Storm De Beul, a 22-year-old nature YouTuber known for his solo wilderness adventures across Northern Europe, has died after being caught in a snowstorm in the remote Swedish wilderness.
De Beul, who filmed himself hiking and camping in remote areas, was found dead on October 30 in Lapland after spending much of the year hiking alone in the Jokkmokk region, according to a report by the Daily Mail. His death followed a severe blizzard that struck the area the night before.
In a message to his grandmother shortly before his death, De Beul expressed optimism despite the harsh weather, saying, “It’s snowing heavily here. But don’t worry, I’ll survive, you know.” He also sent a video to a friend showing the heavy snowfall that had filled his shoes and backpack, with wind battering his tent. “Tonight, it’s going to get worse. Jesus Christ,” he said.
Prior to the trip, a friend warned De Beul about the risks, but he dismissed them at the time and wasn’t worried. His father told Belgian media “He was like that. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him scared.”
De Beul’s mother, Elisabeth Rademaker, said it was not clear why he abandoned his shelter and speculated that the storm may have forced him to move. “Trees were uprooted that night,” she explained. “Maybe his tent also blew away and he had no choice but to start walking.”
“But it was -6C, and because of the storm it even felt like -18C. His feet and lower legs were frozen,” she continued. “His hands weren’t, he might still have had his hand warmers with him.”
De Beul had been just a day’s walk from his car and on his way home when he contacted emergency services to report he was injured. However, the severe weather prevented authorities from reaching him. A helicopter was dispatched the following day, but it was too late.
De Beul had a broken nose when found, according to his mother, which suggested he sustained the injury from falling at one point.
“He must have suffered for a long time and died alone,“ his mother said. “I keep imagining his last moments. It devastates me.”
Rescuers were unable to extensively search the area De Beul was found due to the storm. His father, however, expressed a desire to recover his son’s belongings, including his camera.
“His videos are a priceless legacy for us. But now his camera is there, somewhere in the snow, full of images from his very last trek. I would love nothing more than to get it back,” his father said to Belgian news.
“Imagine if his camera and memory card were still there,” he added. “I know the chances are slim, but I have to try.”
De Beul, who ran the YouTube channel @StormOutdoorsy with over 1,000 subscribers, frequently posted videos documenting his solo camping trips in remote wilderness areas. His parents compared his life story to the film Into the Wild, which recounts the true story of a young man who similarly ventured along into the wild, into the Alaskan wilderness, and died.