How a paid ‘whiskey and cocaine’ challenge killed a Spanish streamer on New Year’s Eve

Sergio Jimenez had previously caught attention through appearances in videos by streamer Simon Perez (Image source: @jimenezramos/Instagram)

A 37-year-old streamer from Spain died during a private New Year’s Eve livestream in which he consumed alcohol and drugs on camera in return for money, according to a report by People magazine.

The streamer, identified as Sergio Jimenez, took on a paid challenge that involved drinking a full bottle of whisky and consuming cocaine while viewers watched remotely. As part of the stunt, Jimenez had promised to take as much as six grams of cocaine along with the alcohol. He was broadcasting privately when he suddenly collapsed, and reports state he died before medical help reached him.

Jimenez’s mother, Teresa, who lived with him, found him unresponsive in his bedroom in the early hours of January 1. “I got up to go to the bathroom just before 2 am and saw the door to his room was ajar. I asked him what he was doing, but he didn’t answer. I tried to go in, but there were clothes or something on the bedroom floor, and I couldn’t,” she said,” People reported.

“I kept asking him from outside, but he didn’t answer. I could see him kneeling on the bed, as if he were praying,” she added.

The report added that Spanish authorities have launched a probe into the incident, described as the first recorded fatality in the country linked to a livestreamed challenge. An autopsy has been ordered to establish the cause of death.

Jimenez had previously caught attention through appearances in videos by streamer Simon Perez, who is known for drug use during livestreams.

Days later, without directly mentioning the incident, the Catalonia police force, Mossos d’Esquadra, released a video on January 6 warning against viral challenges that could “endanger your life or physical safety.” In the video, officers warned that these trends can result in intoxication, physical and psychological harm, damage to one’s reputation, and possible legal repercussions, the report stated.

“It is important to be aware that some trends can have consequences if they involve acts of vandalism or aggression,” an officer said.