Valorant community mourns as Team Vitality’s pro player Karel “Twisten” Ašenbrener passes away at age of 19

“If you are feeling disheartened, that you are somehow not enough, set your heart ablaze.”

Valorant community mourns as Team Vitality’s pro player Karel “Twisten” Ašenbrener passes away at age of 19

The French Valorant esports team, Team Vitality, has confirmed that their pro player, Karel “Twisten” Ašenbrener, has passed away. The Czech player joined the team in late 2022 after Riot Games announced the team franchising system. Twisten last competed in the lower bracket quarterfinal of VCT EMEA playoffs against NAVI, in which he fought for his team.

The org took it to Twitter and announced the untimely demise of the bright star. They wrote,

“We are heartbroken to share with you that our VALORANT player Karel “Twisten” Ašenbrener passed away last night. We are deeply saddened by this devastating loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends in this difficult time. “The whole Team Vitality organization is devastated by this news, and we will be stopping all communication for the rest of the day.”

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Related: Sentinels’ Valorant streamer SicK apologizes for past behavior and commits to therapy

Team Vitality’s explosive duelist Twisten is no more

Valorant community mourns as Team Vitality's pro player Karel "Twisten" Ašenbrener passes away at age of 19
Image via Twitter

Even though the org didn’t give the reason for Twisten’s passing away, the team’s coach Gorilla took it to Twitter and revealed that he committed s*icide. He wrote,

“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. Words can not describe the grief or emptiness I’m feeling right now. I loved him and forever will.”

Gorilla also quoted a line from Twisten‘s favorite show which Twisten used to say to him to cheer coach up,

“If you are feeling disheartened, that you are somehow not enough, set your heart ablaze.”

Twisten a few months back after losing to Leviatán at VCT LOCK//IN revealed that he has been dealing with depression. He missed the beginning of the post-match press conference and explained his absence on Twitter. He said,

“My depression escalated quickly after Red Bull when we had holidays as a team and everyone returned to their home country for Christmas and New Year. I don’t know if people saw it at the event here at the Lock/In, but over Christmas, I did bad things to myself. I self-harmed and was in a bad situation for a few days and was considering ending it all but my dad saved me.”

Fans all around the world come together to pay Homage to Twisten

Valorant teams, pro players, and fans all paid respect to the long-lost soul.

Twisten’s passing serves as a sobering reminder that mental health problems are significant and genuine. Remember that you are not alone if you or someone you know is thinking of harming themselves or taking their own life. Speak with a mental health professional, a hotline, or a close friend or family member.

Suicide Prevention Helpline 1-800-273-8255 (USA)

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