French Streamer Jean Pormanove Dies During Livestream Amid Abuse Allegations

French streamer Raphaël Graven, known online as Jean Pormanove, died on August 18, 2025, during a 298-hour livestream on the Kick platform. The 46-year-old was found unconscious by co-streamers in a rented residence in Contes, France. An autopsy revealed no signs of physical trauma or third-party involvement; further medical tests are pending.

Prior to his death, Pormanove was reportedly subjected to physical and psychological abuse during broadcasts, allegedly encouraged by viewer payments to increase subscriptions and revenue. A judicial investigation, initiated in December 2024, is examining "deliberate violence against vulnerable persons" and the dissemination of related images. Two co-streamers were briefly detained in January but denied the allegations, claiming the events were staged to generate publicity and income.

Clara Chappaz, France's Minister of Digital Affairs, described Pormanove's death as "absolutely horrific" and stated that he had been "humiliated and mistreated for months live on the Kick platform." She emphasized that online platforms have a legal responsibility to remove illegal content.

In response, Kick has banned all co-streamers involved in the broadcast pending the investigation's outcome. The platform expressed condolences and committed to cooperating fully with authorities, stating, "We are undertaking a comprehensive review of our French-language content."

Pormanove was known for participating in extended "marathon" broadcasts, often incentivizing viewers to subscribe or donate. He amassed over one million followers across various platforms, including more than 192,000 on Kick. The case has sparked a national debate in France regarding the responsibilities of streaming platforms and the need for clearer regulations to protect vulnerable users.