The German YouTuber Jan Zimmermann, known for his channel "Gewitter im Kopf," has died, according to BILD sources. He was found lifeless on November 18 in his apartment in Königswinter. According to the Bonn police, who have launched a death investigation, the autopsy revealed no signs of third-party involvement.
Jan was one of the most well-known figures in the German YouTube community. Together with his friend Tim Lehmann, he founded the channel "Gewitter im Kopf," where he shared open and honest insights into his life with Tourette syndrome. Their videos captivated around 2 million followers.
Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary movements and sounds known as "tics." According to the Tourette Society Germany e.V., these can be motoric, such as blinking or twitches, or vocal, like throat clearing, words, or sounds. The intensity of the "tics" can vary and is often exacerbated by stress, excitement, or fatigue. "Tics" typically first appear during primary school years between the ages of 6 and 8.
According to BILD, Jan Zimmermann first spoke about his illness in 2019 during a report for the television program "Galileo." The report was so well received that the 27-year-old, together with his friend Tim Lehmann, founded a YouTube channel.
Fighting the symptoms
In 2022, Jan opted for a procedure in which a brain pacemaker was implanted to help reduce his "tics." Despite this intervention, his daily life remained affected by the neurological disorder.
Although the police have closed their investigation following his death, the exact cause of Jan Zimmermann’s passing remains unclear.