YouTuber Accused of Murder Described Finding Pregnant Girlfriend's Body to Family at Wake
The trial of Stephen McCullagh, a YouTuber accused of murdering his pregnant girlfriend, has heard how he allegedly told her grieving family at her wake about discovering her body. Natalie McNally's parents and two brothers gave evidence at Belfast Crown Court, recounting what McCullagh said during the emotional gathering on Christmas Day.
Family's Account of Wake Conversation
Noel McNally, Natalie's father, testified that McCullagh delivered "one long story" about the events leading to finding her body. "I think he started to tell us he was doing the gaming, to when he found the body – it was just one long story, I don't think anyone interrupted him during that time," Mr. McNally told the court.
According to the family's evidence, McCullagh said he became concerned when 32-year-old Ms. McNally, who was 15 weeks pregnant, didn't reply to his texts. He claimed to have purchased a bottle of Lucozade on his way to her Silverwood Green home in Lurgan, thinking she might be experiencing diabetic hypoglycemia or was angry with him for drinking.
Conflicting Accounts of Events
Defence barrister John Kearney KC challenged the accuracy of the family's recollection. He suggested McCullagh never actually texted Ms. McNally from her house asking her to come to the window, but may have said he intended to do so. Noel McNally firmly rejected this possibility, stating: "No. He said he texted Natalie to see if she was ok and she didn't reply."
The court heard conflicting details about what happened when McCullagh arrived at the property. While the family recalled him describing seeing Ms. McNally's Alsatian dog River standing up before finding her body at the top of the stairs, the defence presented alternative sequences involving the dog running out and being called back in.
Police Treatment and Suspicions
Mr. McNally revealed that police had asked the family to speak with McCullagh after his release from custody, as authorities had informed them he was "no longer a suspect." McCullagh allegedly told the family he didn't want to cooperate with police due to how he was treated during his arrest.
"He said that while at the police station, he was 'stripped', his genitals were swabbed and he was put in a cell for hours," Mr. McNally testified. Bernadette McNally, Natalie's mother, corroborated that McCullagh claimed two female police officers had stripped him and he wasn't treated "well."
Alternative Theories and Phone Evidence
Declan McNally testified that McCullagh "mentioned several times" that Ms. McNally's phone would ring when they were in bed together, and she would hang up immediately. McCullagh allegedly said Ms. McNally claimed her ex-boyfriend was "always harassing" her.
The court heard that McCullagh suggested to the family that he believed Ms. McNally's ex-boyfriend might have killed her in a rage after learning about her pregnancy. Defence barrister Mr. Kearney stated the defendant "doesn't recall this" but also "doesn't dispute it."
Media Monitoring and Emotional Outburst
Noel McNally described an "emotional outburst" during which McCullagh allegedly expressed frustration about media coverage of the case. "He said if he was working he would ensure that the story was on top," Mr. McNally recalled, adding that McCullagh believed it should be an "international story" and his "heart sank" when he noticed it dropping down news websites' "most interest" sections.
Brendan McNally provided additional details about the timeline, testifying that McCullagh said he had texted Ms. McNally at 6pm on Sunday to say he was about to start his livestream, then messaged her throughout Monday without receiving responses.
Trial Proceedings Continue
The evidence presented on Tuesday was published after the judge lifted reporting restrictions on Wednesday. Stephen McCullagh, 36, from Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, continues to deny murdering Natalie McNally, who was stabbed in her home on December 18, 2022, just one week before Christmas.
The trial at Belfast Crown Court continues as more evidence is expected to be presented in the coming days.
