The French Counter-Strike scene is in shock following the tragic news that popular content creator and former pro player Malek "maleK" Bennouioua has died at the age of 35. Multiple prominent community members confirmed his passing on social media, though no official cause of death has been disclosed.
maleK began his competitive journey in CS:Source back in 2011, establishing himself as a recognizable name in France's sub-top Counter-Strike scene over the years. His playing career included stints with organizations like beGenius and Epsilon, where he competed alongside Audric "JACKZ" Jug, who would later join G2 Esports.
Following his retirement from professional play, maleK transitioned into full-time streaming and content creation, building an impressive following. His main YouTube channel attracted over 130,000 subscribers, while his Twitch presence grew to 155,000 followers, cementing his status as a beloved figure in French CS.
The tributes poured in from across the French Counter-Strike community. Dan "apEX" Madesclaire of Vitality simply wrote "Rest in peace, maleK." Richard "shox" Papillon shared an emotional message: "I have no words, I can't believe it. I had known him for 20 years, from memories of PxL to a restaurant we went to together just a year ago. He was a dad... I beg you, don't stay alone when things aren't okay. I wish I had known so I could have helped him."
Other prominent figures including Ryan "Neityu" Aubry, Sebastien "KRL" Perez, and Steeve "Ozstrik3r" Flavigni also paid their respects on social media.
