French online star found dead after '10 days of torture and sleep depravation'
A social media star known for his wild online antics died tragically following a livestream and '10 days of torture, sleep deprivation and ingestion of toxic products'.
Raphael Graven, who was also known as Jean Pormanove, was found dead by police on Monday. The Frenchman died on Sunday night at his home in Contes, Alpes-Maritimes, France.
An investigation into his death is now underway, according to the Nice prosecutor's office. An autopsy is due to be performed on the streamer' s body. Clara Chappaz, France's Minister Delegate for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digital Affairs, said Pormanove was 'humiliated and mistreated for months live on the Kick platform'. She said a judicial investigation is underway.
Ms Chappaz added: 'The responsibility of online platforms for the dissemination of illegal content is not an option: it is the law. This type of failure can lead to the worst and has no place in France, in Europe, or elsewhere.'
According to a translation, Kick told AFP that it was "deeply saddened by the loss of Jean Pormanove". It added: "We are urgently reviewing the circumstances and collaborating with the relevant stakeholders... Kick's community rules are intended to protect creators, and we are committed to enforcing them across our platform."
Pormanove was known for subjecting himself to extreme challenges and had more than 500,000 social media followers. BFMTV reported several internet users noticed a sudden end to the livestream on Kick.
He reportedly endured '10 days and nights of torture' which included sleep deprivation, extreme physical violence and the 'ingestion of toxic products'.
Another streamer who was present was seen cutting the stream after trying to wake up Pormanove.
Pormanove caused controversy with his live antics with fellow content creators Naruto and Safine in particular. He was seen in clips having food pushed into his mouth while he was restrained, being tackled in a room that appeared to be a basement and having objects thrown at him.
Naruto and Safine were taken into custody in January this year on suspicion of violence against vulnerable people. Reports say Pormanove and another disabled influencer had been humiliated live. This was denied by both streamers.
In a tribute to Pormanove, Naruto said on Instagram he had always 'dreaded the day I'd have to write these words'. They said: '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.
'I ask you all to respect his memory and not share the video of his last breath in his sleep. For his family and for us, his second family. Rest in peace, my brother, Owen.'
Naruto's lawyer told AFP on Tuesday his client bore "no responsibility" for Pormanove's death.
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