“Svante Pääbo dead 2026” : Nobel medicine prize 2022 killed by internet death hoax

News of scientist Svante Pääbo’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, Nobel medicine prize 2022 is alive and well.

UPDATE 22/03/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Svante Pääbo death hoax spreads on Facebook

Rumors of the scientist’s alleged demise gained traction on Friday after a ‘R.I.P. Svante Pääbo’ Facebook page attracted nearly one million of ‘likes’. Those who read the ‘About’ page were given a believable account of the Swedish scientist’s passing:

“At about 11 a.m. ET on Friday (March 20, 2026), our beloved scientist Svante Pääbo passed away. Svante Pääbo was born on April 20, 1955 in Stockholm. 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 70-year-old scientist and Nobel laureate 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 Swedish network, indicating that it was a fake report, as the death of a scientist of Svante Pääbo's stature would be major news across networks.

A recent poll conducted for the Celebrity Post shows that 53% still think false Svante Pääbo death rumors are funny.

Svante Pääbo Death Hoax Dismissed Since Scientist Is ‘Alive And Well’

On Saturday (March 21) the scientist's reps officially confirmed that Svante Pääbo 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 scientist. Others say this shows his extreme popularity across the globe.

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