“Wang Yaping dead 2026” : Astronaut killed by internet death hoax

News of astronaut Wang Yaping’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 46-year-old astronaut is alive and well.

UPDATE 23/03/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Wang Yaping death hoax spreads on Facebook

Rumors of the astronaut’s alleged demise gained traction on Saturday after a ‘R.I.P. Wang Yaping’ Facebook page attracted nearly one million of ‘likes’. Those who read the ‘About’ page were given a believable account of the Chinese astronaut’s passing:

“At about 11 a.m. ET on Saturday (March 21, 2026), our beloved astronaut Wang Yaping passed away. Wang Yaping was born on January 27, 1980 in Yantai. 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 46-year-old astronaut 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 Chinese network, indicating that it was a fake report, as the death of an astronaut of Wang Yaping's stature would be major news across networks.

A recent poll conducted for the Celebrity Post shows that a large majority (63%) of respondents think those Wang Yaping death rumors are not funny anymore.

Wang Yaping Death Hoax Dismissed Since Astronaut Is ‘Alive And Well’

On Sunday (March 22) the astronaut's reps officially confirmed that Wang Yaping 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 astronaut. Others say this shows her extreme popularity across the globe.

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