Raphaël Graven, known by the pseudonym “Jean Pormanove,” passed away during the night of August 17th to 18th in Contes, near Nice. Aged 46, he was livestreaming on the platform Kick. His death, filmed and then broadcasted, raises questions about the world of streaming and the conditions of its broadcasts.
Died during a stream in front of hundreds of people. On screens, the images circulate: a streamer fades away live, lying under a blanket. The video lasts a few minutes. You can see Raphaël Graven, alias “Jean Pormanove”, breathing with difficulty. Next to him, other men try to wake him up. One of them throws a plastic bottle at him. Moments later, the broadcast cuts off.
The influencer’s body was found lifeless in a space rented for his lives. The Nice Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the opening of an investigation assigned to the research brigade. An autopsy is to be conducted to determine the exact causes of death. For now, there is no evidence suggesting outside intervention.
Jean Pormanove started streaming five years ago. Initially focused on video games, he gradually changed his content. His streams transformed into feats of endurance, deprivation, and violence. The week before his death, he was participating in a marathon called “ten days and nights of torture”, marked by extreme physical challenges and the ingestion of substances deemed toxic by some spectators.
Followed by over 670,000 subscribers on Twitch and 580,000 on TikTok, he was among the most well-known French streamers on these platforms. His broadcasts regularly attracted several tens of thousands of simultaneous viewers.
Controversies and accusations
Beyond the shock, the death of the forty-something rekindles the debate about the practices observed within his collective, nicknamed “Lelokal”. Raphaël Graven regularly appeared alongside other streamers known by the pseudonyms “Naruto” and “Safine.” All three had been mentioned in an investigation by Mediapart published in 2024.
The media highlighted the existence of videos showing live humiliations, involving Jean Pormanove and a disabled person. Following this publication, Naruto and Safine were taken into custody in January 2025 on suspicions of violence against vulnerable individuals. They denied the facts and were released.
In the days following their friend’s death, the two streamers expressed their feelings on social media. “From the moment I woke up until now, I haven’t stopped crying. I can’t believe it,” wrote Safine in an Instagram story. Naruto, in turn, paid tribute to “his brother”: “six years side by side, never letting go. I love you, my brother, and we will miss you terribly.”
But many internet users are pointing fingers at their responsibility. On social networks, several testimonials mention sleep deprivation, being forced to ingest toxic products, and being hit during challenges. The video of the death, widely shared before being removed, fuels these suspicions.
Political reactions and call for regulation
The death of Jean Pormanove sparked strong reactions in the political world. Sarah El Haïry, High Commissioner for Children, posted a message on X: “I learn of the death of the streamer #jeanpormanove. Horrifying. Platforms have an immense responsibility in regulating online content to ensure our children are not exposed to violent content.” She urged parents to be vigilant.
Clara Chappaz, Deputy Minister for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Affairs, also reacted. She condemned the humiliations suffered by the streamer and announced that she had referred the matter to Arcom. She also filed a report on the Pharos portal and contacted the leaders of Kick. “The responsibility of online platforms for the dissemination of illegal content is not an option: it is the law,” she stated.
The case highlights the difficulty authorities face in regulating streaming practices. In recent years, several content creators have sought to stand out through extreme formats, sometimes at the expense of their health.
An investigation to follow
At this stage, the precise circumstances of Raphaël Graven’s death are not established. The Nice Prosecutor’s Office states that the autopsy will determine whether the violence observed during the lives played a direct role. The hearings of the streamers present on the night of the tragedy must also continue.
On social media, the community is divided between tributes and accusations. Some recall the moments of entertainment provided by Jean Pormanove. Others believe he was a victim of a system that pushed him to expose himself more and more.
Jean Pormanove’s Kick channel has since been deactivated. The compromising videos have been removed, but their circulation on other platforms remains difficult to control.
The death of Raphaël Graven opens a series of questions. It raises concerns about the limits of performance in streaming, the responsibility of those close to him, and the platforms. The Nice Prosecutor’s Office is continuing its investigation.
