Yesterday, Team Vitality announced that VALORANT professional player Karel “Twisten” Ašenbrener died at 19.
VALORANT pro player passes away at 19 years old
In an official statement, Team Vitality informed all fans of the team and the VALORANT community of the terrible news that Twisten had passed away on June 6. According to the tweet by Vitality assistant coach Harry “Gorilla” Mepham, the player had taken his own life.
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.
I’ll leave this with a quote from his… https://t.co/5oO7IlUqTl
— Vitality Gorilla (@gorillaVL) June 7, 2023
In the statement released by Team Vitality, the team wrote that they were heartbroken over the devastating loss. The team also sends its condolences to all of Twisten’s family and friends who are going through a very painful time.
On the other hand, the team informed us that all the organization’s members were in shock and would stop all communications yesterday.
Rest in Peace Karel ❤️ pic.twitter.com/F3JjY9aCef
— Team Vitality 🐝 (@TeamVitality) June 7, 2023
Twisten’s career
Karel “Twisten” Ašenbrener started his career as a professional VALORANT player in September 2020 with the BIG team. Then in November 2022, the player joined Team Vitality. Twisten participated in wearing the Vitality jersey in the 2023 VCT EMEA league and made his international debut at the VCT LOCK//IN held in Brazil.
The Czech player revealed at the Red Bull Home Ground in December 2022 that he had missed the start of Vitality’s press conference because he had badly taken his team’s loss to Leviathan. In addition, he claimed that he was going through a very difficult time in his personal life. At the time, the 19-year-old reported that he had been struggling with depression for two years and that the VALORANT community had provided him with unwavering support.
On the other hand, the Czech player during the VCT LOCK//IN had pledged to donate $25 to a charity for every Shorty frag in the competition. After the tournament, Twisten donated $1,545 to the Hunderettung Europa organization, which works to change the lives of cats and dogs.
Twisten’s teammates and friends share memories with the player
Following the sad news of Twisten’s passing, some of his friends have shared memories with the player. Santeri “BONECOLD” Sassi has commented that Twisten was the most genuine person he had ever met. On the other hand, Micha “MOLSI” cki has posted on Twitter that not only had he lost a teammate, but he had also lost a friend and brother.
While Tomas “Destrian” Linikas describes Twisten as a man with infinite potential, a unique personality, and a very noble heart. In addition, Destrian comments that Twisten made everyone around him feel unique even when he was going through his most difficult moments. On the other hand, Destrian comments that he finds it hard to accept the death of his great friend and that no one will ever be able to replace him.