- Former crim-turned-TikToker Russell Manser dead
A former bank robber and career criminal who turned his life around and became a TikTok star in the process has died suddenly.
Russell Manser, believed to be in his mid-50s, who spent 23 years behind bars in prisons across Australia, died on Saturday night, sources close to the former maximum security inmate told The Daily Telegraph.
The former hardened criminal turned his life around and founded The Voice of A Survivor charity to help victims of physical, emotional and sexual abuse.
Russell Manser (pictured), who spent 23 years behind bars in prisons across Australia before turning his life around, reportedly died on Saturday night
Manser was himself the victim of sexual abuse, which led to a vicious cycle of drug abuse and crime for almost half of his life.
His charity folded last July after victims were hesitant to come forward because of the NSW Supreme Court’s decision not to pursue cases where the alleged perpetrator had died.
‘It’s been really tough going of late,’ Manser told Daily Mail Australia at the time.
Manser had a podcast called The Stick Up, which featured guests including businessman Mark Bouris, Australian rapper Ay Huncho, NRL star Liam Knight and ex-criminal-turned-porn-star Dale Egan.
On Saturday he posted a video on his Instagram account where he discussed ‘Asian gangs’.
SItting on the bonnet of a black Mercedes and wearing a cap, dark sunglasses and tight-fitting gym gear, Manser told his 140,000 followers it ‘takes a long time to earn their respect’.
‘But when you do, you’ve got a friend for life. I loved them
More to come.
