strength to his loved ones,” Team Heretics posted.
Twisten went on to help Team Vitality to a 5th-6th place in the VCT EMEA League recently. Unfortunately, he will not be there to attend the region’s last-chance qualifier for Valorant Champions, scheduled for July 15-23.
If you are having any suicidal thoughts, please seek help from the Suicide Prevention Helpline at 1-800-273-8255 (USA) or the Samaritans at 116-123 (UK).
