“Shane Smith dead 2024” : Vice founder killed by internet death hoax

  • By Jessica Simpson
  • Ottawa
  • Last updated on

Shane Smith is the latest celeb to fall victim to a death hoax
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News of journalist Shane Smith’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, Vice's founder is alive and well.

UPDATE 24/04/2024 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Shane Smith death hoax spreads on Facebook

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

“At about 11 a.m. ET on Monday (April 22, 2024), our beloved journalist Shane Smith passed away. Shane Smith was born on September 28, 1969 in Ottawa. 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 54-year-old journalist 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 Canadian network, indicating that it was a fake report, as the death of a journalist of Shane Smith's stature would be major news across networks.

A recent poll conducted for the Celebrity Post shows that a large majority (73%) of respondents think those Shane Smith death rumors are not funny anymore.

Shane Smith Death Hoax Dismissed Since Journalist Is ‘Alive And Well’

On Tuesday (April 23) the journalist's reps officially confirmed that Shane Smith 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 journalist. Others say this shows his extreme popularity across the globe.

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