French streamer known for extreme challenges dies during livestream
A French streamer known for his gaming videos and extreme challenges has died during a live broadcast.
Local newspaper Le Parisien reported that Raphaël Graven, also known as Jean Pormanove or JP, died between Sunday, Aug. 17, and Monday, Aug. 18, in Contes near Nice (Alpes-Maritimes). He was 46.
Graven's entourage has confirmed the news.
"I've always dreaded the day I'd have to write these words. Sadly, last night, JP (Raphaël Graven) left us. (...) I ask you all to respect his memory and not share the video of his last breath in his sleep," his fellow streamer, known as Naruto, posted on Instagram Story.
Rumors of Graven's death had been spreading on social media for several hours after a livestream video showed a man resembling him lying motionless on a mattress covered with a duvet, his head barely visible, and unresponsive to the calls of others who appeared to be waking him up.
"He's in a really weird position," someone in the stream said before it was abruptly cut off.
Pormanove, who had over 500,000 followers across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitch, and Kick, streamed his gaming and extreme challenges with contemporaries like Naruto and Safine.
In December 2024, local investigative outlet Mediapart reported how Kick allegedly allows creators to broadcast violent acts for months, and Graven and Safine were arrested in January as part of a preliminary investigation. They denied any wrongdoing and were released.
Kick's terms of service state that it's prohibited to publish content that contains "self-harm or excessive violence," as well as "illegal content or content in furtherance of harmful or illegal activities."
Clara Chappaz, French Minister in Charge of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Affairs, on X called Graven's death an "absolute horror."
Chappaz called out Kick, saying Graven had been “humiliated and mistreated for months live on the Kick platform."
"A judicial investigation is underway. I have referred the matter to Arcom and made a report on Pharos. I have also contacted the platform's management to obtain explanations," she said.
"The responsibility of online platforms regarding the dissemination of illicit content is not optional: it is the law. This type of failure can lead to the worst and has no place in France, Europe, or anywhere else," she added.
According to BBC News, a Kick spokesperson said they are "urgently reviewing" circumstances surrounding the content creator's passing.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Jeanpormanove and extend our condolences to his family, friends and community," they told the media outlet, noting that their community guidelines were "designed to protect creators" and that they have been "committed to upholding these standards across our platform."
