SWANSEA, UK – A wave of grief and fierce debate has swept through Swansea following the death of a local man just days after he was featured prominently in a viral video (below) exposing the stark realities of drug addiction in the city’s Brynmelyn Estate.
The man, identified locally as Carl Mole, was one of several individuals struggling with addiction who were interviewed for a gritty, unsparing video published last week by the social media channel ‘The Central Club’. The video, which has been viewed tens of thousands of times, highlighted issues of crime and open drug use around the estate, focusing on areas like Griffith John Street.
Carl, known to friends as “Psycho,” quickly became the video’s most recognisable figure. His raw and unfiltered appearance in the interview, which many viewers found deeply distressing, drew a mixture of shock, pity, and concern from thousands of viewers. In the days following the video’s surge in popularity, news began to circulate that Carl had passed away.
South Wales Police have confirmed they are aware of the death. A spokesperson stated, “Officers were called to an address in the Brynmelyn area on the evening of Thursday, June 5. The death is currently being treated as unexplained and enquiries are ongoing.” While authorities have not officially confirmed the man’s identity or commented on the video, the timing of his death has ignited a firestorm of controversy online and in the local community.
The Central Club’s video aimed to shed light on what it described as a “hidden epidemic” in Swansea. The raw footage showed confrontations with alleged drug dealers and harrowing interviews with users. In their description, the creators stated their goal was to bring attention to the urgent need for more resources and intervention in neglected communities.
However, the video’s methods have drawn sharp criticism. Many residents and online commentators have condemned the piece as exploitative, labelling it “poverty tourism” and questioning the ethics of broadcasting vulnerable individuals during moments of clear personal crisis.
One commenter on a local Facebook group wrote, “To film someone so clearly unwell for clicks is disgusting. This isn’t journalism, it’s exploitation. That man needed help, not a camera in his face.”
Conversely, others have defended the video’s creators. “People are angry because they’ve been shown a truth they don’t want to see,” another user argued. “If this video makes even one person in power act, was it not worth it?”
For those who knew Carl, the situation is a tragedy compounded by public spectacle. A childhood friend, who asked not to be named, said the “Psycho” nickname was from his youth and didn’t reflect the man he was. “He was a good lad, had a good heart. He got lost along the way like so many have. Seeing him on that video was heartbreaking, and knowing he’s gone now is just devastating. He was more than his addiction.”
Local support services have reiterated that help is available. A representative for the Swansea Bay University Health Board urged anyone struggling with substance misuse to reach out, stating, “This is a tragic reminder of the human cost of addiction. Our services are confidential, free, and available to anyone who needs them. We urge people not to suffer in silence.”
