Gonzalo Lira

Gonzalo Ángel Quintilio Lira López ([ɣonˈsalo ˈaŋxel kinˈtiljo ˈlira ˈlopes], February 29, 1968 – January 12, 2024) was a Chilean-American novelist, screenwriter, filmmaker, self-styled dating coach, YouTuber, political commentator, blogger and vlogger. At one point in his career as a novelist, Lira was described as the 'highest paid Chilean writer in the world'. Lira would later become involved in the manosphere, posting anti-feminist content under the name Coach Red Pill. By the time of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, Lira had been living in Ukraine for years, and as a resident of Kharkiv, Lira started vlogging about the Russian invasion, soon being described by Ukrainian officials and Western researchers and media as spreading Russian disinformation and propaganda. In April 2022, Lira disappeared briefly in Ukraine, stating upon his release he had been detained by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). In May 2023, Lira was again arrested by the SBU, and this time charged with 'producing and publishing material that tried to justify the ongoing Russian invasion', something illegal under Ukrainian law. Lira was released on bail and subsequently tried to flee the country. He was arrested again for violating his bail conditions, and died of pneumonia in custody on January 12, 2024. However, the narrative surrounding his death has been heavily scrutinized since, with some suggesting that he was killed by the SBU or some other Ukrainian military agency.