Last updated: January 5, 2026

Catalan police (Mossos d’Esquadra) are investigating the death of Sergio Jiménez Ramos (37), a Spanish streamer who reportedly died in Vilanova i la Geltrú (near Barcelona) during the early hours of December 31, 2025, in connection with a private online broadcast. Authorities say the case remains under investigation, with final conclusions dependent on autopsy and toxicology results.

What happened (what’s reported vs. what’s confirmed)

Reported by major outlets

Multiple Spanish outlets report that the livestream was restricted to a private group and linked to viewer payments/donations, with viewers allegedly encouraging or funding escalating “dares.”

According to reports that cite family witnesses, Jiménez reportedly accepted a challenge to consume a bottle of whiskey and about six grams of cocaine within three hours. The same reporting describes him being found by his brother, with his computer still on and voices still audible on the stream; items reportedly found in the room included an (almost) empty whiskey bottle, energy drinks, and traces of cocaine.

Media reporting also notes (via family accounts) that he was undergoing psychiatric treatment and taking medication described as incompatible with alcohol, which is part of why investigators are examining possible “incitement to risky behavior.”

Confirmed by police status (at minimum)

Police have opened an investigation into the death of a 37-year-old man in Vilanova i la Geltrú connected to a live online broadcast, and the circumstances are being examined, including whether incitement to risky behavior could be relevant. Cause of death remains under investigation pending autopsy.

Bottom line

This is being handled as a suspected fatal intoxication/poisoning case (acute substance toxicity), not a “poisoned by an enemy” scenario. The precise medical cause awaits official reporting.

Why alcohol + cocaine can be especially dangerous

When ethanol (alcohol) and cocaine are used together, the body can form cocaethylene, an active metabolite associated with prolonged effects and potential higher cardiovascular risk compared with cocaine alone.

Cocaine toxicity itself can cause:

• Tachycardia, severe hypertension

• Coronary vasospasm / myocardial ischemia

• Dysrhythmias

• Stroke, seizures, hyperthermia

• Sudden death

And in ED overdose populations, cocaethylene exposure has been associated with higher occurrence of cardiac arrest compared with cocaine exposure alone.

Warning signs that require emergency care

Call emergency services immediately if someone has:

• Chest pain, trouble breathing, collapse or fainting

• Seizure, severe agitation/confusion, hallucinations

• Very high fever/hyperthermia, severe tremor or rigidity

• Blue/gray lips, slowed or irregular breathing, unresponsiveness

If you’re in the U.S. and someone is in immediate danger: call 911.

If you’re looking for help for substance use (not an emergency): SAMHSA’s National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP) is free and confidential.

The bigger public-health issue: monetizing harm

This story sits at a grim intersection of:

• Substance use disorder and mental health vulnerability

• Closed-group livestreaming

• Direct financial incentives for increasingly risky behavior

• Bystander encouragement turning into potential legal exposure

Spanish reporting indicates investigators are specifically looking at whether viewers incited or materially enabled the dangerous behavior.

Quick FAQ

Is this “poisoning”?

Clinically, fatal intoxication is a form of poisoning. This case is being reported as drug/alcohol toxicity rather than third-party “poisoning.”

Is the cause of death confirmed?

Not publicly in final medical terms as of Jan 5, 2026. Reports emphasize an ongoing investigation and reliance on autopsy/toxicology.

Why is alcohol with cocaine worse than either alone?

Co-use can generate cocaethylene and is linked to increased neurologic/cardiac emergencies and cardiovascular fatalities.

References

• El País (Jan 4, 2026) – Report on the private New Year’s Eve livestream and context

• Ara (Jan 4, 2026) – Mossos investigation; reported challenge details

• elDiario.es (Jan 4–5, 2026) – Summary and updates

• El Confidencial (Jan 4, 2026) – Investigation and autopsy pending

• NCBI Bookshelf (StatPearls): Cocaine Toxicity

• Pergolizzi et al. (2022, PMC): “Cocaethylene: When Cocaine and Alcohol Are Taken Together”

• Shastry et al. (2023, PubMed): Cocaethylene and cardiac arrest association in ED overdose patients

• Shastry et al. (2022/2023, PMC full text): Cocaethylene cardiotoxicity in ED patients

• SAMHSA: National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP)