Lil Tay, a social media sensation known for her brash persona and extravagant lifestyle, has emerged from a 24-hour whirlwind of confusion and distress.
Reports of her unexpected death quickly spread over the internet, leaving fans and followers stunned.
Tay's Instagram account, however, appears to have been maliciously accessed by a third party, resulting in the spread of "jarring misinformation" about her and her brother's alleged deaths.
Lil Tay Breaks Her Silence
In an exclusive statement provided to TMZ by Tay's family, she expressed her deep dismay and confusion over the recent ordeal.
"I want to make it clear that my brother and I are safe and alive, but I'm completely heartbroken, and struggling to even find the right words to say. It's been a very traumatizing 24 hours," Tay revealed.
Despite being aware of her hacked account, the 15-year-old influencer found herself inundated with messages of condolences and tearful phone calls from family and friends
Lil Tay's Instagram Account Compromised
"My Instagram account was compromised by a 3rd party and used to spread jarring misinformation and rumors regarding me, to the point that even my name was wrong. My legal name is Tay Tian, not 'Claire Hope,'" the statement clarified.
Tay expressed her gratitude to Meta for helping regain control of her Instagram account, and the falsified death announcement has since been expunged.
Contacting Authorities
The timeline of events raises intriguing questions. What led to a full day's delay before Tay could quash the swirling rumors? The influencer admits she was made aware of the hacking, even field receiving calls regarding her own supposed death. Yet, her true state of being was veiled from the public gaze during this time.
Upon delving into the matter, TMZ's inquiry unearthed an astonishing revelation. Law enforcement agencies in Vancouver and Tay's family members had remained completely unaware of any active investigations into Tay's alleged demise.
Furthermore, law enforcement organizations in Los Angeles where Lil Tay is known to have lived, told Insider that there were no open death investigations concerning the online personality.
Who Is Lil Tay?
Lil Tay initially rose to prominence as the "World's Youngest Flexer," flaunting flashy displays of wealth and a persona that both fascinated and polarized audiences.
Her Instagram account, which boasted 3.2 million followers, had been inactive since 2018. The young star had faced tumultuous times, caught in the midst of a bitter custody battle between her parents, Angela Tian and Christopher Hope.
Insider reported in 2019 that the influencer's account was used to make false accusations against her father during a custody battle.
The situation underscores the vulnerability of popular people in the age of the internet, as well as the rapid spread of misinformation on social media platforms.
The false death announcement not only stunned her supporters but also prompted concerns about how easily personal accounts may be stolen in order to propagate false information.
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