YouTuber ordered to pay $17.5 million to dad of teenager after spreading lie about her death
A YouTuber name Ryan Upchurch has been ordered to pay millions to the family of Kiely Rodni, a girl who died in 2022 at the age of 16, after a jury found he'd spread lies about her death.
In August 2022, Kiely had disappeared from a party in California. Later that month her body and car were found, with the Coroners Division of the Nevada County Sheriff's Office ruling her death an accident by drowning.
They said their ruling had been based on the pathologist's report and there being no other evidence to suggest someone else killed her.
According to court documents Upchurch started making videos about Kiely Rodni after she went missing where he suggested 'theories' that other YouTubers might be responsible for her disappearance.
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After the 16-year-old's body was found he posted videos offering condolences to her family, then released more accusing a 'fake police department' of mocking up her existence and death, then claimed Kiely and her family were 'not real' as he alleged they were made up as a 'scam' to get GoFundMe donations.
In a video that is now unavailable he said: "Everyone telling me I should be ashamed of myself, how dare you, that, 'oh, this is faked' - show me that it's real. Show me proof of Kiely Rodni."
Kiely's father Daniel Rodni and grandfather David Robertson sued Upchurch for 'reputational injury, financial losses, and emotional distress', and on Monday (18 May) a jury ruled in their favour with the YouTuber ordered to pay $17.5 million (£13 million) to the plaintiffs.
Of that amount $11 million will go to Kiely's grandfather Robertson and the remainder will be paid to her dad.
Speaking to People, legal representatives for Kiely's family said: "This verdict stands as a powerful reminder that using a massive online platform to spread false claims about a grieving family has real consequences.
"Now, the family can finally move forward in peace and focus on what matters most — honouring the memory of Kiely Rodni."
A legal representative for Upchurch also released a statement, and said their client had no comment at this time.
Tia Bailiff said on behalf of the YouTuber: "The freedom of speech is one of the most fundamental rights that is necessary for every free society, and that right is one that needs protecting now more than ever.
"While Mr. Upchurch is a staunch advocate for the United States Constitution and the rights that so many veterans fought and died for, Mr. Upchurch can be that advocate and also feel sympathy for a family in their time of grief.
"It is in this spirit that Mr. Upchurch would like to extend his heartfelt sympathy to the Rodni, Robertson, and Nieman families.
"Mr. Upchurch asks that the family be given respect and time to grieve and move forward with their lives, and would ask that the family be allowed to heal in peace."
Joe Harker