Lil Tay’s death hoax deemed a hack as Meta restores star’s accounts

nypost.com:

according to TMZ, and has since restored Tay’s access.The Post reached out to Meta for confirmation.On Wednesday, news that the teen — aka Tay Tian or Claire Hope — had passed away shocked the online community after a text image announcing the influencer’s death was posted on her Instagram. “It is with a heavy heart that we share the devastating news of our beloved Claire’s sudden and tragic passing,” read the now-deleted statement, which went on to characterize her death as “unexpected.”The Instagram post alleged that Tay’s brother had died, too. “During this time of immense sorrow, we kindly ask for privacy as we grieve this overwhelming loss, as the circumstances surrounding Claire and her brother’s passing are still under investigation.”“Claire will forever remain in our hearts, her absence leaving an irreplaceable void that will be felt by all who knew and loved her,” concluded the post.

In the days following the debunked death announcement, several people, including Tay’s own father, failed to confirm the social media star’s death, declining to elaborate on the circumstances to multiple outlets, including The Post.A day after the statement was published, Tay reappeared on social media — after a five-year hiatus — to say that she and her brother were very much alive. “I want to make it clear that my brother and I are safe and alive, but I’m completely heartbroken, and struggling to even find the right words to say.