Miley Cyrus is alive and well, despite being the most recent celebrity to fall prey to an Internet death hoax.
A Facebook scam claimed that the "Wrecking Ball" singer was found dead in her Los Angeles Home Saturday due to a drug overdose. MTV Australia explained that the hoax was not a false report, but a scam that was "designed to lure people to click through and spread online surveys to make money."
"{SHOCKING} Miley Cyrus Found Dead In Her Los Angeles Home!" the headline read along with a picture of Cyrus on her bed with an open bottle of pills next to her head.
According to the Huffington Post, the picture used in the hoax was taken from Cyrus' "Blonde SuperFreak Steals the Magic Brain" video she made with Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne and Moby.
Fans immediately shut down the online rumor, however those that did click on the link for more details helped the scammers who spread the rumors make more money.
Despite whispers of her death, Cyrus, who was hospitalized in April for a severe allergic reaction, reportedly found the prank humorous. She has been absent from both Twitter and Instagram. further fueling speculation of an overdose.
"She is aware of the death hoax and thought it was actually pretty funny," a close friend of Cyrus' revealed to HollywoodLife.com. "By not responding, she thinks it is that much more of a joke because people are continuing to believe it."
The "Adore You" singer is not the first celebrity to fall victim to an Internet death hoax. Paul McCartney, Wayne Knight, Tom Hanks, Lil Wayne and Lady Gaga have all been the subjects of death rumors.
