French prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into the death of streamer Jean Pormanove after footage emerged showing months of alleged abuse broadcast live on Kick. The inquiry will examine potential charges including abuse of a vulnerable person, organized assault, and failure to assist someone in danger.
Pormanove died recently following what investigators describe as a pattern of filmed mistreatment by associates Naruto and Safine during livestreams. Clips circulating online appear to show the streamer being subjected to physical assaults, including apparent strangulation attempts and being shot with paintballs. Other footage allegedly depicts sleep deprivation tactics and various degrading acts performed for viewer entertainment.
The investigation raises serious questions about Pormanove’s ability to consent to his participation. French-language reports suggest he had cognitive impairments and relied on his associates for housing, finances, and access to his streaming channel. His dependency on those around him has become a central focus for investigators examining potential coercion.
The financial dynamics of the streams are under scrutiny. Broadcasts allegedly monetized abusive acts through donations and viewer challenges that escalated mistreatment. Viewers would reportedly pay to see specific acts performed against Pormanove, creating a direct financial incentive for increasingly harmful content.
This wasn’t the first time French authorities encountered the group. Reports indicate police detained and questioned individuals connected to the channel earlier this year, though they were released without charges. The prior intervention adds another layer to the investigation as prosecutors examine why earlier warnings didn’t prevent the tragedy.
Under French law, prosecutors can pursue multiple charges. Non-assistance à personne en danger (failure to assist a person in danger) carries serious penalties when someone doesn’t help a person at risk. Abus de faiblesse (abuse of weakness) applies when someone exploits a vulnerable person’s condition. Depending on medical findings, charges could extend to involuntary manslaughter.
Kick’s role faces examination too. The platform, launched in 2022 as a less-moderated alternative to Twitch, operates under EU Digital Services Act requirements. These regulations mandate platforms respond to illegal content reports and implement risk-mitigation measures. French social media accounts for Kick allegedly promoted the channel, suggesting platform awareness of the content.
Investigators are now piecing together a timeline from archived streams and witness testimony. They’re examining whether specific on-stream acts directly contributed to Pormanove’s death and who bears criminal responsibility. The inquiry extends beyond those physically present during broadcasts to potentially include organizers and those who profited from the content.
The case highlights growing concerns about exploitation in livestreaming. As platforms compete for viewers with increasingly extreme content, questions about creator welfare and platform responsibility become more urgent. French authorities’ investigation could set precedents for how European regulators approach similar cases.
Multiple individuals connected to the streams may face formal charges as the investigation progresses. Prosecutors haven’t released names of suspects, but mise en examen (formal investigation) proceedings typically follow once authorities gather sufficient evidence. The medical examiner’s findings on cause of death will likely determine the severity of potential charges.
