David Wilcock, a paranormal writer and significant figure in the disclosure movement, has died.
BOULDER COUNTY, Colo. — EDITOR’S NOTE: This story contains mentions of suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7. Call or text 988.
David Wilcock, the paranormal writer, bestselling author and YouTube personality who spent decades championing UFO disclosure and other fringe conspiracy theories, died April 20 at his home in Colorado. He was 53.
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Wilcock was one of the more prominent and polarizing voices in alternative media, building a following that spanned conspiracy communities, New Age spirituality and UFO enthusiast circles. He was a significant figure in the disclosure movement, which advocates for an end to what it believes is U.S. government secrecy surrounding the existence of aliens and UFOs.
He was a recurring guest on the popular History Channel series “Ancient Aliens,” which explores conspiracy theories related to the pseudoscientific hypothesis that ancient astronauts influenced early mankind. He also maintained a YouTube channel with more than 500,000 subscribers at the time of his death.
He authored several books, including “Awakening in the Dream” and “The Ascension Mysteries,” which were New York Times bestsellers, according to publisher Penguin Random House. From 2015 to 2018, Wilcock co-hosted a program on the streaming platform Gaia called “Cosmic Disclosures” alongside Corey Goode.
Boulder County authorities said deputies were dispatched to his home after a 911 call. The emergency communications specialist who took the call believed the caller may have been experiencing a mental health crisis. Deputies said they encountered a man with a weapon, and within minutes of their arrival, the man used the weapon on himself and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Boulder County Coroner’s Office confirmed that the man who died in that incident was Wilcock.
Wilcock’s former co-host, Corey Goode, has since claimed that Wilcock had been subjected to cyberstalking and harassment in the period leading up to his death.
Wilcock’s death drew an outpouring of reaction from followers and fellow alternative media personalities.
In a statement, his family said he struggled with depression and financial troubles and they “hope this loss encourages more focused attention to mental health care access.”
“Beyond his public persona, he was a human navigating the same complexities and vulnerabilities that shape all our lives,” the statement continued. “His passing is a reminder of how important it is to meet one another with open minds and compassion in our hearts.”