Friends and fans have paid tribute to a Sheffield TikTok star ‘exploited for likes’ by people plying her with alcohol to sing for the camera, as police confirmed a woman has been arrested in connection with her death.
A woman named locally as Keeley Thorton – known as ‘Sheffield Keeley’ on social media platform TikTok – was reportedly found unconscious in the city centre on Tuesday, January 14.
A member of the public gave her CPR before emergency services arrived at Arundel Gate and the 34-year-old was taken to hospital.
Despite the efforts of medics, she was later pronounced dead.
Her death is being treated as unexplained and a woman has been arrested on suspicion of administering a noxious substance in connection with Keely’s death. She has since been released on bail, The Star reports.
Keeley was mostly known as ‘Sheffield Keeley’ on TikTok and was sought out by people to video her singing popular songs.
But despite bringing ‘joy’ and going viral, homelessness organisation The Archer Project claims Keeley was ‘exploited for likes’.
In a blog post published on Wednesday, January 15, a spokesman said: ‘Just for likes, that’s what it comes down to. They exploited her just for likes.
‘When we say exploited, that’s what we mean. It wasn’t a casual filming of someone you come across, which many think is bad enough.
‘No, she was sought out, she told us she was given money to be on social media, to swim in fountains in the middle of winter or dance in an inebriated state like a performing clown or whatever.
‘She was effectively being fed booze to perform because that was her addiction.
‘Dance and we’ll give you more of what you crave, what you can’t do without, what your body craves and needs. Dance and we’ll reward you with the funds to buy more.
‘Some will say they didn’t know. Come on, let’s be real, it was hard to not know.
‘Her alcoholism was the attraction, her fuelled with drink and what she would do when drunk, that was the sought after video.
‘She didn’t have the ability to care for herself in any way. She was physically at risk, emotionally at sea and unable to assess safety from danger.
‘The truth is she was a person, a daughter, a niece. She was a human being not an entertainment.’
The spokesman said a number of organisations worked to try to stop the exploitation, and many agencies are now considering what they could have done differently.
They wrote: ‘What we do know is that voyeuristic social media gurus worked against those of us who were supporting her.
‘They made her life worse. Today we will mourn, we will think of her and her family and the hurt they will be feeling.’
Dozens have taken to social media – including the platform which made her famous – to offer their condolences and pay tribute.
Among them was Tom Blewitt, who wrote: ‘Heartbreaking news tonight. RIP Keeley Thornton, You didn’t have the best of situations in life but you lived it to the full girl.’
Another, Kieran Simpson, said: ‘I’m so sorry for her family my thoughts are with you rip Keely you was lovely to meet you.
‘You rest easy now your away from all the idiots.’
Others re-posted videos of Keeley performing, with text across it saying ‘RIP’ and ‘fly high’.
A GoFundMe page has been set up, with £2,255 raised so far to help Keeley’s family.
Organiser Cherie Lowe wrote on the page: ‘I’m fundraising for a young lady called Keeley Thornton known as cotton wool to me but to others some know her as Sheffield Keeley.
‘She is now at peace fly like a bird she had a beautiful heart.
‘We would all like to help all the family at this sad time.’
Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 and quote incident number 782 of January 14, 2025.
