The Tragic Case of The Skeptic Feminist: A YouTube Channel Marred by Violence
In May 2017, a shocking crime involving members of the YouTube channel The Skeptic Feminist made headlines when Aleksandr Kolpakov, known online as "Russian Deadpool" or "RDP," was arrested for the fatal shooting of his co-host, Heather Anable, known as "Ivy." The incident, which took place in Clifton, Colorado, left the online community reeling and sparked debates about mental health, substance use, and the ethics of true crime discussions. Below is an overview of the crime, its legal outcomes, and its broader impact.
The Incident
On the evening of May 13, 2017, Mesa County Sheriff's deputies responded to reports of gunshots in the 3200 block of Lombardy Lane, Clifton. They found 31-year-old Heather Anable dead on the sidewalk outside an apartment she shared with Kolpakov, having suffered multiple gunshot wounds to her neck and chest. The Mesa County Coroner's Office ruled her death a homicide. Aleksandr Kolpakov, then 29, was taken into custody at the scene and initially charged with second-degree murder, with prosecutors later considering a first-degree murder charge. Denver Post
According to court documents and witness accounts, Kolpakov was acting erratically before the shooting, ranting about being poisoned and referencing conspiracies. A neighbor reported seeing Kolpakov, naked and distressed, claiming he had consumed psilocybin mushrooms, which may have triggered a "bad trip" involving delusions and hallucinations. The affidavit noted that Kolpakov accused Anable of being a "monster" and a "terrorist" during the incident, and one witness heard him say, "I had to put my sweet Heather down." Deputies found a black semi-automatic handgun next to Anable's body. Grand Junction Daily Sentinel
The Skeptic Feminist and the Relationship
The Skeptic Feminist was a YouTube channel with nearly 7,000 subscribers and over 650,000 views, focused on debating feminism, atheism, and critiques of religion and misogyny. Kolpakov and Anable, along with a third co-host known as "Harley Quinn," were key figures in the channel, which described itself as "sarcastically lambasting religion and misogyny." Kolpakov and Anable were in a polyamorous relationship, and court testimony revealed they were video chatting with another woman in their relationship on the night of the shooting. This woman described Kolpakov's increasing paranoia after ingesting mushrooms, despite attempts by both her and Anable to calm him. Grand Junction Daily Sentinel
Kolpakov, who claimed to be an ex-soldier and self-defense instructor, suggested he suffered a "severe flashback" related to PTSD. However, records from the U.S. Army confirmed he served in the Virginia National Guard from 2006 to 2008, reaching only the rank of private second class, with no combat experience. Online discussions, particularly on platforms like Reddit and KiwiFarms, questioned his military claims and the validity of his PTSD defense. Reddit
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
In 2019, Kolpakov pleaded guilty to first-degree assault and manslaughter in the death of Heather Anable. During sentencing, he claimed the psilocybin mushrooms impaired his reasoning, describing an "animalistic terror" that overwhelmed him. However, prosecutors argued that Kolpakov's actions showed deliberation, noting a gap of several minutes between the first shot, which injured Anable, and subsequent shots that killed her as she crawled on the ground. Mesa County District Judge Richard Gurley sentenced Kolpakov to 40 years in prison—28 years for first-degree assault and 12 years for manslaughter, to be served consecutively. Grand Junction Daily Sentinel
In 2025, Kolpakov appealed his sentence, arguing that the charges relied on identical evidence and should have been served concurrently, and that his attorney was ineffective. The Colorado Court of Appeals rejected the appeal, affirming that the evidence supported distinct actions for the assault and manslaughter charges, and found his counsel effective. Grand Junction Daily Sentinel
Community Reaction and Legacy
The tragedy prompted an outpouring of grief for Anable, who was described by friends and family as a spiritual and loving person with a passion for pet rats and massage therapy. Her mother, Sharon Anable, spoke at the sentencing, urging the maximum penalty and highlighting the profound loss felt by the family, especially as the news came on Mother's Day. A GoFundMe campaign raised $5,160 to cover Anable's funeral costs, with excess funds donated to charity. Additionally, a crowdfunding effort in her memory raised $1,025 for the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Grand Junction Daily Sentinel
The case also sparked controversy online, with some anti-feminist commentators exploiting the incident to criticize male feminists, drawing comparisons to unrelated cases like that of Elliot Rodger. Others, including YouTubers like Armored Skeptic, offered condolences and condemned the violence. The polarized reactions highlighted the challenges of discussing such tragedies in ideologically charged online spaces. We Hunted The Mammoth
Broader Implications
The Skeptic Feminist case raises questions about the intersection of mental health, substance use, and violence. Kolpakov's defense centered on his impaired state due to psilocybin, but the court's rejection of his appeal underscores that such factors do not absolve responsibility for deliberate actions. The incident also serves as a grim reminder of the risks of domestic violence, particularly in complex relationship dynamics like polyamory, which was a factor in Kolpakov and Anable's relationship. For those seeking more information on domestic violence resources, the National Domestic Violence Hotline offers support and guidance.
Heather Anable's death remains a heartbreaking loss for her family, friends, and the online community. The legacy of The Skeptic Feminist is now forever tied to this tragedy, serving as a cautionary tale about the real-world consequences of personal struggles and the dangers of unchecked paranoia.