Former World of Warcraft pro Reckful dies at 31. Former World of Warcraft pro player and popular Twitch streamer Byron “Reckful” Bernstein died in his Austin, Texas, apartment on Thursday at the age of 31.
The former esports pro frequently discussed his mental health on podcasts and on his streams, in which he revealed he dealt with depression and bipolar disorder.
“We’re devastated to hear of Byron’s passing,” Twitch said in a twitter statement. “Our hearts go out to his family, friends and community. He was a streaming pioneer and helped propel the whole industry forward. The communities he cultivated in the games he played were forever changed by his relentless pursuit of excellence.
“Byron was someone who talked about his struggles to help make room for others to do the same. As we process this loss, we have to recognize that the stigma around mental health and treatment often prevents people from seeking and getting the help they need. If you’re struggling or know someone who is, there are many organizations and people who want to help.”
Bernstein was best known for his time in World of Warcraft, where he became a top player and achieved Rank 1 online for six consecutive seasons. His online skill also converted into offline competition success, with top-three finishes in a number of Major League Gaming World of Warcraft events in 2009, and a first-place finish at MLG Washington, D.C., in October 2010.
[image: Youtube]
