Police in Spain are investigating the tragic death of a streamer who reportedly died while participating in an extreme online challenge. The incident involved a live broadcast during which Sergio Jimenez, 37, allegedly consumed an entire bottle of whisky and snorted six grams of cocaine over a three-hour period. His lifeless body was discovered by his younger brother at their family home in Vilanova i la Geltrú, near Barcelona, while the livestream continued to air.
According to reports, Jimenez was found in a kneeling position beside his bed, described by family members as resembling a “prayer-like” pose. The livestream had not yet cut off, and voices from viewers could still be heard as they inquired about his condition, with some suggesting he might be “sleeping off a hangover” while encouraging him to finish the whisky.
On January 5, 2024, authorities confirmed they are conducting a thorough investigation into what Spanish media outlets are calling the country’s first fatality linked to an extreme online challenge. The regional police, Mossos d’Esquadra, are examining the circumstances surrounding Jimenez’s death, including whether any viewers or organizers might face criminal charges for promoting dangerous behavior.
Family members expressed concerns about Jimenez’s online activities prior to his death. His mother, Teresa, explained that they had received warnings about the increasingly perilous content he was producing. She recounted a moment shortly before the incident, saying, “I got up to go to the bathroom just before 2 a.m. and saw the door to his room was ajar. I asked him what he was doing, but he didn’t answer. I could see him kneeling on the bed, as if he were praying.”
After the alarm was raised, another brother, Daniel, rushed to the scene and found that Jimenez had already passed away. He reported seeing an almost empty bottle of whisky, several energy drink cans, and drugs on a plate near the computer that was still transmitting audio from the livestream.
Spanish media sources indicate that Jimenez had been streaming to a private audience, where viewers could donate money in exchange for increasingly extreme challenges. The investigation seeks to determine if any criminal activity occurred, especially in light of similar incidents involving extreme online content, such as the case of the French streamer Jean Pormanove.
Pormanove died last year following a controversial livestream described as “ten days and nights of torture,” which involved severe physical challenges. That investigation explored allegations of physical abuse and extreme sleep deprivation, but ultimately, no charges were filed, and an autopsy concluded that Pormanove’s death was not directly caused by another individual’s actions. The creators involved have insisted that the content was consensual.
As the investigation into Sergio Jimenez continues, authorities stress the importance of examining the impact of extreme online content on viewer behavior and participant safety. The tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with such challenges and the need for greater oversight in online streaming activities.
