LOS ANGELES — In a devastating blow to the global streaming community, Imane Anys, better known as Pokimane, was found dead in her West Hollywood apartment early Monday morning. The 29-year-old Canadian-Moroccan content creator, who rose to fame as one of Twitch’s most influential female streamers, was pronounced dead at the scene by Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) paramedics at 6:47 AM PST.
According to official statements from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and LAFD, the preliminary cause of death is acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning resulting from a malfunctioning portable propane heater. The device — identified as a Mr. Heater Buddy MH9BX — had been subject to a nationwide safety recall in March 2023 due to a defective pressure valve that could cause gas leaks.
Timeline of a Tragic Night
Pokimane’s final livestream began at 10:03 PM PST on Sunday, November 2, where she played Valorant with friends and engaged with over 42,000 concurrent viewers. At 2:11 AM, she signed off with a casual remark that would later haunt her community:
“Chat, I’m freezing in here. West Hollywood decided to be Canada tonight. Turning on the heater — see you tomorrow!”
Three minutes later, at 2:14 AM, she posted an Instagram Story (now archived by fans) showing the Mr. Heater Buddy glowing red in her soundproofed streaming room. The caption read: “finally warm 🥶” — accompanied by a selfie in her signature pink hoodie.
Security footage obtained by CNN shows the heater positioned less than 8 inches from her gaming chair, with all windows sealed with acoustic foam tape — a common practice among streamers to reduce background noise.
Her roommate and longtime manager, Josh Ellum, returned home at 6:12 AM after an overnight editing session for an upcoming Myna Snacks campaign. He immediately noticed a strong chemical odor and found Anys slumped over her desk, lips blue, and unresponsive.
“I shook her, screamed her name — nothing,” Ellum told CNN in an exclusive statement. “The room felt wrong. I opened the window and called 911 within 30 seconds.”
LAFD Engine 41 arrived at 6:28 AM and recorded CO levels at 1,200 ppm — over 15 times the lethal threshold. Paramedics attempted resuscitation for 19 minutes before declaring her dead.
Medical and Forensic Findings
The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office conducted an expedited autopsy Monday afternoon. Preliminary results, obtained exclusively by CNN, reveal:
- Carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) level: 68% (normal: <2%; lethal: >50%)
- Time of death: Estimated between 3:30 AM and 4:30 AM
- No alcohol, illicit drugs, or trauma
- Toxicology: Vyvanse 70mg (prescribed for ADHD), caffeine 12.4 mg/L (elevated but non-contributory)
- No suicide note or signs of foul play
Dr. Maria Chen, Chief Medical Examiner, stated:
“This was a preventable tragedy. Carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless, and fast-acting. In a sealed room with a faulty heater, unconsciousness can occur within 20 minutes, death within two hours.”
The Recalled Heater: A Known Danger
The Mr. Heater Buddy MH9BX was recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in March 2023 after 14 reported CO incidents, including three fatalities. The defect: a pressure regulator valve that could fail under normal use, releasing propane indoors.
Despite the recall, over 180,000 units were sold at major retailers including Walmart, Amazon, and Home Depot. Pokimane’s unit bore an expired safety inspection sticker and was purchased secondhand in 2022, according to purchase records reviewed by CNN.
CPSC Alert (Updated 11/3/2025):
“Consumers should immediately stop using recalled Mr. Heater Buddy models and contact Enerco Group for a free repair or replacement.”
A Community in Mourning
Within minutes of the news breaking, #PokimaneRIP surged to #1 trending worldwide on X (formerly Twitter), amassing 42 million posts in under four hours. #CheckYourHeater followed, with streamers across platforms going dark in tribute.
Valkyrae, a close friend and former OfflineTV member, posted at 7:03 AM:
“She called me at midnight to talk about collab ideas. I can’t breathe. Please, everyone — check your homes. She would want that.”
xQc shut down his stream mid-sentence:
“I just heard. I’m done for today. Rest in peace, Poki.”
Twitch issued an official statement at 8:30 AM:
“Pokimane was a pioneer, a friend, and a force for good. Her channel will remain archived. Mental health and safety resources are available 24/7.”
Myna Snacks, Anys’ healthy snack brand launched in 2024, announced a full production halt and a $1 million donation to the American Lung Association in her name.
Tributes Pour In
- LilyPichu: “She taught me how to be confident on camera. I’ll never forget her laugh.”
- Disguised Toast: “The queen of Twitch. This hurts more than words.”
- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: “A proud Canadian who inspired millions. Our condolences to her family.”
Fans gathered outside her apartment building by 10:00 AM, leaving flowers, LED candles, and Myna Snacks bars wrapped in pink ribbon.
Investigation and Accountability
The LAPD Homicide Division has ruled out foul play but is investigating potential landlord negligence. Building records show the apartment’s central heating system was non-functional since October 28, forcing tenants to use portable units.
OSHA has launched a probe into whether the property management company, West Hollywood Luxury Living LLC, failed to provide safe alternative heating or CO detectors — required under California law.
A Preventable Loss
Pokimane’s death has reignited national conversations about streamer safety, recall compliance, and indoor air quality. Experts urge:
- Install CO detectors on every level of your home
- Never use portable propane heaters indoors
- Ventilate rooms when using space heaters
- Check CPSC.gov for active recalls
Final Words from Her Community
In her last YouTube video, uploaded October 31, Pokimane said:
“Take care of yourselves, okay? Log off, open a window, drink water. I love you.”
Today, millions are doing just that — in her memory.
CNN has reached out to Enerco Group (Mr. Heater), West Hollywood Luxury Living LLC, and Pokimane’s family for comment. This story will be updated as new information becomes available.
If you or someone you know has been affected by carbon monoxide exposure, call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 immediately.
