Nicolas Cage is now dead according to many on Twitter. It all started from a phony story on the infamous website Global Associated News that stated the actor died in Europe after a snowboard accident. Global Associated News has repeatedly used the same or similar stories to kill off many celebrities. Death hoaxes are more common than ever, yet there are many gullible victims on the web who will fall for the false reports.
The story states, "Actor Nicholas Cage is reported to have died shortly after a snowboard accident earlier today - January 17, 2013."
Eddie Murphy has been victimized countless times in a snowboarding accident as well. Other celebs including Chris Brown, Morgan Freeman, Adam Sandler, Alfonso Ribeiro, Rihanna, and Jerry Springer among others have all been pranked.
Celebrity hoaxes have existed before the internet became popular. With the internet, the news can spread at light speed. Back in the late 1800s, Mark Twain was also a victim of a false death report.
These reports as not so easy to brush off. The victims' families are affected by the cruel joke. When reports surfaced that Jerry Springer had passed in an accident, he shared, “My wife couldn’t read it. It was just too difficult for her.”
When a death report comes out on the web, the most important thing to double check on reliable news sources.
The latest death hoax to sweep the web involves the Notre Dame football star Manti Te'o's girlfriend Lennay Kekua. Evidence also surfaced that the "girlfriend" does not exist. More investigation and real facts are needed in order to make a judgment.
Nicolas Cage's report container détails about the accident which made the story more believable for first time readers.
The report on Global Associated News reads, "Witnesses indicate that Nicholas Cage lost control of his snowboard and struck a tree at a high rate of speed. Nicholas Cage was air lifted by ski patrol teams to a local hospital, however, it is believed that the actor died instantly from the impact of the crash. The actor was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident and drugs and alcohol do not appear to have played any part in his death."
Immediately following the story, the website also states in small print that the story is "100% FAKE!"
Unfortunately not everyone reads that part and most people begin to hear about the story on social media websites including Twitter and Facebook. Without checking the actual article, they begin to mourn the death of the beloved Hollywood actor.
"Nicolas Cage...dead...snowboard accident? for real? NOOOOOOO WAY NOOOOOOOO TT_TT"
Nicolas Cage dead? Just heard that from my friend. #RIP
RIP Nicolas Cage :( The great american actor Nicolas Cage has died on thursday evening in a skeeing accident :( :( :(
RIP Nicolas Cage. Thanks for introducing us to Eleanor.”
Many others were not so fast to believe the story.
"Nicolas Cage isn't dead until @cnn reports it. Stop spreading rumors that might not be true."
Hahahaha! Okay, I'm seriously goggling because of the rumor thatNicolas Cage is already dead.
"No worries. Just heard. Nicolas Cage didn't die. He's just the victim of an Internet death hoax."
Nicolas cage is dead??? Is there any truth about this or is twitter making this up again???
Another thing to note is that the report on Global Associated News spelled Cage's name wrong. Maybe Nicholas Cage with an "h" has died, but the Hollywood star Nicolas Cage is alive and well.
