COPS are probing the death of a TikTok star who became a social media sensation thanks to videos of her singing to strangers.
Keeley Thornton, a 34-year-old woman from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, was a well-loved figure in her community. She was frequently captured on video by passersby singing a rendition of the club classic “Freed from Desire.”
In addition to her impromptu performances, she would often befriend intoxicated university students. Videos of her singing Nelly Furtado’s “I’m Like a Bird” garnered as many as 800,000 views online.
Tragically Keeley, known online as “Sheffield Keeley”, died in hospital on Tuesday.
She was found unconscious in the Arundel Gate area of the city at around 6.15pm.
A 47-year-old woman was on suspicion of administering a noxious substance and released on bail.
A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said Keeley’s death is currently being treated as “unexplained.”
Tim Renshaw, chief executive of the South Yorkshire city’s Archer Project, claimed she was “exploited” by social media users.
He told the BBC: “Just for likes, that’s what it comes down to. They exploited her just for likes.”
According to Mr. Renshaw, the issue that troubled him the most was the voyeuristic nature of these recordings. He noted that while people would film Keeley and praise her talent, they seemed to appreciate her more for her entertainment value than for her humanity.
“She needed love and support, not someone taking videos and posting them online.”
A spokesperson from TikTok said the platform had reviewed videos and “removed those found to violate our policies”.
Tributes have been paid to Keeley after her death by locals who interacted with her in the city centre.
Mart Donnelly, 29, described her as “a ray of sunshine”, adding: “Every time I used to see Keeley in town, she was a joy of sunshine.
“There wasn’t ever a moment she was unhappy. It’s so tragic what’s happened to her and she will be deeply missed by so many people.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up by Cherie Lowe, who said Keeley had a “beautiful heart” and “will now be at peace”.
She said: “She is now at peace, fly like a bird. She had a beautiful heart, anyone who knew the real Keeley knows this.”
A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “We were made aware by the ambulance service of a woman unconscious on Arundel Gate in Sheffield city centre.
“Officers attended and the woman, 34, was found to be receiving treatment at the scene.
“She was conveyed to hospital by paramedics but was sadly pronounced dead on arrival.
“Her death is currently being treated as unexplained. Her family has been notified.
“A scene was established, which was later removed, and a 47-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of administering a noxious substance.
“She has since been released on police bail as enquiries continue.”
A spokesperson for TikTok said: “Our Community Guidelines set out what is and isn’t allowed on TikTok.
“This includes policies on bullying and harassment, which we do not allow on our platform.
“Tens of thousands of talented safety professionals work alongside technology to help keep TikTok safe, including by identifying and removing content and accounts that violate our Community Guidelines.
“We also encourage our community members to use the tools we provide on TikTok to report any content or account they believe violates our Community Guidelines.”
Donate to the fundraiser here.
