In August 2019, Holowka was accused of physical and emotional abuse by Zoë Quinn.[9][10] The day following the accusation, the Night in the Woods development team cut ties with Holowka, with Scott Benson writing "We take such allegations seriously as a team";[11] the team stated that other corroborating evidence related to the accusations had been presented to them.[10][12] Their publisher, Finji, backed the team's decision, and also postponed plans to publish physical copies of the game in wake of the allegations.[11][13]
Holowka died by suicide on 31 August 2019.[14] According to his sister, who posted to Twitter about his death, Holowka had been "battling mood and personality disorders" through his life and "was a victim of abuse".[15] She explained he had been trying to correct his own disorders in recent years through therapy and medication. She also stated that Holowka "said he wished the best for Zoë and everyone else".[15][16]
