November 26, 2025, 6:01 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
YouTuber Jan Zimmermann captivated millions with his videos—suddenly, he is dead, having passed away from an epileptic seizure. A neurologist explains the risk of such seizures. Below, you’ll also learn how to recognize an epileptic seizure and how to provide assistance.
Many Moved by Death of Internet Star Jan Zimmermann Due to Epileptic Seizure
The death of YouTube star Jan Zimmermann has affected many people. The 27-year-old, who openly discussed his life with Tourette syndrome on his channel “Gewitter im Kopf,” reportedly died suddenly and unexpectedly from an epileptic seizure, according to a statement on Nov. 18. A death from an epileptic seizure draws attention. Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic neurological disorders: In Germany, around 640,000 people live with it, according to the German Brain Foundation.1 According to the Epilepsy Center Freiburg, about five percent of the population experiences at least one epileptic seizure in their lifetime.2 Epilepsy can occur at any age and comes in various forms.
“Many people are affected, but they can usually lead a normal life with medication,” said Uwe Meier, chairman of the Professional Association of German Neurologists, to the “dpa.” However, potential risks and complications must be understood.
What Happens During an Epileptic Seizure
During a seizure, the brain—or specific areas of it—becomes overactive. Too many nerve cells fire simultaneously. This can cause severe convulsions, fainting, and serious consciousness disturbances.
The sight of uncontrolled twitching is often unsettling for bystanders, Meier explains. “The external impression is often much more dramatic than what it does to the body.” Most seizures have no lasting effects and end after one to two minutes.
Epilepsy is diagnosed when a patient has had at least two epileptic seizures “for which no cause or trigger is identifiable. Or if further examination reveals a high risk of additional seizures,” according to the website of the Epilepsy Center Freiburg. A single epileptic seizure due to excessive alcohol consumption, high fever, or extremely low blood sugar is not considered epilepsy.
When Epileptic Seizures Become Dangerous
They often strike without warning, which can lead to injuries, such as falls on stairs or against furniture edges. Particularly critical are situations like swimming, climbing, or driving, where fainting can be life-threatening.
Additionally, there are sudden, unexpected deaths among epilepsy patients, medically known as SUDEP (sudden unexpected death in epilepsy). “This is a rare but feared complication, where the exact cause is unknown,” Meier says. Possible causes include breathing or heart rhythm disturbances that suddenly lead to death.
According to the Epilepsy Center at the University Hospital Freiburg, one in 4,500 children with epilepsy experiences such a sudden and unexpected death each year.3 For adults, the risk is one to ten per 1,000 epilepsy patients. “In most cases, patients die in their sleep,” reads the website of the Freiburg Epilepsy Center. The main risk for SUDEP is “generalized tonic-clonic seizures, especially when they occur during sleep.” Other risk factors include:
- early onset of epilepsy
- treatment with multiple antiepileptic drugs
- frequent medication changes or irregular intake
- multiple disabilities
Whether Jan Zimmermann’s death was a case of SUDEP is unclear.
How to Prevent Seizures—and Are There Warning Systems?
The most important thing is proper medication management and consistent medication intake, Meier emphasizes. “This protects against seizures—and no seizures mean no complications.”
Lifestyle also plays a role: Stress, sleep deprivation, and alcohol can increase the risk and should be avoided as much as possible.
According to the German Epilepsy Association, there are also technical systems for seizure detection—such as wearables that measure changes in heart rate and other parameters, or sensors for beds or movement. However, they cannot reliably detect every type of seizure and cannot predict seizures.
Tonic-clonic seizures can be well recognized with these systems. This can significantly reduce the risk of sudden epilepsy death (SUDEP), according to an information paper from the association. The Epilepsy Association provides an overview of these wearables here.
Meier considers these systems useful in certain situations but points out: “Someone must be present to respond.” For most affected individuals, seizures are rare—provided the medication works reliably. “But there are patients who are difficult to manage, and in those cases, such systems can be a valuable help.”
How to Properly Help When Witnessing an Epileptic Seizure
Always take action, stay calm, and protect the affected individuals from onlookers. Helpers should secure the environment, such as moving furniture away to prevent injury, advises the Epilepsy Association. If the seizure lasts longer than five minutes, a doctor must be called and—if available—an emergency medication administered. “It could then be a status epilepticus that needs to be interrupted with medication.” If you know the person is having an epileptic seizure for the first time, you should generally call emergency services.
When a Tic Disorder Becomes Tourette Syndrome
Causes, Symptoms and Progression of Epilepsy
Do Not Hold the Affected Person
What must be avoided: holding the affected person. Many do not want this, and the violent twitching poses a risk of injury to both parties. Also taboo is placing something between the teeth—this poses a choking hazard. It can be helpful, however, to place a soft jacket under the head.
Does Tourette’s Increase the Risk of Epilepsy?
Some studies suggest it does. A study from Taiwan, published in 2016 in the journal “Research in Developmental Disabilities,” found a significantly increased risk in children with Tourette syndrome compared to children without Tourette syndrome.4
YouTuber Jan Zimmermann had been diagnosed with epilepsy. He had also spoken about it in his videos.
With material from dpa