The family of Natalie McNally, who was murdered by her YouTuber boyfriend Stephen McCullagh, are reportedly re-traumatized by his appeal against the 31-year sentence he received for her killing. McCullagh was found guilty of murdering McNally on December 18, 2022, and subsequently jailed for 31 years.
McCullagh concocted a plan to cover his crime by pre-recording a fake Grand Theft Auto livestream titled 'No Time To Die.' During the staged stream, he falsely claimed it was Sunday and that the chat function was malfunctioning, all while he was reportedly traveling to McNally's home to commit the murder. The court heard that he engaged in a "brutal and frenzied attack" on McNally. Following the murder, he made a distress call to emergency services approximately a day later, claiming to have discovered her body.
Initially, police considered McCullagh a suspect but later ruled him out. His arrest and charge for murder occurred in February 2023 after investigators determined the livestream alibi was fabricated. McCullagh has consistently denied the murder, and he has now lodged an appeal against his sentence.
Natalie's brother, Declan McNally, criticized McCullagh's appeal, stating it was unsurprising given the murderer's past actions. He described the ongoing legal process as a "completely re-traumatising" experience for the family, who have had to endure repeated emotional distress. "We shouldn't have to be so strong again and again and again," he told BBC Radio Ulster.
Declan McNally added that the murderer has "not shown any remorse, no regret, no responsibility," and expressed astonishment at his attempt to reduce his sentence. He asserted that if the sentence is to be reconsidered, it should be increased.
During the sentencing in June, the judge characterized the murder as "cold-blooded and calculated." In an effort to further conceal his involvement, McCullagh reportedly attempted to frame McNally's ex-boyfriend and sought comfort from her family, maintaining his pretense of innocence. He even attended her wake on Christmas Day and a public rally in her memory, where he was referred to as her "loving partner."
Evidence suggests McCullagh secretly recorded conversations within McNally's family home by intentionally leaving his mobile phone behind. Prosecutors indicated this was done to ascertain if the family suspected him or had discussed the police investigation. His YouTube channel, which had 37,000 followers, hosted the fake livestream until his conviction in March.
The trial judge described the fake livestream as an "integral" part of McCullagh's plan. It emerged during the trial that McNally had been in contact with other men, and had slept with a former boyfriend in October 2022, two months after she began dating McCullagh. Prosecutors suggested that discovering messages from other men may have been a motive for the murder. It was also noted that McCullagh had a history of assault against a former girlfriend after she shared intimate images with another man.
The Public Prosecution Service in Northern Ireland confirmed it had been notified of the appeal against McCullagh's sentence.