Richard 'Lowtax' Kyanka, Something Awful Founder, Dies at 45

Something Awful founder Richard Kyanka, also known as Lowtax, has died aged 45, according to reports.

Kevin "Fragmaster" Bowen, a former administrator of the comedy website, returned to the internet forum to confirm Kyanka had died.

In a post shared on Wednesday, Bowen said: "I guess I should preface this by saying this isn't a joke especially since I'm posting for like the first time in 10 years or something, but I got the bad news today directly from Rich's family.

"Lowtax has passed away. I didn't ask for details. I don't know details. I don't know what the current opinion of Rich here is. Not here to answer questions, I'm sharing the news. I really hate to share this news. But there you go."

Friends also paid tribute to Kyanka on his Facebook page with many crediting him with having a huge impact on internet culture and helping shape it in the late 90s and 2000s.

According to video game blog Kotaku, Kyanka's second wife posted a message on Something Awful under the name LadyAmbien, which confirmed his death.

In the post, LadyAmbien said Kyanka had died by suicide. This has not been confirmed.

Kyanka created Something Awful in 1999 as a personal website, but it soon gained popularity and massively grew in scope.

The website is credited with helping create and shape internet culture and early memes that gained traction before the rise of YouTube and social media platforms.

It was also the platform that popularized the Slender Man horror figure, a creature with no face that wears a dark suit and slowly stalks its victims.

Something Awful was listed as number 89 in its list "100 websites that shaped the internet as we know it," by tech website Gizmodo.

Kyanka was in control of Something Awful until it was sold in October 2020, following domestic violence allegations that were leveled against him, which he denied.

According to Vice, Kyanka pleaded guilty to disturbing the peace and was fined $164.50 on October 27, 2020. The assault charge was dropped.

Something Awful is now owned by moderator and system administrator who goes by the name Jeffrey of YOSPOS, still according to Vice.

According to gaming magazine Kotaku, after Kyanka sold the website he wrote on Facebook: "I just signed away the rights to Something Awful, goodbye, good riddance."

If you have thoughts of suicide, confidential help is available for free at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Call 1-800-273-8255. The line is available 24 hours every day.