“Katarina Witt dead 2024” : Twice Olympic figure skating champion killed by internet death hoax
- By Jessica Simpson
- Berlin
- Last updated on
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News of athlete Katarina Witt’s death spread quickly earlier this week causing concern among fans across the world. However the December 2024 report has now been confirmed as a complete hoax and just the latest in a string of fake celebrity death reports. Thankfully, the Twice Olympic figure skating champion is alive and well.
UPDATE 24/12/2024 : This story seems to be false. (read more)
Katarina Witt death hoax spreads on Facebook
Rumors of the athlete’s alleged demise gained traction on Sunday after a ‘R.I.P. Katarina Witt’ Facebook page attracted nearly one million of ‘likes’. Those who read the ‘About’ page were given a believable account of the German athlete’s passing:
“At about 11 a.m. ET on Sunday (December 22, 2024), our beloved athlete Katarina Witt passed away. Katarina Witt was born on December 3, 1965 in Staaken. She 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 59-year-old athlete, model and actress 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 German network, indicating that it was a fake report, as the death of an athlete of Katarina Witt's stature would be major news across networks.
A recent poll conducted for the Celebrity Post shows that 64% still think false Katarina Witt death rumors are funny.
Katarina Witt Death Hoax Dismissed Since Athlete Is ‘Alive And Well’
On Monday (December 23) the athlete's reps officially confirmed that Katarina Witt is not dead. “She joins the long list of celebrities who have been victimized by this hoax. She'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 athlete. Others say this shows her extreme popularity across the globe.
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