When he embarked on an expedition to Swedish Lapland at the end of October 2024, YouTuber Storm De Beul, known under the pseudonym StormOutdoorsy, warned his loved ones, inviting them “not to worry.” But a few days after beginning his epic journey through the extreme north, he died.
A great lover of adventure, he was also fond of exploring in extreme conditions, particularly in the mountains.
A snow storm caused the tragedy.
According to the Flemish newspaper HLN, Storm De Beul was intended to explore Lapland, but, trapped by a snowstorm, he had to interrupt his trip. However, on the night of October 29 to 30, 2024, he made a call for help indicating that he was injured. “It’s snowing a lot here. But don’t worry, I’ll survive, you know?” he texted his grandmother.
Caught in the storm with a perceived temperature reaching -18 degrees, he can no longer move from where he is.
When emergency services were able to access the remote area where he was located, the 22-year-old did not survive. His body was found dead the day after the storm with a nearly empty duffel bag containing only a sleeping bag and a toothbrush.
“Maybe his tent flew away and he had no choice but to start walking,” explains his mother, Elisabeth Rademaker, to 7sur7. “His feet and lower legs were frozen. His hands were not, he may have still had his hand warmers with him.”
“It devastates me”
He also reveals that the injury Storm De Beul suffered was a broken nose, perhaps after a fall: “He must have suffered for a long time and died alone. I constantly imagine his last moments. This devastates me.”
During the investigation, his body could only be repatriated a few weeks later to Belgium, where it came from. His funeral took place on November 23.
His latest video, where he camps in the forest, has more than 57,000 views. Most of the views came after the news of Storm De Beul’s death. The comments also pay tribute to him.
With 14 scouting videos under his belt since launching his channel three months ago, the videographer has around 2,500 subscribers. Also interviewed by the Belgian media 7sur7, his father explained that he wanted to return to Sweden to look for his son’s camera, perhaps left there by the authorities, to find photos or videos of his son taken during his last trip.
Source: BFM TV
