Jesse Ridgway speaks out on death threats after ending pregnancy due to Down syndrome
Key takeaways
- After the couple read the results, Jesse said that they’d discussed beforehand whether they’d consider terminating the pregnancy. “I know this is traumatic for the whole community.
- Jesse told The Times over a phone call on Thursday evening, with Ashley beside him as she recovered from her procedure, that sharing the diagnosis online happened accidentally.
- At 22, Malcolm Todd wants to make music that reflects him and his journey.
You Tube influencers Jesse and Ashley Ridgway shared with their audience that they terminated a pregnancy following a test result showing Down syndrome. (Randy Shropshire / Getty Images for Streamy Awards) By Emily St. Martin Staff Writer Follow June 4, 2026 10:51 PM PT 3 5 min Click here to listen to this article Share via Close extra sharing options Email Facebook X Linked In Threads Reddit Whats App Copy Link URL Copied! Print 0:00 0:00 1x This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.
YouTuber Jesse Ridgway and his wife, Ashley, shared that they terminated their pregnancy following a Down syndrome diagnosis. What happened online afterward has shocked the couple, but Jesse said he is hopeful that sharing their experience may help other couples feel less alone.
The YouTuber, who’s been a content creator for 20 years and has more than 4.3 million subscribers on his main channel, shared a video on his personal YouTube channel last week that featured he and his wife receiving the results of an amniocentesis — a test for certain genetic abnormalities, chromosomal conditions, and fetal infections — and the results were consistent with Trisomy 21, or Down syndrome.