Latest / Murder Files Unsealed
YouTuber hit with $17.5M verdict in defamation case over Kiely Rodni true crime video
Following a 2026 federal trial in Nashville, YouTuber and musician Ryan Upchurch was ordered to pay $17.5 million for defaming the family of the late Kiely Rodni. The lawsuit arose after Upchurch published a viral video baselessly claiming the sixteen-year-old’s accidental drowning was a fabricated hoax designed to scam donors. A jury determined that these false allegations caused the grieving family intentional emotional distress and significant reputational harm. This landmark verdict serves as a critical legal precedent regarding creator accountability and the spreading of unverified…
The skinny
The skinny isn't ready yet — notes appear once the transcript is processed.