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Digital Phablet – French streamer Jean Pormanove passes away during a live broadcast, prompting an investigation.
Police reports state that Raphaël Graven, also known as Jean Pormanove, was found deceased at his residence in Contes, a town located north of Nice.
Throughout his streams, the 46-year-old exhibited episodes of violence and was reported to have insufficient sleep. According to local media, he peacefully died in his sleep while live on air.
Clara Chappaz, a French government minister, confirmed that a criminal investigation is currently ongoing. She described Mr. Gravenove’s death and the violent circumstances he endured as an “absolutely horrifying” experience, mentioning that he had been subjected to humiliation for months.
Kick, a live-streaming platform similar to Twitch, allows users to broadcast content and engage with viewers in real time. A representative from Kick told the BBC that the company is “urgently investigating” the circumstances surrounding the streamer’s death.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Jean Pormanove and offer our condolences to his family, friends, and community,” they stated.
The platform’s community guidelines aim to “protect creators,” and Kick’s spokesperson emphasized the company’s commitment to maintaining these standards across the platform.
Chappaz, who oversees digital technologies and artificial intelligence, stated she has brought this matter to the attention of Arcom, France’s media regulator, as well as Pharos, a system used to report online content.
France’s High Commissioner for Children, Sarah El Haïry, described the incident as “horrifying.”
On social media, she stressed the importance of content moderation, stating, “There is an enormous responsibility on platforms to monitor online content so that our children are not exposed to violence. I urge parents to be vigilant,” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation into the death and has ordered an autopsy.
Mr. Pormanove had amassed over one million followers on all his social media channels, including a dedicated community on Kick.
He shared his thoughts and updates regularly, and many followers remembered him fondly. Owen Cenazandotti, also known as Naruto, referred to him as his “brother, sidekick, partner,” and requested that people respect his memory by refraining from sharing videos of his final moments online.
He expressed his grief on Instagram, asking fans to honor Jean Pormanove’s memory and to respect his dignity during this difficult time.