“Philippe Geluck dead 2024” : ‘Le Chat’ author killed by internet death hoax

  • By Jessica Simpson
  • Brussels
  • Last updated on

Philippe Geluck is the latest celeb to fall victim to a death hoax

News of cartoonist Philippe Geluck’s death spread quickly earlier this week causing concern among fans across the world. However the April 2024 report has now been confirmed as a complete hoax and just the latest in a string of fake celebrity death reports. Thankfully, the author of Le Chat is alive and well.

UPDATE 17/04/2024 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Philippe Geluck death hoax spreads on Facebook

Rumors of the cartoonist’s alleged demise gained traction on Monday after a ‘R.I.P. Philippe Geluck’ Facebook page attracted nearly one million of ‘likes’. Those who read the ‘About’ page were given a believable account of the Belgian cartoonist’s passing:

“At about 11 a.m. ET on Monday (April 15, 2024), our beloved cartoonist Philippe Geluck passed away. Philippe Geluck was born on May 7, 1954 in Brussels. He will be missed but not forgotten. Please show your sympathy and condolences by commenting on and liking this page.”

Hundreds of fans immediately started writing their messages of condolence on the Facebook page, expressing their sadness that the talented 69-year-old cartoonist was dead. And as usual, Twittersphere was frenzied over the death hoax.

Where as some trusting fans believed the post, others were immediately skeptical of the report, perhaps learning their lesson from the huge amount of fake death reports emerging about celebrities over recent months. Some pointed out that the news had not been carried on any major Belgian network, indicating that it was a fake report, as the death of a cartoonist of Philippe Geluck's stature would be major news across networks.

A recent poll conducted for the Celebrity Post shows that a large majority (87%) of respondents think those Philippe Geluck death rumors are not funny anymore.

Philippe Geluck Death Hoax Dismissed Since Cartoonist Is ‘Alive And Well’

On Tuesday (April 16) the cartoonist's reps officially confirmed that Philippe Geluck is not dead. “He joins the long list of celebrities who have been victimized by this hoax. He's still alive and well, stop believing what you see on the Internet,” they said.

Some fans have expressed anger at the fake report saying it was reckless, distressing and hurtful to fans of the much loved cartoonist. Others say this shows his extreme popularity across the globe.

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