Valentino Rossi Dead? Motorcycle Racer Becomes Victim of Internet Death Hoax

Valentino Rossi is dead. At least that's what the Internet is saying. However the professional motorcycle racer didn't die. He's just the victim of a social media death hoax. Valentino Rossi is just fine.

A story by Global Associated News appeared this week saying that Rossi died in a car crash has a story that says, "Valentino Rossi died in a single vehicle crash on Route 80 between Morristown and Roswell. He was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics responding to the vehicle accident and was identified by photo ID found on his body. Alcohol and drugs do not appear to have been a factor in this accident - January 17, 2013"

There are many details to the story which makes it easier to believe, but the story is fake. Global Associated News creates fake death reports.

A message in fine print at the bottom of the site reads, "FAKE... THIS STORY IS 100% FAKE! this is an entertainment website, and this is a totally fake article based on zero truth and is a complete work of fiction for entertainment purposes! this story was dynamically generated using a generic 'template' and is not factual. Any reference to specific individuals has been 100% fabricated by web site visitors who have created fake stories by entering a name into a blank 'non-specific' template for the purpose of entertainment."

Rossi is alive and well. However some fans on Twitter got word of the rumor and started to mourn and question Rossi's death. Some examples of tweets include:

"Really valentino rossi died in car crash??"

"Is it true? Valentino Rossi is dead? :/"

"RIP Valentino Rossi.. :'("

"R.I.PValentino Rossi #46"

Rossi is just one of many celebrities to be killed off by the Internet. Since Global Associated News reports come from a generator, several celebrities have died in the same exact car crash. Only the names are different. Some other celebrities to die in this car crash hoax include singer Don Omar, singer Jesse McCartney, singer Bruno Mars, South African politician Julius Malema and many more.