Where is Lil Tay now? Rapper, 14, confirms she is not dead, says her Instagram account was hacked to spread 'rumors'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In a dramatic turn of events, Lil Tay broke her silence over her death announcement on Wednesday, August, 9, as she confirmed a day later that she and her brother Jason Tian are alive.
The social media star told TMZ on Thursday, August 10 that the announcement was the result of her verified Instagram account being hacked.
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Where is Lil Tay now?
Talking about the death announcement that has left Tay "completely heartbroken", the online influencer said, "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. All day yesterday, I was bombarded with endless heartbreaking and tearful phone calls from loved ones all while trying to sort out this mess," she continued. However, it remains unclear where she and her brother are now.
"My Instagram account was compromised by a third 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.' ," she added.
Lil Tay's hacked Instagram announced an investigation into her death is ongoing
In the since-deleted post on Tay's Instagram account, a statement announcing her and her brother Tian's death which the rapper claims was posted by a third party.
"It is with a heavy heart that we share the devastating news of our beloved Claire’s sudden and tragic passing. We have no words to express the unbearable loss and indescribable pain," the statement began.
"Her bother’s passing adds an even more unimaginable depth to our grief. During this time of immense sorrow, we kindly ask for privacy as we grieve this overwhelming loss, as the circumstances surrounding Claire and her brother’s passing are still under investigation."
"Claire will forever remain in our hearts, her absence leaving an irreplaceable void that will be felt by all who knew and loved her," the statement concluded.
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Speculation about Tay and Tian's death arose after their father refused to confirm
Soon after the death announcement was made, there was speculation on the veracity of the news after Tay and Tian's father and former manager Christopher Hope refused to confirm the authenticity of the announcement.
"Yeah, you have the right person, but I don’t have any comment right now. I’m not able to give you any comments right now. I’m sorry — I can’t," Hope told the New York Post.
Tay, who rose to fame in 2018, had remained inactive on social media since the same year when she was in the middle of a custody battle between her mother Angela Tian, and her father Hope.
