An entertainer who gained popularity by broadcasting videos of self-abuse online has died during a live stream, prompting an investigation by the French prosecutor's office.
According to foreign media including AFP and Le Parisien on the 19th (local time), the Nice prosecutor's office reported that streamer Raphael Gravan, 46, was found dead the previous night in a rental in Contes near Nice.
The prosecutor's office is investigating the circumstances of his death, including performing an autopsy on his body.
Known online by the name JP Formanov, he was a celebrity with over 1 million followers, showcasing extreme challenges on platforms including Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and the Australian social media platform Kick.
Kick is known for its loose operating practices and for providing high revenue sharing to creators.
Before his death, JP reportedly rented a place in Contes for internet live streaming, which had been ongoing for ten days.
French media reported that JP participated in a video in which he was subjected to assault and humiliation alongside two other streamers, and that a man was seen throwing a water bottle at him while he lay on a mattress.
The Nice prosecutor's office has been investigating him for the past eight months in relation to 'deliberate acts of violence against vulnerable groups' that have been posted online.
France's Minister for AI and Digital Clara Chappaz said JP had been 'humiliated and abused for months', adding that 'a judicial investigation is underway.'
In response, the Kick platform, where JP primarily operated, expressed condolences over his death and stated that it is conducting an urgent review of broadcasting-related circumstances.