LIL Tay's father has refused to confirm whether the 14-year-old social media rapper has died amid mounting speculation regarding her alleged sudden death.
Tay, real name Claire Hope Eileen Qi, was reported to have died unexpectedly in a statement published on her official Instagram page on Wednesday.
The statement, which was unattributed, stated Tay and her brother had both died suddenly though provided no information about when and how, stating only that the matter was under investigation.
Two former managers of Tay's told The U.S. Sun they were suspicious of the statement and have been unable to verify its legitimacy.
When reached by phone on Wednesday evening, Tay's father, Christopher Hope, refused to provide any clarity on the situation.
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The U.S. Sun asked Hope whether or not his daughter and son had died, to which he casually responded: "I'm not going to comment on that right now."
Hope said he was aware of the mounting speculation about Tay's death but said he was unwilling to share any further information.
He also refused to confirm whether Tay was living with him at the time of her supposed death, who authored the statement announcing her death, and whether police had been notified.
"I'm not going to issue any comment," he said. "I'm not going to answer that at the moment."
Tay was recently believed to be living with her father in Vancouver.
Local police say they've received no reports about her supposed death and are currently not investigating the matter.
Officials in L.A., where Tay once lived with her mother and brother, say they also have no record of her or her sibling's deaths.
SUSPICIOUS STATEMENT
The strangely-worded statement announcing Tay's apparent passing was shared with her three million Instagram followers late Wednesday morning.
"It is with a heavy heart that we share the devastating news of our beloved Claire’s sudden and tragic passing," began the statement.
"We have no words to express the unbearable loss and indescribable pain.
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"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 statement offered no information as to where and when Tay and her brother reportedly passed away, only sharing that the circumstances surrounding their deaths are "still under investigation."
One of Tay's former managers, who asked to remain anonymous, told The U.S. Sun they were shocked and concerned to learn of the "talented" girl's apparent passing.
However, certain details in the statement appeared suspicious to them as to its legitimacy, the ex-manager said.
"One thing I would question is who posted that statement and why isn't it signed by anyone from the family," said the anonymous insider, who hasn't been in contact with Tay for a few years.
"Why is it not signed, 'This is Tay's mom', or 'This is the dad of Lil Tay', or from an official representative? Why is there no attachment?
"To me, that is a very telltale sign. It doesn't make sense. Even when you have passings, there's a group of people that come together to make the statement, usually the family, and we don't see that here.
"I send my condolences and I'm shocked by the news. But I'm curious as to who the statement has been released by and [why it hasn't been signed by anyone.]
"I should be grieving right now [...] but I just have so many questions."
Harry Tsang, another former rep for Tay, told The U.S. Sun he has been unable to confirm the legitimacy of the statement.
"I have been in communication with individuals who have an intimate understanding of the family's situation," Tsang wrote in an emailed statement.
"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.
"This situation calls for cautious consideration and respect for the sensitivities involved. My commitment remains focused on delivering updates that are both reliable and appropriately timed.
"In times like these, it is imperative that we prioritize accuracy and empathy.
"I encourage everyone to rely on reputable and official sources for information. We must exercise patience while awaiting further developments before drawing any conclusions."
PAST CONTROVERSY
Lil Tay hadn't posted on her Instagram account since June 2018, prior to Wednesday's shock announcement.
Variety reported they had "confirmed" her death with her management but the representative was not named.
The teen rose to viral fame in 2017 when she was just nine years old, becoming known for expletive-filed Instagram videos depicting her waiving wads of cash and claiming to lead a lavish hip-hop lifestyle.
The self-proclaimed "youngest flexer of the century" was associated with a number of prominent rappers, including the late XXXTentacion and Chief Keef.
She suddenly vanished from the internet five years ago amid a custody battle between her parents, while suspicious allegations appeared online about her family situation and safety.
In June 2018, Lil Tay’s Instagram feed was wiped and the words “help me” were posted to her story, sparking concerns of a potential kidnapping.
Then, a few months later, a series of posts accusing her father, Christopher Hope, of abuse, were posted to the page in an apparent hack.
Tsang, who was managing Tay at the time, told The Daily Beast those allegations were fabricated.
In a phone interview with the outlet, Tay, speaking alongside her mom, said, “Right now I’m in a bad situation and I don’t want to talk about these things,” adding that Hope had “filed something to the court and the court ordered us to go back here, and he said that I was in danger and stuff.”
"He was threatening to arrest — to have my mom arrested if we didn’t go back," she added. "I didn’t see him for multiple years. He never saw me for so long, it’s obvious he just came back because he wants money.”
Tay’s success has largely been credited to her older brother, Jason Tian.
Jason Tian was accused in 2019 of exploiting his sister by forcing her to perform in the videos and coaching her on what to say.
It is unclear if Jason is the brother the statement claims also died.
FAN QUESTIONS MOUNT
Fans of Tay, like her former management, have also raised questions and concerns regarding her death across social media.
On Tay's Instagram account, which has more than 3 million followers, one person wrote: "So weird how she's been off social media for years, and all of a sudden they post that she passed."
A second wrote: "I'm not trying to be insensitive but, no posts for 5 years and now her AND her brother are gone? This doesn't feel right."
A third person called the wording of the statement "worrisome."
"Words like this 'outcome' and her brother's deaths adds even more unimaginable depth to our grief are worrisome, because what outcome was expected?" the user asked.
"And why are their deaths being reported like it wasn't at the same time.. may god have a place for them but damn, this isn't the exact words I'd consider using considering you didn't even say how they 'passed'[.]
"She was 14. Kids that age don't just pass away."
Other family members for Tay have not responded to requests for comment from The U.S. Sun.
