The French online community is reeling after the shocking death of Raphaël Graven, better known to his legion of fans as Jean Pormanove. The 46-year-old streamer, famed for his extreme IRL (in-real-life) broadcasts and marathon livestreams, was found dead on August 18, 2025, at his home in Contes, a village in the Alpes-Maritimes region north of Nice. His passing, which occurred during a 10-day, non-stop streaming challenge on the Kick platform, has sent shockwaves through France’s digital landscape and ignited a national debate about the dangers of extreme online content and the responsibilities of streaming platforms.
Graven’s career was built on pushing the boundaries of endurance and entertainment. With over one million followers across Kick, Twitch, TikTok, and other social media, he was a pioneer in France’s IRL streaming scene. But behind the fame lay a disturbing pattern: since 2023, Graven’s content had grown increasingly intense, featuring sleep deprivation, physical abuse, and humiliation—often at the hands of his co-creators, Owen Cenazandotti (known as Naruto) and Safine Hamadi. According to BBC, clips from his streams showed Graven being choked, forced to ingest dangerous substances, and shot with a paintball gun, among other acts now circulating widely on social media.
The fatal 10-day challenge, described by many as “ten days and nights of torture,” reportedly involved relentless dares, toxic substances, and a constant barrage of abuse. Police were alerted after multiple internet users noticed his Kick livestream had abruptly ended. Officers rushed to his apartment in Contes, where they found Graven dead in his bed, still on camera, beside sleeping associates. Shockingly, his body lay undiscovered for over 50 minutes while the live chat continued and viewers poured in, as reported by LADbible and The Sun.
French prosecutors quickly launched a judicial investigation and ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. Clara Chappaz, France’s Minister Delegate for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies, called the case an “absolute horror” and underscored the humiliation Graven endured over months. She referred the matter to Arcom, the French media regulator, and Pharos, France’s online content reporting system. Sarah El Haïry, France’s High Commissioner for Children, described the death as “horrifying” and urged parents to be vigilant about violent online content, echoing widespread calls for better protection of young viewers.
The tragedy has also thrust streaming platforms, particularly Kick, into the spotlight. In a statement to BBC, a Kick spokesperson said, “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Jean Pormanove and extend our condolences to his family, friends and community.” The company added that it is “urgently reviewing” the circumstances around Graven’s death and reaffirmed its commitment to community guidelines “designed to protect creators.” Yet, critics argue that these measures were insufficient, given the graphic nature of Graven’s streams and the platform’s apparent failure to intervene despite mounting red flags.
For many familiar with Graven’s content, the outcome—while tragic—did not come as a complete surprise. According to BBC and LADbible, channel regulars, including Owen Cenazandotti and Safine Hamadi, often implied that Graven willingly subjected himself to the abuse. However, this narrative has been met with skepticism and anger online, with many suggesting Graven was a vulnerable individual exploited and perhaps even coerced into remaining the channel’s target. The channel was reportedly earning around £2,000 per day, buoyed by an average viewership of 10,000 and a flood of audience donations, further fueling concerns about the toxic incentives at play.
As news of Graven’s death spread, tributes poured in from fans and fellow creators. Owen Cenazandotti (Naruto) broke the news on Instagram, calling Graven his “brother, sidekick, partner,” and pleaded with the public not to share distressing footage from his final hours. “I’ve always dreaded the day I’d have to write these words,” Naruto wrote. “Sadly, last night, JP (Raphael Graven) left us. My brother, my sidekick, my partner, six years side-by-side, never letting go. I love you, my brother, and we will miss you terribly.” Safine Hamadi, another close collaborator, also shared a heartfelt tribute, reflecting on their six years together and the memories they shared.
High-profile figures from the streaming world have also responded. Adin Ross, a popular streamer, announced via X that he and music superstar Drake—who is an ambassador for Kick—would cover Graven’s funeral costs. “This is horrible and disgusting. Whoever was apart of this deserves to face severe consequences,” Ross wrote. “I just spoke with Drake. Drake and I will be covering the funeral costs, this won’t bring his life back, it’s the least we can do. Prayers go out to Jean’s family.” The gesture was widely praised within the streaming community, though it also underscored the gravity of the situation and the need for systemic change.
The controversy surrounding Graven’s death has reignited longstanding debates about the ethics and safety of extreme streaming culture. As noted by BBC and LADbible, Reddit threads and X discussions have been flooded with criticism of “toxic grind culture” and the relentless pressure on content creators to push boundaries for views and donations. Many argue that platforms like Kick must do more to moderate content and protect vulnerable creators from exploitation and harm.
Meanwhile, the investigation continues. Naruto’s lawyer, Yassin Sadouni, told Le Monde, “We are awaiting the results of the investigation aimed at determining all the conditions of 'JP's' death and identifying the responsibilities of each person.” Notably, both Naruto and Safine were previously taken into custody in January 2025 on suspicion of violence against vulnerable people, highlighting that concerns about Graven’s treatment predated his death.
For Graven’s family, friends, and fans, the loss is deeply personal and painful. The streamer’s family is said to be struggling with the trauma, as the online community continues to process the tragedy. As disturbing clips from his final streams continue to circulate, many are pleading for respect for his memory and for platforms to take decisive action to prevent future tragedies.
As France grapples with the aftermath, one thing is clear: Jean Pormanove’s death has become a catalyst for urgent conversations about creator safety, platform accountability, and the true cost of online fame in the age of extreme streaming.
