‘Genius’ inventor YouTuber filmed goodbye video for his followers earlier than taking his personal life after declining well being and dropping his spouse

 A ‘genius’ inventions YouTuber filmed a goodbye video after he killed himself following the death of his wife and a decline in his health.

Dr Robert Murray-Smith, 62, who lived in Herne Bay, Kent, scheduled a clip to go live to his 579,000 subscribers the day after he took his own life.

In the final video published on September 26, sitting beneath a picture of his late wife Patti, he said he wanted to ‘call it adieu while we’re all really happy’.

He did not say he planned to end his life in the minute and a half long recording but two weeks later his brother, Dave Smith, posted another video to share the tragic news of Robert’s death.

Dave revealed that his brother had struggled with the loss of his wife two years ago and that his health had quickly declined meaning he struggled to walk which ‘contributed massively to what was already a depression‘. 

In Robert’s last video before his death, titled ‘2440 My Last Video’ he explained to fans of his channel – named Thinking and Tinkering – that making videos had become ‘a little repetitious and, well, boring to be honest’.

He continued: ‘Although I think the channel is doing rather well, it’s one of those things to finish on a high.

‘At those difficult times in my life, when people here have actually been tremendously and genuinely supportive, I want to thank everybody. I want to thank you very much for being subscribed, very much for watching, and very much for being members.

‘Of course, the videos will stay up; they’re just going to be there as reference material, probably forever, but it is time now to stop making new videos.

‘I do wish you all the very best, and please do remember me every now and then and let’s call it adieu while we’re all really happy. Thank you again.’

Before the news of his death was shared, commenters flocked to express their sadness for his leaving and their gratitude for his videos.

One wrote: ‘God bless you, Robert! Not for your channel, but for who you are. Your spirit shines bright.

‘Thanks for making the world and YouTube a better place. You’re a rare and precious gem.’

Another said: ‘The end of an era! What a joy it has been learning so much from such a brilliant man. You’ve touched the lives of millions, and that’s an awesome feat.

‘All good things come to an end, and it’s best to appreciate all that was than to bemoan what could still be.’

Others pleaded with him to stay, while some reassured him his catalogue of more than 2,500 videos and 80 million views would not be forgotten.

But Robert was never able to read these messages.

Dave said in the following video announcing his brother’s death, titled RIP Robert Murray-Smith (1963 – 2025), ‘I’m very sad to report that Robert died the day before that video

‘I think he had many reasons. I think you probably know perfectly well that he did not take the death of his wife very well.

‘Patti died about a year and a half ago, and he found her absence a real struggle.

‘In addition to that, in recent times, his health was failing him.’

He also told how his family had tried to speak with Dr Murray-Smith about his mental health in the past.

He explained: ‘If ever you ask Robert how he’s feeling, (he would say) ‘I’m fine. Everything’s fine’.

‘Of course, we recognise the need to push against that when people are in Robert’s position.

‘But as soon as you did, he would get quite passive-aggressive. It was very, very difficult to speak with Robert.

‘You saw his videos – you wouldn’t realise that there was misery underneath all that, because his mask was very, very well tuned for all of us.’

He added that he was certain his ‘vibrant’ brother would have wanted his followers to know of his death.

He added: ‘The community on his YouTube channel was profoundly important to Robert.

‘He was with you all for about 11 years, I believe, so I am convinced that he would want you to know what happened.’

To memorialise Robert, his family are fundraising for the charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)

Dave explained: ‘Men typically find it next to impossible to talk about their feelings, particularly when life isn’t going quite as well as we might want, and Robert certainly fell into that category.

‘We chose this particular charity because we are pretty certain that in the year and a half since Patti died, Robert was living miserably.

‘Once again, I’m deeply, deeply sorry to have to be the bearer of such sad news.’

He added that he would make a compilation of the best videos on his brothers channel

The announcement of Robert’s death has been viewed 203,000 times and Robert’s last video 142,000 times.

Dvve ended the video by saying: ‘I’d like to thank you all for the support that you gave Rob over his 11 years, and let me tell you, he appreciated it enormously.

‘I’m getting quite emotional now, so I’m going to end the video there.’

Thousands of commenters flocked to share condolences and messages.

One even said Dr Murray-Smith had saved their life, revealing how when he was homeless he had made heaters based on his online tutorials.

Among the many messages, one read: “Robert was a genuine genius and cared for the world. He sparked many great ideas.”

Another added: “This has knocked me for six.

“Robert was an absolute inspiration to us all. In a world full of horrible people, be a Robert Murray-Smith.”

• For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit thecalmzone.net/get-support