The TikToker Who KíIled Their Best Friend At A Party: The Tragedy of Helen Hastings and Yandere Freak

The Night That Changed Everything

What’s the dumbest thing you’ve ever done while drunk? Most people end up with a hangover or a regrettable text. But for one famous TikToker, a night of drinking ended in the unthinkable—the death of their very best friend.

Helen Rose Hastings was the only daughter of two brilliant biologists in Houston, Texas. She was a prodigy, speaking in full sentences by 18 months, and by age seven, dreamed of opening an institute for women scientists in Japan. Helen’s childhood was a whirlwind of travel, hobbies, and curiosity. But when she hit middle school, her world unraveled. Bullied for being “weird,” suffering from misophonia, and ostracized for her pansexuality, Helen spiraled into depression and isolation.

Everything changed when she discovered cosplay—a community where outcasts became heroes. Helen flourished, posting creative videos on TikTok and Instagram, and found her tribe among fellow cosplayers. One friend stood out: Mary Ann Oliver Snow, known online as Yandere Freak or Snow the Salt Queen. Snow was a local cosplay celebrity, non-binary, wild, and controversial, with over 1.6 million followers and a reputation for pushing boundaries.

The Party That Ended in Disaster

On January 17th, 2021, Helen and Snow were together at Snow’s house with five other friends. It was a typical party—drinking, smoking, watching TV. When they decided to cosplay characters from the Batman-inspired series Gotham, Snow announced they had a real gun, just like the villain Penguin. They fetched it from the garage, and the group started jokingly playing with the weapon.

One friend dared Snow, “Ooh, shoot me!” Snow raised the gun, then lowered it. Helen, wanting to fit in, joked, “Oh, do me!” Snow, drunk and reckless, turned to Helen, pressed the gun to her head, and pulled the trigger.

A deafening bang. Helen collapsed, blood pooling on the floor. The group panicked, trying to stop the bleeding with a teddy bear. Snow kept repeating, “It was an accident.” Someone called 911, and Helen was rushed to the hospital, placed on life support—but died two days later.

Shockwaves Through Social Media

The news of Helen’s death shattered her friends and family. But Snow’s reaction was chilling. Instead of grieving publicly, Snow continued posting regular cosplay videos, never mentioning Helen. Some followers found this deeply disturbing: how could someone act as if nothing had happened after killing their best friend?

When the truth came out, the horror deepened. Snow was arrested and charged with second-degree manslaughter. They claimed the gun was left by an ex-boyfriend, who said it was unloaded. Snow insisted they were drunk and believed the gun was safe, having pulled the trigger several times earlier with only a clicking sound. Witnesses confirmed the group was wild and often made reckless jokes, never imagining the gun was loaded.

Released on $20,000 bond, Snow returned to TikTok, sometimes visibly wearing an ankle monitor. Their videos became even more provocative, featuring fake blood and references to violence. For Helen’s family, this was a slap in the face—a painful reminder of the tragedy.

The Fallout

Snow later made their accounts private, distancing themselves from social media. Their lawyer claimed Snow was “incredibly remorseful” and struggling to cope with the guilt. But for Helen’s loved ones, the loss was immeasurable. Friends remembered her as bubbly, empathetic, and fiercely intelligent—a light extinguished far too soon.

A Community Torn Apart

Helen’s death became a cautionary tale about the dangers of mixing alcohol, weapons, and reckless behavior. It exposed the dark side of internet fame, where tragedy can be masked by a steady stream of content, and remorse is measured in likes and comments.

Was Snow truly sorry? Or was their online behavior proof of something colder? The internet debated, but for those who knew Helen, the answer didn’t matter. The pain of losing her was real—and permanent.

What do you think? Was this a tragic accident, or something more sinister? Let me know your thoughts below.