Ash Armand seemed to live a charmed life as a popular fitness YouTuber with chiseled good looks, reality TV credentials, and an extensive fanbase drawn to his magnetic charisma and bravado. But over time, the cracks began to show in his carefully cultivated persona, exposing a sinister fraud and violent narcissist underneath. Armand‘s downfall culminated in the brutal murder of a young woman who trusted him completely. His macabre story serves as a sobering reminder that appearances can be deceiving. Even the most beloved social media influencers can hide monstrous true natures under their perfect public image and inspiring content.
From Aspiring Model to Callous Murderer
Long before his YouTube fame, Armand (birth name Akshaya Kubiak) worked as a massage therapist and did some professional modeling. According to psychologist Dr. Felicity Ward, Armand exhibited strong narcissistic tendencies even then. "He was obsessed with his image and attracting admiration, whether through his physical looks or portrayal of a sensitive ‘nice guy.‘ But it was just an act to feed his ego."
In 2010, his life took a dark turn after getting recruited by a modeling agent for the reality show Gigolos. The series followed a Las Vegas agency arranging attractive male escorts for female clients. Suddenly, Armand was portraying a real-life version of the charming gigolo persona. Dr. Ward explains, "For a narcissist like Armand, it was the perfect outlet. He received constant praise and attention for playing the role of a doting escort on TV."
But the majority of Armand‘s scenarios and interactions with "clients" were carefully scripted or outright staged, according to investigative journalist David Mullins who covered the show‘s controversies. "Everything about Armand from the show was completely fake – the image of a sweet, thoughtful guy catering to women. In reality, he charged escort rates of $1500+ per hour, aggressively promoted himself on social media, took steroids to maintain his physique, and manipulated female attention."
Still, Armand‘s gigolo stint spawned significant online fame. When the show ended in 2014, he re-invented himself as a fitness guru and "spiritual healer", combining grueling CrossFit workouts with gentle meditation sessions. Even the new persona relied on image manipulation and cultivated charisma though. As Dr. Ward analyzed, "It was never about truly helping people or self-improvement for Armand. He simply morphed into whatever role would continue feeding narcissistic supply through admiration."
Over the next years, Armand amassed an immense YouTube following. But underneath the persona of a sensitive, caring advisor, darker secrets swirled.
Preying on the Vulnerable
In 2018, Armand met Helene Cordeli, a 23-year-old personal trainer new to Las Vegas who confided that she hoped working out with a YouTube celebrity might restore direction and purpose in her life. She had recently quit nursing school, struggled with self-esteem, anxiety and unhealthy eating habits.
Armand immediately identified the opportunity to manipulate Helene‘s insecurities and desire for acceptance according to criminal psychologist Mira Simmons. "She was the perfect target for someone like Armand – young, impressionable and longing for community." Over the next months, he systematically exerted coercive control, isolating Helene from family, guilting her into stringent diets and exercise regimens, and continually degrading her self-worth.
When Helene‘s medical issues like hypoglycemic fainting episodes and gastrointestinal problems arose, likely related to her eating disorder, Armand leveraged those too. "He restricted her access to professional care, claiming Western medicine couldn‘t help her mysterious symptoms. Then positioned himself as the only one offering alternative healing solutions," explains Simmons. In reality, Helene may have suffered from an undiagnosed intestinal malabsorption condition called celiac disease according to forensic pathologist Dr. Melanie Ford. But isolated from outside support and fed Armand‘s lies that she had a brain tumor instead, Helene believed she was dying.
That dependency gave Armand even greater power and influence to torment her while publicly playing the role of supportive partner. Photos of Helene appearing increasingly gaunt and fatigued over months were praised by Armand‘s fans as proof of her enlightened spiritual journey.
Just before her death, Helene filmed confessional-style testimonials for Armand‘s channel about how his therapies helped her regain control over her anxiety and health woes. "It was a last attempt to save herself by convincing both Armand and his followers she was getting better so the abuse might stop," interprets Simmons. "The videos showed a helpless woman broken physically and emotionally."
Two days later, Helene Cordeli was dead.
The First Violent Attack
Las Vegas police first encountered Armand after receiving reports of a violently domestic assault on May 14th coming from his apartment. 23-year old Helene Cordeli was found barely conscious with clear evidence of strangulation including burst blood vessels in her eyes. Defensive wounds on her forearms and hands showed she had fought back desperately against someone‘s attack.
