Influencer died while live-streaming himself eating poisonous centipedes
Topics: Social Media, China
Callum Jones
Featured Image Credit: DouYu / Getty Stock Image
Topics: Social Media, China
A vlogger died after reportedly eating centipedes and geckos alive during a live-stream.
Thanks to the rise in platforms such as Twitch, Kick and even YouTube, we've seen some pretty wild challenges take place during live-streams.
This was particularly the case during the Covid-19 pandemic when we didn't have too much to do other look at a screen all day long.
However, not all challenges are good fun and one streamer tragically lost his life in 2019.
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The 35-year-old man, who simply went by his surname of Sun, lived in east China, and reportedly filmed himself drinking large amounts of alcohol and eating centipedes, geckos and mealworms.
Xinan Evening News reported at the time the streamer's account was followed by 15,000 people on DouYu and he would host live-streams every night.
Sun thought he would try and bolster his following with a spinning wheel challenge.
The wheel was marked with items including centipedes, geckos, mealworms, vinegar, eggs and beer - so items more appealing than others, obviously.
Sun would eat whatever the wheel landed on while live in front of the camera.
However, two days after the stream, police said they found the man unconscious in his room and without vital signs.
They also discovered his computer was in live-stream mode, while those investigating the scene reportedly discovered food items used in the stream on his desk.
Sun's videos were immediately removed DouYu, a Chinese site comparable to YouTube.
Police did not specify during their investigations what kind of geckos and centipedes Sun ingested. However, eating any kind is never a wise move.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that reptiles such as geckos can be carriers for salmonella and warns people to be careful even when just handling them.
It also advises pet owners to thoroughly wash their hands after coming into contact with geckos while also keeping their animals away from areas where food is being prepared.
"Don't kiss or snuggle with reptiles and amphibians because this can increase your risk of getting sick," the CDC states.
"Persons who think they might have become ill from contact with reptiles should talk to a health care provider."
Police ruled out foul play in the Sun's death but were investigating the cause of his passing.
No further update has been shared.