In 2020, YouTube saw a rise of channels feeding on the trend of combining genres to build new and innovative content. One of those sub-types was videos featuring women applying make-up makeup while talking through the sometimes-grizzly scenarios of true crime, abuse, and kidnapping.

These channels found success and capitalized on the vast history of criminal intent. Most focused on well-known cases, such as Jack the Ripper, the Zodiac Killer, and Jon Benet Ramsey. However, as the popularity of these channels grew, some creators ventured away from the unknown and even crossed lines to find new content for their viewers.

Bennet Hasley, a YouTuber hosting the channel Crimeface, posted a distress signal to her viewers as unique content dwindled and her ability to research was limited. Ms. Hasley asked for those watching her channel who had committed a murder to reach out to her with details of the crime, so it could then become a narrative to craft for likes and subscribers.

Ms. Hasley received hundreds of responses, leading to the capture of 13 wanted criminals and solving 24 unsolved homicides. Unfortunately, the stories have not stopped coming into her inbox. She has also found herself in the crosshairs of sinister viewers who fear their witnesses will reach out to her. Ms. Hasley has found herself in police protection and will remain there for the immediate future.

While Ms. Hasley’s efforts were beneficial to the authorities, another YouTuber, Camille Hofswright, proprietor of the S/Lash Channel, took her desire of content creation to an opposite extreme. After making 1,264 videos, securing 4 million subscribers, she was encouraged by her success.

Ms. Hofswright took matters into her own hands though. She pulled her influence from the serial and spree killers she had studied for her videos and successfully killed seven people in her hometown. She concluded her YouTube channel by showcasing each of the crimes as unsolved mysteries close to home. She garnered much support of those in her online community, but it was quickly revealed when she posted more details than were previously released about each crime. When being escorted from her studio in handcuffs, the YouTuber cried to the public gathered, “Like and subscribe!”