Investigation Launched Following Streaming Death
Prosecutors in southern France are probing the death of a 46-year-old man who passed away during a livestream where he was subjected to mistreatment. Known online as “Jean Pormanove” or “JP,” Raphael Graven had gained popularity by hosting live shows that featured abusive and humiliating content.
Details of the Livestream Incident
The incident occurred in the village of Contes, near Nice, on Monday. Viewers reported seeing Graven lying motionless beneath a bed cover while one of two men in the room threw a plastic water bottle towards him. The disturbing video was broadcast live on the Australian platform Kick and subsequently circulated widely on social media.
Government Response and Regulatory Action
French government minister Clara Chappaz expressed her outrage, describing the situation as an “absolute horror.” In a post on X, she stated, “Jean Pormanove was humiliated and mistreated for months live on the Kick platform,” adding that she has alerted French media regulators about the incident. Chappaz emphasized that online platforms have a legal responsibility to prevent the circulation of illicit content, asserting, “This type of failure can lead to the worst and has no place in France, Europe, or anywhere else.”
Ongoing Investigations and Safety Concerns
The Nice prosecutors’ office has initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Graven’s death and has ordered an autopsy. Local police have been investigating alleged “deliberate violent acts” against vulnerable individuals featured in videos online since December, following reports from the French news outlet Mediapart. This investigation was triggered by the discovery of numerous videos drawing thousands of viewers, especially on Kick.
When questioned about the ongoing investigation, a representative from Kick refrained from providing details, citing the platform’s confidentiality policy. Kick is known for its more lenient user policies compared to rival platforms like Twitch.
Background on the Victim
Graven began his social media career around five years ago and amassed approximately 500,000 followers across platforms like TikTok and Twitch, according to Le Parisien. He was noted for his gaming content as well as for his participation in extreme challenges with other streamers.
Wider Context of Online Violence
The tragic incident adds to a growing concern regarding violence during livestreams. In June, the Venezuelan prosecutor’s office launched an investigation into the livestreamed murder of a well-known TikTok user. Just a month prior, authorities in Jalisco, Mexico, opened a femicide investigation after the shocking murder of 23-year-old influencer Valeria Márquez during a livestream.
