DISTRESSING video of a man committing suicide has gone viral on TikTok, sparking a scramble to block the footage from the app.
"Caring" man Ronnie McNutt, 33, broadcast his tragic death from his home last week during a Facebook live-stream that was quickly taken down.
However, sick netizens are continuing to upload versions of the horrific clip to various apps and websites days after the August 31 stream.
Here's how you can report the video to help stop it spreading any further.
How to report Ronnie McNutt death video
TikTok provides clear instructions on how to report upsetting videos that may breach their rules and regulations.
If you find a distressing clip, open the video and press the share button, tap report and follow the online instructions.
Both accounts and comments can be reported using a similar method.
There are also reports that the video is still cropping up on Facebook and Instagram.
On Facebook, you can report a photo or video that you believe violates its Community Standards by clicking or tapping on the post to expand it.
Hover over the photo or video and hit Options in the bottom right corner.
Click Find Support or Report Photo for photos or Find support or report video for videos.
Select the option that best describes the issue and follow the on-screen instructions.
On Instagram, tap the three dots above the photo or video post, tap report, and then select why you've chosen to report the post.
Who was Ronnie McNutt?
Ronnie McNutt, a former Army veteran who served in Iraq, died in Mississippi on August 31.
Mr McNutt worked for Toyota in Blue Springs, New Albany.
There are unconfirmed reports that he had lost his job and broken up with his girlfriend before his suicide.
He was a member of Celebration Church Tupelo, which confirmed his death in a post on its Facebook page on September 1.
"In the midst of a sudden tragedy that occurred last night, we grieve with the McNutt Family during this time because passing of our brother in Christ, Ronnie McNutt," church leaders said.
"Ronnie will be missed by all who loved and knew him.
"He was very caring, committed, loyal, dependable, and eccentric. He served his church faithfully and was loved by many."
What is the Ronnie McNutt video?
Distressing footage ofRonnie McNutt'ssuicide has gone viral on social media after the 33-year-old killed himself at home.
Social media sites are still scrambling to remove clips of the incident more than a week on from his death on August 31.
There are reports that the video appeared on TikTok's "For You" trending homepage.
That means it could have been viewed by millions of people.
YOU'RE NOT ALONE
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society - from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others... You're Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
There are reports that the most gruesome part of the video is being hidden inside more innocuous looking TikToks.
Many horrified app users say they saw the footage unintentionally, and have warned others to be wary.
Those who have seen the shocking video have urged other TikTok users not to click on a thumbnail of a bearded man with glasses speaking to someone on a phone, theDaily Starreports.
One Twitter user said: "If you see this guy on your For You page, please scroll up immediately.
"It's very gruesome and I highly suggest you stay away from TikTok for a while."
Another said they'd been left "shaking" after watching the "very terrifying and gory" video.
Have friends and family spoken?
One friend wrote: “Please say a prayer right now for the family of Ronnie McNutt. He just killed himself live on FB and I cannot unsee this.
"I tried but apparently it wasn’t quick enough to reach him. I wasn’t quick enough. Dear God I wish I could have gotten to him.”
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In tribute to Mr McNutt, the Celebration Church Tupelo said: “Ronnie will be missed by all who loved and knew him.
“He was very caring, committed, loyal, dependable, and eccentric. He served his church faithfully and was loved by many.
“Although events surrounding his death were tragic, we take comfort in our Creator, believing that because of Ronnie’s confession and conversion as a believer in Christ Jesus, he is currently before our loving Father.”
What are social media platforms doing about the video?
Social media firms including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter are taking down uploads of Ronnie's video.
Bosses at TikTok are banning anyone who re-uploads it.
A TikTok spokesperson said: "On Sunday night, clips of a suicide that had been livestreamed on Facebook circulated on other platforms, including TikTok.
"Our systems have been automatically detecting and flagging these clips for violating our policies against content that displays, praises, glorifies, or promotes suicide.
"We are banning accounts that repeatedly try to upload clips, and we appreciate our community members who've reported content and warned others against watching, engaging, or sharing such videos on any platform out of respect for the person and their family.
"If anyone in our community is struggling with thoughts of suicide or concerned about someone who is, we encourage them to seek support, and we provide access to hotlines directly from our app and in our Safety Centre."
A Facebook spokesperson said the company is using automated technology to stop uploads of the video on Facebook and Instagram.
"We removed the original video from Facebook last month on the day it was streamed and have used automation technology to remove copies and uploads since that time," the spokesperson said.
"Our thoughts remain with Ronnie's family and friends during this difficult time."
The Samaritans is available 24/7 via helpline 1 (800) 273-TALK. For more information, visit samaritansusa.org
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