Stephen McCullagh, a content creator from Northern Ireland, stands accused of brutally stabbing his pregnant partner, Natalie McNally.
According to BBC, the unfortunate incident occurred in her Lurgan home on December 18, 2022.
This true crime story has not only shocked the public but also highlighted the cunning lengths some individuals go to evade justice.
Let's get into it.
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Stephen McCullagh |
Who is Stephen McCullagh?
Stephen McCullagh, a 32-year-old man from Lisburn, Northern Ireland, was a known figure in the local media industry and an active content creator on YouTube.
With approximately 37,000 subscribers on his channel, McCullagh primarily streamed gaming content, gaining a modest following for his videos.
McCullagh’s personal life, however, painted a different picture.
At the time of the murder, he was in a relationship with Natalie McNally, a 32-year-old woman who was 15 weeks pregnant with his child.
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Natalie McNally |
What Did McCullagh Do?
On December 18, 2022, Stephen McCullagh carried out a premeditated and brutal attack on his pregnant girlfriend, Natalie McNally, in her home in Lurgan, Northern Ireland.
Natalie, who was 15 weeks pregnant, was alone in her house that evening when McCullagh arrived.
Once inside the house, McCullagh viciously attacked Natalie, stabbing her multiple times, as reported by BBC.
The assault was violent and deliberate, leaving little chance for her or her unborn child to survive.
After the attack, he reportedly left the property, leaving Natalie’s body behind.
The next day, when Natalie’s family discovered her body, McCullagh presented himself as a grieving boyfriend, even offering to assist the family in their time of distress.
In a chilling effort to cover his tracks, McCullagh devised a complex alibi.
On the night of the murder, McCullagh set up a live stream on his YouTube channel, where he regularly shared gaming content.
The stream appeared to show him playing Grand Theft Auto in real-time.
For six hours, his audience believed he was playing Grand Theft Auto, meanwhile, it was all a lie for an elaborate cover-up.
He had reportedly planned the murder with precision, ensuring that he would create a convincing alibi for himself.
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Natalie McNally |
The Investigation: How Was He McCullagh Caught?
On December 19, 2022, Natalie’s father found her lifeless body in her Lurgan home and immediately contacted the police.
It was evident from the scene that Natalie had been violently attacked, as she suffered multiple stab wounds.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) quickly launched a criminal investigation into her murder.
Given the circumstances, detectives turned their attention to her personal relationships, including her boyfriend, Stephen McCullagh.
Initially, McCullagh presented himself as a grieving partner, attending vigils for Natalie and expressing condolences to her family.
However, criminal investigators became suspicious due to inconsistencies in his behavior and alibi.
McCullagh claimed that he was live-streaming a gaming session on YouTube from his home on the night of the murder, seemingly placing him far away from the crime scene.
However, forensic analysis of revealed that the live stream he referenced as his alibi had been pre-recorded several days earlier.
This discovery dismantled his claim and positioned him as a key suspect in the case.
Additionally, during the alleged live stream, McCullagh didn't interact with his viewers claiming he was having "technical problems"
Further investigation uncovered even more incriminating evidence.
CCTV footage from the area captured McCullagh’s movements on the night of Natalie’s murder.
He was seen traveling to and from her home, contradicting his initial claims of being elsewhere.
Another damning piece of evidence came to light when it was revealed that McCullagh had secretly placed a recording device in Natalie’s family home after her death.
This disturbing act was intended to monitor conversations and assess the progress of the investigation, as he sought to ensure that no one suspected his involvement in Natalie’s murder.
This highlighted his manipulative tendencies and further implicated him.
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Stephen McCullagh |
On January 31, 2023, weeks after Natalie’s murder, McCullagh was arrested.
He was formally charged with the murder of Natalie McNally and their unborn child.
Stephen McCullagh is scheduled to stand trial on May 6, 2025.
He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In September 2024, McCullagh was denied bail, with the judge citing concerns over his potential to interfere with the justice process.
The trial is expected to address the evidence against McCullagh, including the alleged premeditation and the falsified alibi involving a pre-recorded live stream.
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