A YouTuber who pretended a pre-recorded video was a livestream to cover up the murder of his pregnant girlfriend is now reportedly living in fear in prison. Stephen McCullagh, 36, was sentenced to life in prison this week for the brutal killing of Natalie McNally, 32, at her home in Lurgan, Northern Ireland, on December 18, 2022. He will serve a minimum of 31 years before being eligible for parole.
Living in Terror Behind Bars
According to sources, McCullagh is being held in the hospital wing of Maghaberry Prison for his own safety, as fellow inmates have placed a target on his back. The killer, who was described as 'pompous' and 'arrogant', is said to be a 'security nightmare' and tops the 'hitlist' of dangerous criminals in the prison. A source told Sunday Life: 'That's one thing the prisoners don't like - harming innocent children. Some of the worst attacks there have been in here have been on child killers and child abusers.'
Brutal Murder and Deception
McCullagh beat, strangled, and stabbed Natalie, who was 15 weeks pregnant with his child. He then pretended a pre-recorded YouTube video titled 'Violent Night' was a livestream to create an alibi. After the murder, he attended Natalie's Christmas Day wake, eliciting sympathy from her family while trying to blame an 'abusive ex-boyfriend'. The court heard that Natalie had expressed doubts about the relationship and was in touch with an ex, which McCullagh used as a 'catalyst' for his violent plot.
Handing down the sentence, Mr Justice Kinney called McCullagh 'abhorrent' and said it was 'difficult to find words' for the brutality. 'The defendant did not just kill Natalie McNally, her unborn child also died as a result of the murderous assault,' the judge said. 'He intended to kill her and he knew that her baby would have no chance of surviving.'
Prison Life and Safety Concerns
McCullagh is being held on the Moyola hospital wing, which houses around 19 older, disabled, and high-profile inmates. Rachel Fletcher, Managing Partner at Slater Heelis, explained that prison hospitals are often used as a 'precautionary approach' to protect vulnerable criminals. 'It's not a hospital in the way people usually imagine; it's essentially a prison wing with healthcare built into it,' she said.
Despite his brazen behavior in court, where he smiled at his own jokes, McCullagh is now reportedly living in fear. A source revealed: 'He is being held on the Moyola hospital wing for his own protection. It's separated from all other residential units.'
Natalie's Legacy
Natalie, a loyal Everton fan, was remembered by her family. Her brothers Declan and Niall, along with her father Noel, traveled to Everton's new stadium to see a memorial stone laid in her honor. 'Natalie loved it, and she loved the craic,' they told the BBC. 'She went over to the matches with us, loved every time Everton played on the TV.'
