The influencer, known online as JinnKid, faces a life sentence without parole, though prosecutors can push for the death penalty.

Mother and Friend Murdered

Ali Abulaban, a TikToker with nearly 1 million followers, pleaded not guilty on Monday to two counts of first-degree murder over the fatal shooting of his estranged wife and her friend. 

The 29-year-old influencer, who goes by JinnKid online, is known for his comedy skits and impersonations of people like Tony Montana from “Scarface.” He also has a pretty large following on Instagram and YouTube, with his most popular content being his “Skyrim in Real Life” series, which pokes fun at the video game’s mechanics and bugs.

According to prosecutors, he had been living in a hotel and stalking his 28-year-old wife Ana since she asked him to move out of their San Diego, California, apartment on Oct. 18. Three days after she kicked him out, Abulaban allegedly snuck back in while she was gone, trashed the apartment, and installed a listening device on their 5-year-old daughter’s iPad.

He was reportedly listening in last Thursday when he heard his wife talking and laughing with her friend, 29-year-old Rayburn Barron.

Investigators said Abulaban then rushed over in a fit of rage and shot Barron three times before shooting his wife in the head. Authorities added that he was spotted leaving the apartment on security cameras, and he allegedly called his mother to confess to the crimes before picking up his daughter from school.

He later called the police himself while driving on the highway and was arrested about 45 minutes later.

Investigators said Abulaban confessed when speaking to detectives and accused his wife of cheating, though prosecutors believe Barron was only a friend.

History of Violence

This incident is not the first time Abulaban has been violent towards his wife, according to police. Just last month, she had filed a police report claiming he had pushed and injured her. Prosecutors even said she had planned to file a restraining order against him.

Abulaban has pleaded not guilty to the murders, as well as special circumstance allegations of multiple killings.

If convicted, he faces a life sentence without parole. The charges and special allegations also allow prosecutors to pursue the death penalty if he’s convicted.

He is currently being held without bail, and a judge has issued a protective order that requires him to stay away from his daughter, who is being cared for by relatives.

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To escape the stress of his online controversies, the YouTuber said he turned to alcohol, a strategy he described as “a recipe for disaster.”

PewDiePie Addressed Past Alcohol Issues

YouTuber PewDiePie uploaded a video Wednesday revealing that he previously dealt with a drinking problem.

PewDiePie, whose real name is Felix Kjellberg, said that around 2017 and 2018, he used to drink whiskey every single day. When he tried to quit for health reasons, he struggled, which made him realize how attached he was to the substance.

“That’s when I realized, oh shit, maybe I do have a problem,” he explained.  “And that’s why I quit drinking for a few months because I thought you know, I need to show I’m the one in control.” 

After quitting the habit for a period of time, he said he convinced himself that it would be okay to re-introduce drinking back into his life. Kjellberg claimed the problem was at its worst when he was struggling with a handful of online controversies, though he did not specify which ones. Kjellberg has faced backlash numerous times throughout his career, including for using racist and anti-Semitic language.

“Drinking to sort of escape emotions is a recipe for disaster,” he said. 

PewDiePie Says YouTube Addiction Fueled His Alcohol Addiction 

“I was still not just addicted to escaping these emotions by drinking, but I think I was also addicted to YouTube, and I was so scared of losing YouTube through all these controversies that I was fueling one addiction out of my fear of losing another one,” Kjellberg continued.  

The YouTuber explained that he was “nowhere near” the point where alcohol could have cost him his job or loved ones and he does not want to “co-opt all that pain” that many people endure. Still, he said he had reached a point where he had to rethink his relationship with drinking and ultimately decided the best thing to do was quit.

“It was really rough, especially because I was having a lot of withdrawals from it,” Kjellberg said. “It took me a long time to be able to sleep properly again, but I did manage it and I was done. And I haven’t touched it since, which I’m really proud about.”

Kjellberg admitted that he used to be embarrassed by the subject, which is why he waited so long to publicly discuss it. For a period of time, he also felt he had merely replaced one addiction with another because he began using nicotine patches. He said he has now quit nicotine twice and feels freer without the substance. 

“That kind of felt like almost losing a friend. I’m not even exaggerating,” he confessed about the process of quitting nicotine. “It’s like something that you used to rely on but will no longer be there.” 

Kjellberg discussed the thoughts many notable philosophers have had on vices and addiction and claimed their beliefs helped guide his choices. Now, he hopes others dealing with similar issues might hear his story and prompt change within their own lives. 

“I’m hoping that talking about it might lead people to open their eyes about their own actions and what they’re also doing,” he explained. “And it’s a tough thing to admit.”

Fellow creators like Anthony Padilla and Jacksepticeye commented on the video to thank Kjellberg for sharing his experience.

“[This] will help so many people and gives such a better look at how strong you are,” Padilla wrote. “Love you dude.”

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The singer was joined by “The Office” actor Rainn Wilson and other big-name celebrities and activists in a pitch for world leaders to make substantial progress at the conference.

Billie Eilish Calls for Climate Action

Singer Billie Eilish partnered Tuesday with the environmental group Arctic Basecamp at the University of Exeter to call for meaningful climate action ahead of the U.N. COP26 climate conference. 

“This year our leaders are deciding the global actions required on the environment climate emergency in a critical decade for our planet,” Eilish said in a video. “We must stand together and speak up to save our planet, not just for us, but for our future generations. And we need urgent, urgent action now.” 

Eilish is no stranger to advocating for solutions to climate change. In September, the “Happier Than Ever” singer urged Congress to pass climate legislation as part of the #CodeRedClimate campaign. For her latest pitch with Arctic Basecamp, she was joined by other big names, including “The Office” actor Rainn Wilson, explorer Levison Wood, climate activist Daze Aghaji, and wildlife advocate Robert Irwin, who is the son of the late Steve Irwin.

“Courage. That’s what our world’s leaders need more than anything,” Wilson said in the video message. “The decisions that they make about the climate crisis in the next decade are the most important decisions in our planet’s history.” 

What is COP26?

Arctic Basecamp works with scientists and other high-profile organizations all over the world to call attention to climate issues and encourage effective solutions. It was founded by Gail Whiteman, a professor at the University of Exeter, who released a statement thanking the slew of stars and activists for their involvement in the COP26 initiative. 

“It is amazing to be working with such brave people that not only are using their voice but are using their voice for good,” she said. “This is a crisis and the Arctic is sounding the alarm. It is time that world leaders come together to create real change that ensures a safe future for humanity.”

COP26 will kick off in Glasgow on Oct. 31 and run through Nov. 12. Global leaders will discuss several actions regarding the environment, including pacts like the Paris Agreement and U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change. They will also focus on a series of goals, including achieving global net-zero emissions by mid-century and protecting ecosystems, along with other infrastructure threatened by climate change.

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has pitched the event as a key moment for the world to come together and tackle climate change. This week, he described it as “our best chance to make the changes we need to protect our planet for our children and grandchildren.”

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