Police 'haven't opened an investigation' into Lil Tay's death despite family claims

UPDATE 08/10/23: TMZ has shared a statement attributed to Lil Tay saying she is 'safe and alive' and her Instagram account was used to spread 'jarring misinformation'.

The statement reads: "It’s been a very traumatising 24 hours. All day yesterday, I was bombarded with endless heartbreaking and tearful phone calls from loved ones all while trying to sort out this mess."

ORIGINAL STORY: A post on Lil Tay's Instagram page claimed the rapper had died, but police have since confirmed they have no knowledge of her death.

A statement was posted on the viral sensation's Instagram's page that opened up about the star, whose real name is Claire Hope.

"It is with a heavy heart that we share the devastating news of our beloved Claire's sudden and tragic passing," the statement read.

"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.

"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 irreplaccable void that will be felt by all who knew and loved her."

However, police in Canada and the US have revealed they haven't opened an investigation or received reports about the sudden death.

Insider and The Sun have reported how local authorities in Los Angeles and Vancouver, where the teen rapper had previously lived, 'say they also have no record of her or her sibling's deaths'.

What's even more bizarre is that Lil Tay's father as well as her former manager haven't confirmed her death either.

When asked for information about how the teen star passed away, Christopher Hope told The Sun: "I'm not going to issue any comment. I'm not going to answer that at the moment."

Similarly, former manager, Harry Tsang, revealed to Insider: "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."

Lil Tay landed on the music scene in 2018 when she started posting videos of her with loads of cash and beautiful cars.

She boasted about how she was doing what no one else in the rap game was doing and regularly beefed with other musicians.

There's nothing concrete on the circumstances surrounding reports of her death and her age isn't currently known, however it's believed she was in her mid-teens.