French Streamer Dies During Livestream Amid Abuse Allegations

French authorities are investigating the death of Raphaël Graven, 46, known online as Jean Pormanove, who died during a livestream on the platform Kick. Graven was found unresponsive in a rented residence in Contes, near Nice, on August 18, 2025. He had been broadcasting continuously for nearly 12 days, during which he appeared to endure physical and psychological abuse from fellow streamers.

The Nice prosecutor's office has initiated an investigation to determine the cause of death and has ordered an autopsy. French Secretary of State for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Affairs Clara Chappaz described the incident as "an absolute horror," stating that Graven was "humiliated and mistreated for months live on the Kick platform." She emphasized that "the responsibility of online platforms regarding the dissemination of illicit content is not optional: it is the law."

Kick has announced that all individuals involved in the broadcast have been banned pending the ongoing investigation and has pledged full cooperation with authorities. The platform stated, "We are deeply saddened by the loss of Jean Pormanove and extend our condolences to his family, friends, and community."

This case has sparked a national debate in France regarding the regulation of online content and the responsibilities of streaming platforms in preventing the dissemination of harmful material.