A YouTuber who faked a gaming livestream to create an alibi while murdering his pregnant girlfriend has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 31 years. The sentencing took place at a court in Belfast, where it was determined that he carried out a brutal and frenzied attack.
Details of the Crime
Stephen McCullagh, 36, from Lisburn, Ireland, showed no emotion as Justice Kinney handed down the life sentence. A jury had previously convicted him of murdering his partner, 32-year-old Natalie McNally. McNally was 15 weeks pregnant at the time of the killing, which occurred at her home in Lurgan, County Armagh, in December 2022.
Premeditated Attack and Fake Alibi
McCullagh carefully planned the attack and later attempted to cover his tracks by using a fake online broadcast. He told detectives that he had been streaming video games on his YouTube channel at the time of the killing. However, the six-hour livestream was not live; it had been pre-recorded several days earlier and scheduled to play as though it were happening in real time. The judge stated that the fake stream was a key part of the murder plan.
Attempts to Mislead Investigation
Following the killing, McCullagh also tried to direct suspicion toward McNally's ex-partner. He maintained contact with her family, presenting himself as grieving while they mourned her death. He even spent time with her relatives after the murder, including at her wake, where he appeared supportive while hiding his involvement.
Court Proceedings
The judge said he was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that McNally's face had been placed in a dog bowl after the attack, calling it an act of humiliation. Justice Kinney told McCullagh that his actions were brutal and senseless. McCullagh stood quietly as the sentence was read out. The judge noted that the 31-year minimum term could not reflect the value of McNally's life or that of her unborn child, named Dean.
Family's Reaction
Following the sentencing, McNally's father, Noel, said the family felt they were serving a life sentence after their loss. He stated, Over the past three and a half years, our family have been through unimaginable pain and grief from the loss of our beautiful Natalie. He added, With respect, we are now asking for some privacy as we continue to grieve.
