As social media continues to blur the lines between public and private, tragedy has found a stage in livestreams. The following nine cases are real stories of people murdered while livestreaming or during an active broadcast. These moments, once meant to connect, became digital crime scenes. A lot of people tend to be reckless on social media and rarely stop to consider the repercussions of their actions.
While no one should ever lose their life over something so senseless, we must all be mindful that exposing others online is not something everyone is okay with. If someone has gone to great lengths to keep certain things private, think twice before making them public. Not everything needs to be shared, and the cost of going viral can sometimes be irreversible.
Competition is a great thing, it pushes us to work harder, be more creative, and improve ourselves. But it should never lead to trying to eliminate someone else just because you can’t keep up. There’s room for everyone, and your journey doesn’t require destroying someone else’s path.
Johnathan Tremaine Robinson – Facebook Live Murderer
Profile & Online Presence
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37-year-old from Shreveport, Louisiana. Not an influencer, but used Facebook Live to stream the fatal incident.
The Tragic Incident
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On April 12, 2018, Robinson held his ex-girlfriend, Rannita Williams (27), hostage while she was live-streaming an apology to his new girlfriend. He then fatally shot her on camera with a rifle.
Aftermath and Investigation
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Robinson pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in January 2019. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole, plus an additional 100 years for shooting at responding police during an extended standoff.
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He apologized to Williams’ mother in court, who forgave him, and admitted remorse for wounding a police officer in the confrontation.
Why It Matters
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This case marked one of the earliest high-profile incidents of murder broadcast live. It revealed dangerous vulnerabilities in livestream platforms and prompted urgent calls for better content monitoring and emergency intervention protocols.
Zaria Khadejah Carr – “Dutchess Dior”
Profile & Online Presence
27-year-old Zaria Carr, from Twin City, Georgia, was known online as “Dutchess Dior,” with a strong presence on TikTok and Instagram. She frequently shared family moments and empowering content with her followers.
The Tragic Incident
On June 14, 2025, during a heated Facebook Live, Zaria was stabbed on camera by her husband, Shamarcus Jameal Carr, during a domestic dispute.
Aftermath and Investigation
He fled the scene but was later found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Wayne County, Georgia. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and local police are continuing their review of the case.
Why It Matters
A tragic example of domestic violence broadcast in real time. Her death reminds viewers that behind the screen are real lives, and platforms must do more to protect them.
Valeria Márquez – Mexican TikTok Influencer
Profile & Online Presence
23-year-old Valeria, a beauty salon owner and TikTok influencer from Jalisco, Mexico, had over 100K followers and regularly posted beauty content.
The Tragic Incident
On May 13, 2025, during a salon livestream, she was shot in the head by a man disguised as a delivery worker.
Aftermath and Investigation
Authorities believe the act was premeditated and potentially tied to femicide or organized crime. TikTok removed her profile shortly after the murder.
Why It Matters
Her death sheds light on the dangers faced by women in public spaces, even digital ones. Femicide continues to rise in Latin America, and platforms must recognize such risks.
Rodney & Tanisha Finley – “Finny Da Legend”
Profile & Online Presence
A married YouTube couple known for lighthearted content and live commentary from tourist spots. They were livestreaming in Las Vegas at the time of the attack.
The Tragic Incident
On June 8, 2025, during a livestream, they were shot and killed by rival YouTuber Manuel Ruiz near the Bellagio fountains.
Aftermath and Investigation
Ruiz was later arrested and charged with two counts of murder. The incident shocked viewers, including the couple’s son, who was watching live.
Why It Matters
This is one of the most public examples of influencer feuds ending in real-world violence. It raises alarms about how online rivalries can spiral offline.
Ezekiel Kelly – Facebook Live Shooting Spree
Profile & Online Presence
19-year-old Ezekiel Kelly from Memphis, Tennessee, had no influencer persona but used Facebook Live to document his crimes.
The Tragic Incident
On September 7, 2022, Kelly went on a shooting spree across Memphis, killing three and injuring three others, livestreaming it all.
Aftermath and Investigation
He was apprehended later that evening. He faces multiple murder charges and is awaiting trial.
Why It Matters
It demonstrated how violence and social media can converge in horrifying ways. Live video not only broadcast the crimes but spread fear instantly.
Payton Gendron – Buffalo Supermarket Massacre
Profile & Online Presence
An 18-year-old white supremacist, Gendron livestreamed a mass shooting via Twitch with a GoPro helmet cam.
The Tragic Incident
On May 14, 2022, he killed 10 Black shoppers at a Buffalo grocery store in a racially motivated attack.
Aftermath and Investigation
He pleaded guilty and received life in prison without parole. Twitch removed the video within two minutes, but copies had already spread.
Why It Matters
A chilling case of digital radicalization turning deadly. The livestream shocked global audiences and reignited debates around hate speech and online extremism.
Serena McKay – Facebook Live Murder, Canada
Profile & Online Presence
19-year-old McKay was a high school senior from Sagkeeng First Nation in Manitoba, Canada.
The Tragic Incident
In April 2017, she was viciously beaten by two teenage girls. The assault was filmed and posted to Facebook Live.
Aftermath and Investigation
One of the attackers was sentenced as a youth, the other as an adult. The graphic video remained online for hours before takedown.
Why It Matters
This case raised global questions about how slow platforms are to remove violent content, especially when victims are minors or Indigenous women.
Luis Manuel Medina – Dominican Broadcaster
Profile & Online Presence
Veteran radio host from the Dominican Republic, known for news commentary and livestreams of his shows.
The Tragic Incident
On February 14, 2017, Medina was shot dead while broadcasting live on Facebook from the 103.5 FM studio. His co-host and producer were also killed.
Aftermath and Investigation
Authorities believe it was a targeted attack tied to an investigation he was conducting.
Why It Matters
This murder highlighted the vulnerability of journalists in Latin America and the power of livestreaming to expose real-time violence.
Savon Tyler – Instagram Livestream Shooting
Profile & Online Presence
Savon Tyler and his girlfriend Lauren Martin were content creators who often filmed personal moments.
The Tragic Incident
In November 2024, during a dispute, Tyler livestreamed himself fatally shooting Martin. The video was viewed by several before being taken down.
Aftermath and Investigation
Tyler was arrested and charged with second-degree murder.
Why It Matters
Another case of intimate partner violence playing out online. It underscores how livestreams are increasingly being used to document fatal domestic incidents.
These eight lives reflect different backgrounds, countries, and platforms—but they share one grim common thread: death on livestream. What was once a tool for creativity, conversation, or connection has also become a stage for tragedy.
Let these names be remembered not as digital footnotes, but as cautionary tales.
It’s time to treat livestream violence as a public safety issue—not content.
