YouTuber facing backlash for charging viewers to see autopsy photo of murdered child

Content warning: this story contains references to child abuse, murder.

True crime YouTuber Zav Girl has faced heavy backlash for charging her viewers to see autopsy photos of 11-year-old Gannon Stauch, who was tragically killed by his stepmother.

In an article from media outlet Independent on 9 May 2023, stepmom Letecia Stauch murdered Gannon in what was said to be a fit of rage and jealousy. The murderer then attempted to cover her tracks before dumping the boy's body in a suitcase in Florida, United States.

On 8 May 2023, a judge in Denver, Colorado sentenced Letecia Stauch to life in prison without parole convicted of first-degree murder. It is said the photos of the murdered Gannon Stauch used as evidence in court were so brutal, that they were censored to those in attendance.

However, the true crime YouTuber in question, Zav Girl managed to obtain photos of the murdered boy via a public records request, before charging Patreon members $3 to view them. The backlash for her actions was so severe, that the Patreon account is currently deactivated by Patreon itself.

Following the backlash, Zav Girl has apologised in an unmonitised video to those she hurt, in particular the family members of Gannon Stauch. “Some people genuinely think making a video including the autopsy photos is bad and I respect their opinion and feelings,” Zav explained.

You can watch the apology video below

She continued: “Other people, like myself, think of autopsy photos and the coroner explaining them as interesting and informative and are able to view it all in a more scientific detached way.

“It's just one of those things where it depends on the person. I am not adamantly against taking down the video if people are truly unhappy with it, and I will absolutely consider doing that.

“I understand some of you have issues with me charging money on my Patreon for the video. But in this case, I spent a lot of time and worked hard putting together a video lining up the coroner's audio and descriptions along with the appropriate part of the photos she is describing and editing it together to try to make it as informative as possible for the viewer.”