Rumors have gone viral of Lil Tay, the controversial influencer and child rapper being alive after a statement announcing her death was posted on her Instagram on Wednesday.

“It is with a heavy heart that we share the devastating news of our beloved Claire’s sudden and tragic passing,” read a statement shared on Tay’s Instagram account on August 9. “We have no words to express the unbearable loss and indescribable pain. This outcome was entirely unexpected, and has left us all in shock. Her brother’s passing adds an even more unimaginable depth to our grief.”

The spokesperson who had posted the statement, asked for “privacy” during this time of grief. Both Tay and her brother, Jason Tian’s deaths “are still under investigation,” according to the post.

Also Read | Lil Tay’s posts about her father Christopher J’s alleged abuse resurface after child rapper’s sudden death

The influencer, whose real name was Claire Hope, rose to fame in 2018. She first went viral back in 2017. Her back-and-forth conversation with YouTube personality RiceGum that year made headlines. Later, Tay’s online saga grew to also include Bhad Bhabie and Woah Vicky.

Is Lil Tay alive?

Following the announcement of her death, Lil Tay’s father, Christopher J Hope was unable to confirm her death. As a result, many fans began speculating that the child rapper might still be alive.

Following the announcement of her death, Insider reached out to Lil Tay’s father for comment. He said that could not comment on the statement about her death and also declined to reveal whether or not his daughter is still alive. Furthermore, even though the statement regarding her death said that her and her brother’s death was under investigation, the publication confirmed that law enforcement had not received reports revolving a Claire Hope yet.

Also Read | Lil Tay’s cryptic YouTube bio saying ‘help me’ goes viral after child rapper’s death

Even her ex-manager could not confirm the statement about her death as well. The social media star’s former manager Harry Tsang, told Insider that the situation calls for “cautious consideration.”

“Given the complexities of the current circumstances, I am at a point where I cannot definitively confirm or dismiss the legitimacy of the statement issued by the family,” he said in his response. He also claimed that he got a “very weird” response upon contacting the influencer’s father and the family handler.

All of this had led fans to believe that there could be a chance that the statement on her Instagram account is a hoax and that the influencer is actually alive.