“Shohei Ohtani dead 2026” : Baseball player killed by internet death hoax

News of baseball player Shohei Ohtani’s death spread quickly earlier this week causing concern among fans across the world. However the March 2026 report has now been confirmed as a complete hoax and just the latest in a string of fake celebrity death reports. Thankfully, the 31-year-old baseball player is alive and well.

UPDATE 24/03/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Shohei Ohtani death hoax spreads on Facebook

Rumors of the baseball player’s alleged demise gained traction on Sunday after a ‘R.I.P. Shohei Ohtani’ Facebook page attracted nearly one million of ‘likes’. Those who read the ‘About’ page were given a believable account of the Japanese baseball player’s passing:

“At about 11 a.m. ET on Sunday (March 22, 2026), our beloved baseball player Shohei Ohtani passed away. Shohei Ohtani was born on July 5, 1994 in Oshu. 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 31-year-old baseball player 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 Japanese network, indicating that it was a fake report, as the death of a baseball player of Shohei Ohtani's stature would be major news across networks.

A recent poll conducted for the Celebrity Post shows that 56% still think false Shohei Ohtani death rumors are funny.

Shohei Ohtani Death Hoax Dismissed Since Baseball player Is ‘Alive And Well’

On Monday (March 23) the baseball player's reps officially confirmed that Shohei Ohtani 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 baseball player. Others say this shows his extreme popularity across the globe.

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