A French streamer known online as Jean Pormanove has died during a live broadcast, prompting a police investigation and renewed scrutiny of the safety of live-streaming platforms.
Authorities confirmed that Jean Pormanove, whose real name was Raphaël Graven, died at his home in Contes, a small town north of Nice. The 46-year-old had been live-streaming on Kick, a platform similar to Twitch, when he reportedly fell asleep and did not wake up.
Local media reported that Mr Graven had struggled with violent episodes during streams and often suffered from severe sleep deprivation. His sudden death, captured live, has shocked his followers and raised questions about the pressures faced by online creators.
Clara Chappaz, France’s minister delegate for digital technologies and artificial intelligence, confirmed that a criminal investigation had been opened. She described the circumstances surrounding the streamer’s death as “an absolute horror” and said Mr Graven had been “humiliated for months”.
France’s High Commissioner for Children, Sarah El Haïry, also expressed alarm, calling the incident “horrifying” and stressing the responsibility of platforms to protect both creators and young audiences from violent or harmful content. “There is a huge responsibility on platforms to police internet content so that our kids don’t see violent things,” she wrote on X, urging parents to remain cautious.
The prosecutor’s office in Nice told AFP that an autopsy had been ordered to establish the cause of death.
Kick, the streaming platform where Mr Graven had built a large following, said it was “urgently reviewing” the events surrounding the tragedy. A spokesperson told the BBC: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Jean Pormanove and extend our condolences to his family, friends, and community. Our community rules are made to protect creators, and we remain committed to upholding these standards across our platform.”
Jean Pormanove had amassed over a million followers across social media, cultivating a dedicated community of viewers on Kick. His sudden passing has left fans and fellow streamers reeling.
Fellow streamer Owen Cenazandotti, known online as Naruto, posted a tribute on Instagram describing Mr Graven as his “brother, sidekick, partner”. He urged the public to respect his memory by not sharing videos of his final moments online.
The incident has intensified ongoing debates in France about online safety, platform responsibility, and the risks associated with long hours of unregulated live broadcasting. Campaigners have called for tighter oversight of streaming services, with some urging regulators to impose stricter guidelines to protect creators from burnout and harassment.
As police continue their investigation, questions remain over whether more could have been done to prevent Mr Graven’s death—and whether platforms like Kick can strike a balance between free expression and safeguarding vulnerable users.
