Esports star Karel Asenbrener, known by his handle “Twisten,” died Tuesday shortly after posting cryptic tweets. He was 19 years old.
Asenbrener’s gaming squad, Team Vitality, announced the “devastating” news on Wednesday. “Our first thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends in this difficult time,” they wrote in a statement. “Rest in peace Karel.”
Asenbrener, a world-class “Valorant” player, died shortly after cryptically tweeting “Good night.”
Harry “Gorilla” Mepham, a Vitality coach, said Asenbrener had died by suicide.
“I woke up this morning to the news of one of my closest friends, someone who genuinely felt as if he was my brother, taking his own life,” Mepham wrote on Twitter. “Words can not describe the grief or emptiness I’m feeling right now. I loved him and forever will.”
The Czech Esports player had been open in the past about his depression and self-harm, including discussing earlier this year how his condition had improved after spending time at a mental health facility.
“After that I had a new fresh start and was able to thankfully get my s*** together,” Asenbrener wrote in February. “It was hardest time for me as a person and as a professional esport athlete. But after that time, I knew why I’m playing games and what my team means to me.”
Team Vitality also shared a message encouraging anyone dealing with mental health issues to seek treatment.
“Mental health continues to be an extremely important topic for everyone in esports and in life.,” the team wrote on Twitter. “If you are struggling please reach out to someone to talk, it is never too late.”