The death of a man in Vilanova i la Geltrú during a live internet broadcast is under investigation.

BarcelonaThe Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan police) have opened an investigation into the death of a man in Vilanova i la Geltrú while he was broadcasting live online. According to police sources, officers found the man dead in his home in the early hours of December 31st and are now investigating the circumstances surrounding his death. The Newspaper, However, the man was 37 years old and died while participating in a live online challenge. According to the newspaper, citing family witnesses, it was the victim's brother who found him dead in his room. His computer was on, and voices could still be heard on the screen asking if he was "sleeping off withdrawal." In the same room, they found an almost empty bottle of whiskey, two cans of energy drinks, and traces of cocaine. The man had been live-streaming himself consuming the cocktail that ultimately proved fatal. The victim's family told the same newspaper that these viewers had paid for the bottle of whiskey and six grams of cocaine, with the challenge of finishing it all in under three hours. The family also explained that the man was undergoing psychiatric treatment for drug addiction and was taking medication incompatible with alcohol. Police sources explain that the investigation will determine whether there may be any criminal offenses against those who incited him to take the challenge.

The precedent in France

If the circumstances of the death are confirmed, this would be the first victim in the State related to this type of online challenge. A few months ago, a similar case shocked France. In that case, the musician Raphael Graven also died during a live broadcast on the Kick platform after twelve days of being subjected to abuse and beatings.

In the State, the most well-known case of this type of content is that of Simón Pérez and Silvia Charro. They both became famous in 2017 with a viral video about mortgages that they apparently recorded while under the influence of drugs. However, in recent years they have gained notoriety for performing dangerous challenges and using drugs live on air in exchange for money. Both were, in fact, banned from the Kick platform shortly after Graven's death.

As explained The NewspaperThe victim from Vilanova i la Geltrú knew Pérez, who is also from the capital of the Garraf region. They had appeared together in some live videos. In fact, in one of his last live streams, which can still be found on YouTube, Simón Pérez himself explained his friend's death. "It seems he messed up a two-gram line, and I had warned them that two grams was an overdose," he explained.