Lil Tay dead: Hoax Instagram post claimed rapper and social media had died - statement explained

Social media sensation and rapper Lil Tay is actually alive, despite an Instagram post claiming she had died at the age of 15 being uploaded to her official account on Wednesday.

A statement, which was believed at the time to have been written by the musician's family, read: "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.

"This outcome was entirely unexpected, and has left us all in shock. Her brother'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."

But, it's now emerged that Lil Tay and her brother are both alive and well, as the rapper herself has reportedly spoken to an American news outlet.

In a statement provided to American news outlet TMZ from Tay's family, the 15-year-old 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 traumatising 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."

In the statement, Lil Tay also said that the hoax post named her as Claire Hope, but said this is not her real name at all and also explained that her account had been hacked. She said: "My Instagram account was compromised by a 3rd party and used to spread jarring misinformation and rumours regarding me, to the point that even my name was wrong. My legal name is Tay Tian, not "Claire Hope.” The hoax post, which appeared on Lil Tay’s official Instagram account on Wednesday (9 August) has now been removed.

Tay also thanked Meta, who owns the social media site, for helping to get her Instagram account back.

Fans are sure to be very pleased that the star is okay, but it seems their belief that she may not be well is somewhat justified. Lil Tay's wellbeing has also been put in question recently after she posted a cryptic message on Instagram in April which read: "We have bad news about Tay...". It came after allegations of an abusive relationship with her father, Christopher Hope, were raised.

Posts to Tay's social media, which were believed to have been controlled by her older brother Jason, claimed she suffered abuse in 2014 whilst living with Hope before he moved to Canada with a new partner.

This led to a GoFundMe being set up to support Tay's ongoing court battles.