The tragic case of Gannon Stauch, the 11-year-old boy murdered by his stepmother, Letecia Stauch, in Colorado in 2020, has been compounded by a new wave of outrage. A YouTuber, known as “zavgirl,” has sparked fury and disgust by posting Gannon’s autopsy photos on Patreon, charging people $3 for access.
Michael Allen, the district attorney who prosecuted Letecia Stauch, expressed his revulsion at the YouTuber’s actions, calling them “disgusting” and “beyond the pale.” He emphasized the lack of any scientific merit in publishing the photos, contrary to the YouTuber’s claims.
Allen highlighted the meticulous care taken during the trial to shield the family from the full horror of the autopsy photos. He stressed that the images shown to the jury were carefully selected and redacted, focusing solely on Gannon’s injuries. The YouTuber’s decision to publish the photos in their entirety, without any sensitivity, has been met with widespread condemnation.
The case, already deeply disturbing due to its horrific nature, has been further marred by this exploitation. Allen expressed his concern for the family, who are being re-victimized by this callous act. He emphasized the importance of Gannon’s dignity and respect, even in death, which this act directly violates.
The district attorney also raised concerns about the potential criminal liability of distributing autopsy photos, especially those of a child, and the possibility of them being used for nefarious purposes. He revealed that he has encouraged the family to seek legal counsel in Florida, where the autopsy was performed and the photos were released, to explore avenues for recourse and potentially have the photos removed from circulation.
This situation underscores the challenges of controlling sensitive information in the digital age. Once something is online, it becomes nearly impossible to erase its presence completely. Allen emphasized this point, urging caution about what is shared online, as retracting information once it’s out is incredibly difficult.
The YouTuber’s actions have been widely condemned as exploitative and deeply disrespectful to Gannon’s memory. This case serves as a grim reminder of the potential consequences of seeking notoriety and profit from tragedy.