There were also signs of serious previous injuries in various stages of healing – facial fractures, cracked ribs, pelvic bruising. ‘‘The trauma revealed prolonged abuse, likely escalating until it reached a crisis point that evening,” analyzed investigating officer Lt. Akana. Armand admitted to restraining Helene too forcefully but claimed it occurred under the influence of ayahuasca, a potent hallucinogen they‘d ingested for spiritual healing. With no other witnesses though, charges relied solely on Helene’s testimony.
She refused to give one. Just 48 hours after the disturbing assault, Armand was posting smiling photos with Helene at an exclusive pool resort he’d taken her to “recover” at. ‘‘She felt trapped in his manipulative cycle of violence, apologies and honeymoon reward phases. It’s textbook coercive abuse,” explains Simmons. ‘‘By staying silent and returning to Armand, Helene likely hoped she could keep the peace and avoid further harm.”
Tragically for Helene, the worst was still to come.
The Cover-up and Exposure of a Brutal Murder
On June 21st, an anonymous 911 call came from Armand’s apartment, later identified as Armand himself by voice analysis technology according to Lt Akana. He claimed Helene had collapsed unconscious after an intense breathwork session. But arriving EMTs encountered Armand acting evasive and Helene with the lifeless body of a violent assault victim.
She had sustained massive blunt force trauma from punches or kicks so severe that her liver ruptured internally. Ligature marks and burst blood vessels around Helene’s neck and eyes indicated manual strangulation while she was still alive. Arching abrasions on her back evidenced being dragged across a rough surface. Defensive wounds showed she had continued fighting her attacker. But with over 75% blood loss into her abdomen, death had come slowly and agonizingly through hypovolemic shock.
Armand spun various stories about Helene fainting and hitting her head until finally apprehended trying to flee the area hours later.
Forensic clues exposed gaping holes in those claims though. Blood spatter patterns revealed the attack began in Armand‘s bedroom then moved through multiple areas like the living room and hallway, evidenced by streaks likely left by Helene desperately trying to escape at some point while bleeding profusely.
An arson attempt to set the rooms ablaze and destroy evidence had failed but did consume many of Helene’s personal items. ‘‘It‘s clear Armand wasn‘t trying to help her initially but was focused only on covering up the crime,” asserted Lt. Akana.
Internet history showed Armand had researched cleaning blood stains and recorded himself testing statements about Helene’s death to get stories straight before calling emergency services. He‘d also coordinated with two acquaintances who arrived before police to support his version of events.
Ultimately, the extreme nature and duration of violence left too many clues. Combined with vivid security footage of Armand beating Helene during the previous May attack then calmly driving her bloodied figure away, investigators had an overwhelming homicide case despite Armand‘s multiple attempts at false narratives around Helene’s death.
Downfall of a Social Media Mogul
The shocking murder charges against beloved YouTube star Armand drew intense media coverage. Many fans emotionally defended him, claiming Helene was already ill or must have provoked her own fate. Others decried the violence andmanipulation revealed under the surface of his content.
Facing extensive public scrutiny at trial, the depths of Armand’s fraudulent image and lack of conscience were exposed. The prosecution presented multiple other women traumatized by Armand’s psychological abuse or sexual coercion. Hotel staff testified witnessing his volatility, steroid use and demanding outbursts.
"In the end, his charismatic social media facade crumbled. Underneath was revealed a callous grifter desperate to achieve fame at any cost, with no authentic relationships or concern for others’ humanity," summarized criminologist Paulina Caine.
Sentenced to 20 years in prison, Armand maintains he accidentally killed Helene. But parole will require acceptance of guilt and remorse – something seemingly impossible for him admits Caine.
For Helene Cordeli’s grieving family, the justice is bittersweet. ‘‘We hope the truth about how she suffered gives the public understanding, so another trusting soul isn’t exploited as she was,” said elder brother Raphael Cordeli. Still, their pain over Helene’s choice to keep enduring secret abuse haunts them.
Armand’s downfall is hardly unique among image-obsessed internet influencers. Similar shocking betrayals of power have occurred recently like abusive prank YouTuber Sam Pepper and online religious leader Daehaeng Kun Sunim responsible for the death of a disabled follower.
Lt. Akana sees their cold-blooded manipulation of viewer trust as the most tragic consequence. "Followers drawn to the community and hope these influencers seem to offer instead end up psychologically coerced or physically damaged. The public must become aware and guarded about putting any influencer on an unquestioned pedestal. Even the most persuasive facade still hides the real human underneath."