In Memoriam

[shrop]

As some of you might know, the Doubles OU community has experienced a great loss. It is with great sadness that I have to report that user Benja299 has taken his life at a very young age. Please show your respect and not ask any further questions about this tragedy. Rather, lets remember the fond times we have shared with him. The Doubles OU community will miss you a ton man. Rest In Peace.

Feel free to comment any good memories that you have of Benja.

Once again, please respect everyone's privacy during this tough time.

 

[deoxys speed]

Benja was one of the nicest, funniest, and coolest people I had met on this site. He was also one of the true friends I had on here, this is devastating :[

 

[Roxer]

Even though I cannot join Smogon/PS! more because of work, I still lurk around sometimes, and when I saw this thread pop up on my phone I had to stop and say farewell.
Rest in piece friend.

EDIT: Benja's mixtape was just posted on chat, I figured I'd post it here so we can listen it one more time.

 

[qsns]

Benja was one of the people who got me into staying in this community and he was a good friend of mine. Always looked up to him as a player and had some really fun Skype calls with him. It's terrible to lose such a funny and smart guy.

 

[13ulbasaur]

Oh my goodness I... I really don't know what to say, it feels so surreal, but at the same time, I feel like I should be saying something.

Benja, benja, he was always a bit on the rude side, but he was still, nice, y'know? Really fun person too. Whenever someone was being stupid in the room, I never could say anything particularly straightforward and rude (moral compass etc.), but instead I'd always just wait for Benja to say what I wanted to say (maybe with a couple of insults strewn in).

Lest We Forget.

 

[SingleThunder]

Benja was the best. After joining PS! for only a small time, Benja was a welcoming presence in the Doubles PS! room. We'll miss you Benja.

 

[Zeldamon Master519]

I myself never knew Benja too too well, but I can say he was a very good addition to the chat and a very great player of whom I admired and enjoyed to watch battling. It is truly a shame what happened.. :'(

Rest in Peace Benja299. You won't be forgotten.

 

[Stratos]

i heard a rumor almost two hours ago and it was confirmed about a half hour ago but ive been in tears the entire time. I'm writing this post now because my fingers are finally not shaking too violently to type. Benja was a good friend, a great friend even. he went through such personal growth in his time on smogon. this is not how it was supposed to end. To know not just that he died, but that he was in pain while still here and I couldn't help him....i miss him so badly.

To amend this pain, to avoid this pain
Can I share this pain and keep away?

 

[heritage]

Hello, I just happened to scan across this thread by chance and, sadly, it hits quite close to home with me.
I've never played Doubles OU and I've never met Benja, but I would like to offer my sincerest condolences. Suicide is a very serious matter and I wish the best for everyone who knew him personally, especially his family and friends. I hope him and his contributions won't be forgotten. Heaven's gained another angel today.

 

[shaian]

A true trash talker. A true competitor. A true hip hop head. We may have butted heads now and then, but damn you were a true friend to the end.

R.I.P fam, I'll miss you

 

[Analytic]

Didn't know him but it's pretty sad when a person takes his life. Condolences to everyone who knew him.

 

[Pastelle]

To say that I'm shocked is an understatement. Benja was one of the first users to actually be nice to me on PS!, and he's a big reason as to why I decided to become involved in the community. He was a shit talker, a legendary memer, but a great player buy and large. The few skype calls I had with him were really fun.
Thanks for putting a smile on my face Benja, from Banjo Town and beyond, you were always a hoot.
May you rest in peace. :[

 

[Clone]

I didn't know Benja that well, but in my limited interaction with him he seemed pretty cool. I truly want to offer my condolences to his family and friends, both internet and irl. Suicide hits home so I know your guys' pain.

Rest in Peace Benja

 

[Fangame10]

benja was a good freind and was always funny, I feel bad for all those times I muted him when I used to be a driver.
He was good and he beat me a lot in battles... I will miss him a lot

 

[skies]

I do not play DOU, nor do I know of Benja, but I would like to express my sincerest condolences. I'm so sorry this happened, and I'm incredibly saddened by hearing about it. Rest in piece, Benja.

 

[Empress]

I spoke to benja one time- during the DOU Salamencite test. Not once did I think it'd be the last time I'd ever interact with him. Benja, we might not have talked outside of that, but I'll still miss you. I offer my condolences to the entire DOU community.

 

[mags]

Benja was a funny friend. I stopped talking to him which i deeply regret now but when I first came on showdown I watched benja play multiple games and I looked up to him as a great player with a great personality. I keep remembering this one time when benja was in the ubers rooms and he schooled me in a tour final then gave me some tips after in pm's. No doubt benja has touched many of our hearts and Condolences to everyone who knew him. Benja will be greatly missed.

 

[QueBien]

I have never met Benja, but nevertheless I am deeply saddened by this tragic loss. I wish his friends and family the very best; Benja is in a better place now. Rest in peace, Benja, you will be missed by many.

 

[Tokyo Tom]

Even though I had only met him recently, I'll remember Benja as a nice and outgoing guy who reached out to me and made me feel at home in a group of unfamiliar faces. Just by hanging around him, you could tell that he was always enthusiastic and good at making people laugh, and was just a positive presence to everyone around him - you could tell that his friends cared about him very much. This is a way no one should ever have to go. Rest in peace man, hope you find happiness in the next life.

 

[GlassGlaceon]

Man I used to talk to Benja almost daily; dude was absolutely amazing. It's absolutely awful that he took his own life and I'm crying while writing this post. I feel like trash right now because I never once gave the guy time to ask how he was doing; Please earnestly send out your prayers to him and his family. I don't know if death hits you guys as hard as it does for me but...if you really think about it, it's absolutely sickening. We all passed by benja, we all talked to him. He's not gonna be here anymore and I pray that he's up in heaven smiling down on us. He was always so happy and I hope he stays that way up there man...jeez. I'm really speechless about this, my thoughts aren't coming out straight. This is a gigantic blow; we have lost a precious life.

Quick PSA: Guys let's remember that there are real people behind these screens. It isn't just some random cpu bot who has no life and no soul. Please always encourage each other, always check up on one another, and always love each other. I know that d4nk m3m3ing is funny and all but sometimes we gotta step back and realize that life really isn't a joke. I'm not saying that any of you caused it but just to prevent anything like this from any users in the future, please stick to these guys closer than brothers. The Doubles Community is in deep mourning, send out your final prayers to us so we can recover.

Rest In Peace Benja, you will be forever missed.

 

[Fireburn]

My utmost condolences to his friends and family. May you find peace in the next life, Benja, you will be in my prayers. :<

 

[Electrolyte]

Benja was extremely down to earth in a community that has always faced some level of elitism among its most prominent members. He earned my respect not only through his skills as a player but also through his attitude towards the game and those who played it.

Rest in peace, man. You deserve that much at least.

 

[Tressed]

Just like to put out there that if you are feeling suicidal, please speak to someone you trust, a counselor, or call your local suicide prevention hotline. Talking to someone helps a lot, trust me.

Best wishes to everyone affected by this loss.

 

[chaos]

Tragic news... rest in peace.

 

[Geopolitics]

we only talked once when i trying to get into the meta. couldn't have asked for a more chill guy, great competitor but also great person.

you will be missed, and my condolences to his friends and family :[