R Kelly is dead. At least that's what the Internet is saying. However the R&B singer didn't die. He's just the victim of an Internet death hoax.
A report appeared this week saying that R Kelly died in a jet ski crash. Many came across a report from Global Associated News which reads:
"Musician R Kelly died while on a personal vacation in Turks and Caicos early this morning from injuries sustained in a Jet-Ski accident - May 5, 2013
Preliminary reports from Turks and Caicos Police officials indicate that the musician struck a concrete boat slip in a marina on Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos Islands. R Kelly was the only passenger on the personal watercraft at the time of the incident. Specific details are not yet available.
The accident occurred at approximately 8:45 a.m. (UTC/GMT -4 hours)."
Since there are so many details to the accident it is easy to believe that it's true, but rest easy R Kelly fans, it isn't. Global Associated News creates fake death reports. A message at the bottom of the page 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."
Some started spreading the rumor earlier in the week, but that may have been due to some confusion. Earlier this week, Chris Kelly of the rap duo Kriss Kross died. Some may have misheard the information causing them to confuse Chris Kelly with R Kelly.
Even though the rumor is false, fans took to Twitter to mourn and question the loss. Some examples of tweets include:
"Is R. Kelly dead?"
"Is R.kelly really dead guys?"
"R Kelly died today."
"R Kelly died ? OMG"
R Kelly isn't the only celebrity to become the victim of a death hoax.
Some other celebrities who became victims of a death hoax in recent months include rapper, Eminem, singer, Enrique Iglesias, "The Big Bang Theory actory Jim Parsons, actress Megan Fox, wrestler John Cena, singer Bruno Mars, actor Vin Diesel, musician Skrillex, Rapper Lil Wayne, Actor Vince Vaughn, Tom Kenny, the voice behind SpongeBob Squarepants, country singer Taylor Swift, legendary actor Morgan Freeman, Comedian Bill Cosby, Alfonso Ribeiro aka Carlton from the Fresh Prince, and Bill Nye the Science Guy. All of these celebrities are just fine.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader