‘Gentle soul’: Gamer Liam McNeill remembered after sudden, unexpected death

Liam McNeill has been remembered as selfless by people around the world who attended his funeral within a fantasy online game.

Liam McNeill (C), while in Bali with friends, suddenly died in his family home on March 30. Picture: Supplied by family

After Liam McNeill tragically died, people from around the world gathered at an online funeral, held within a game, to honour him.

The 32-year-old played the online game Runescape for over two decades and through the game made countless connections.

About 100 people met within the game to remember the extremely caring man who’d answer anyone’s message at any time, day or night.

“People were pouring their heart out and regaling memories about Liam,” his brother Kyle McNeill, 30, told The Advertiser.

Liam made many friends on Runescape. Picture: Supplied by family

A funeral was held in the game in his honour after his death. Picture: Supplied by family

Many of Liam’s online friends reached out to Mr McNeill following the tragic death of his brother with stories of how Liam changed their lives.

“A lot of Liam’s impact is not the direct world around physically, it’s been a lot online,” he said.

“In any day of misery, they knew they could reach out to Liam and he would make their day better.

“Liam was absolutely selfless.”

One friend said he was a successful artist thanks to Liam’s help, another said knowing Liam was “life changing”.

Liam’s mother, Debra Furby said learning of Liam’s impact wasn’t a surprise to her.

“Everybody that knew him loved him and his genuine, actual friends loved him truly and deeply,” she said.

“I’m incredibly proud.”

Many friends came forward to discuss Liam’s impact on him. Picture: Supplied by family

Liam died on March 30. Picture: Supplied by family

On Sunday, March 30, Ms Furby found her son deceased in his room, in their family home in Gawler East.

Investigations are ongoing to discover his cause of death.

“Liam was incredibly authentic to himself and the people that knew him, they loved him deeply and truly … for his authenticity and his absolutely loyal friendship,” Ms Furby, 58, said.

His brother said he was extremely caring, considerate and “a true gentle soul”.

“He wanted to go out of his way to help anyone even at his own detriment,” Mr McNeill said.

Liam started playing Runescape in early 2000s. Picture: Supplied by family

He even met up with a 63 year old friend he met on the game when he was a kid. Picture: Supplied by family

Liam first started playing Runescape in the early 2000s. He even detailed the friendships he created in his journal.

He wrote: “I’ve made two good friends and one of them is 63 and lives in America and the other one is 63 and lives in Pinnaroo”.

Mr McNeill said the 63-year-old woman from Pinnaroo was a grandmother who enjoyed Liam’s friendship so much she paid for Liam’s game for an entire year.

Eventually Liam and his family met her when she and her partner went travelling through South Australia.

Liam would often donate money and items to people less fortunate. Picture: GoFundMe

Liam often donated his leftover money to people in need on the street and even organised for his family to buy gifts for underprivileged kids for Christmas instead of each other.

“He was just willing to give to people that he knew were in a less fortunate position than himself … he was more than happy to help others and save none for himself,” Mr McNeill said.

Liam was born on December 3, 1992. He died on March 30, 2025. He was 32 years old.

He is survived by his mother Debra Furby, father Shane McNeill, his brother Kyle McNeill and numerous uncles, aunties, cousins and grandparents.

If you’d like to donate to the family you can here.