
TikTok icon ‘Sheffield Keeley’ dies after being found unconscious in city centre
‘Rest in peace Key. You were my best friend. Not even friends, you [were] like my big sister’
“Sheffield Keeley”, a well known TikTok icon died last night [14th January] after an incident in the city centre.
Just after 6pm last night, police were called to Arundel Gate after Sheffield Keeley, real name Keeley Thornton, was found unconscious.
It is believed a member of the public attempted to administer CPR to Keeley, until an ambulance arrived and she was taken to hospital.
Medical personnel were not able to save Keeley and she was pronounced dead at hospital. She was 34 years old.
South Yorkshire Police confirmed a woman has been arrested on suspicion of administering a noxious substance.
Keeley was well-known in the city, often featuring in TikToks, which have been viewed more 1.6 billion times collectively. However, charity, The Archer Project has condemned treating her as a “street celebrity”, saying it made her “life worse”.
Rumours first began circulating online after a video was posted to TikTok showing a police vehicle parked on the pavement, and a police officer stood next to police cordon tape.
The video was captioned: “Incident in Sheffield town centre, heard it’s Sheffield Keeley.”
@delly446 Incident in Sheffield town centre heard its Sheffield keeley 🙏🏽 there ok #fyp
Tributes began pouring in on the platform last night, soon after rumours began circulating.
One friend posted a succession of photos of a younger Keeley, saying: “Rest in peace Key. You were my best friend. Not even friends, you was like my big sister.”
A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “Yesterday at 6.15pm, we were made aware by the ambulance service of a woman unconscious on Arundel Gate in Sheffield city centre.
“Officers attended and the woman, 34, was found to be receiving treatment at the scene. She was conveyed to hospital by paramedics but was sadly pronounced dead on arrival.
“Her death is currently being treated as unexplained. Her family has been notified.
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“A scene was established, which was later removed, and a 47-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of administering a noxious substance. She has since been released on police bail as enquiries continue.”
Featured images via TikTok