French police are looking into the death of a well-known streamer, Raphaël Graven, known online as Jean Pormanove or JP. He died during a 12-day livestream that ended in tragedy after he reportedly faced serious abuse while viewers watched.
The Nice prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation and ordered an autopsy, but no charges have been made yet. Pormanove, 46, had a massive following, boasting over a million fans across various platforms, and he often took part in extreme challenges that involved humiliation and aggression.
During one of his final streams, Pormanove appeared alongside other streamers including Owen Cenazandotti (Naruto) and Safine Hamadi. Cenazandotti shared the news of Pormanove’s death on Instagram. Disturbingly, after Pormanove stopped moving during the livestream, viewers started donating money to alert his fellow streamers about his condition.
In videos from his past streams, Pormanove is seen being bullied and subjected to degrading stunts. Fellow streamers would often compete to see who could throttle him longer or shoot him with paintballs. It’s still unclear how much of this abuse was staged or if Pormanove consented to it.
Pormanove’s last stream generated about 36,000 euros ($42,000) in donations, showing how popular yet troubling these types of broadcasts can be. In one segment, co-streamers used loud noises, like revving motorcycles, to wake him up, even throwing water on him at one point.
Yassin Sadouni, a lawyer for Cenazandotti, mentioned that Pormanove had cardiovascular issues and had been on medication. In past clips, Pormanove expressed feeling like a prisoner in the situation. He had shared messages about being unhappy with how he was treated, saying, “I feel like I’m being held prisoner by their sh***y concept.”
Pormanove’s mother also expressed concern, scolding him for allowing the streamers to shave parts of his hair. She commented, “They are treating you like s***.” It’s set to spark conversations about the ethics of such content, especially under the influence of social media trends that often reward extreme behavior for views.
The conditions surrounding Pormanove’s death have ignited discussions on digital accountability. French Secretary of State for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Affairs, Clara Chappaz, called the events a “horror,” stating that Pormanove had been mistreated for an extended period. Kick, the streaming platform used, has banned those involved in the stream while cooperating with the investigation.
Statistics show that online abuse and hazing culture in various streaming communities are becoming growing concerns. According to a survey from the Anti-Bullying Alliance, nearly 50% of young gamers reported experiencing or witnessing bullying during online play. This incident may further highlight the need for stricter regulations on streaming platforms to protect vulnerable creators.
As the investigation continues, it raises vital questions about the responsibilities of platforms like Kick. How can they ensure the safety of their users? The safety of individuals in digital spaces is more critical now than ever.
