Investigation Underway Following Disturbing Death of French Streamer

French authorities have initiated an investigation into the death of 46-year-old streamer Raphaël Graven, whose extreme content led to bouts of violence and sleep deprivation. The incident has sparked discussions around the responsibilities of streaming platforms in regulating violent content.

An investigation has been launched following the shocking death of French streamer Raphaël Graven, widely known as Jeanpormanove, who was found dead in his home in Contes, located north of Nice. The 46-year-old streamer, noted for his extreme challenge formats, reportedly died during a live broadcast. Reports indicate that Graven had suffered bouts of violence and sleep deprivation while streaming, raising serious concerns over the nature of his content and its impact on his well-being.

French government minister Clara Chappaz provided statements in response to the incident, labeling Graven's death as "an absolute horror." She referenced reports of the violence he endured during his streaming sessions, emphasizing that he had faced months of public humiliation. The minister confirmed that the case had been referred to Arcom, the French media regulator, as well as Pharos, which is a system created for reporting problematic online content.

Streaming platform Kick, akin to the popular Twitch service, announced that they are conducting an urgent review of the circumstances leading to Jeanpormanove's untimely death. A company spokesperson expressed condolences to Graven's friends and family, emphasizing that the platform's community guidelines are designed to safeguard creators and assert their commitment to upholding these standards.

Additionally, Sarah El Haïry, France's High Commissioner for Children, called attention to the responsibilities of streaming platforms in monitoring violent content to protect young audiences. In her remarks on social media, she urged parents to remain vigilant about the content their children are accessing online.

The prosecutor's office has confirmed the opening of an investigation into the cause of Graven's death and has ordered an autopsy. Known for his significant following of over one million across various social media platforms, Jeanpormanove cultivated a dedicated community on Kick.

His co-creator, known as Naruto, paid tribute to Graven on Instagram, mourning the loss of his "brother, sidekick, partner," and requesting respect for his memory by asking others not to share any footage depicting him in distress. Fellow streamer Owen Cenazandotti expressed similar sentiments on social media, urging followers to refrain from disseminating videos capturing Graven's final moments.

As discussions on the interplay between online content regulation and creator safety intensify, this incident raises critical questions about the responsibilities of digital platforms toward their users and the implications of extreme content in the streaming industry.