Young social media star Lil Tay has died, says post shared on official account
Update: TMZ has reported Lil Tay is alive and claims her Instagram account was hacked. More details here.
A young Canadian social media star who gained millions of followers under the name Lil Tay has died, according to a post on her official account.
The Vancouver-area teenager became a viral Instagram sensation in 2018 through posts that featured her swearing, posing with stacks of $100 bills and bragging about buying expensive sports cars – despite only being nine years old at the time.
A message posted to the Lil Tay Instagram account on Wednesday describes her death as "entirely unexpected."
"It is with a heavy heart that we share the devastating news of our beloved Claire's sudden and tragic passing," it reads. "Claire will forever remain in our hearts, her absence leaving an irreplaceable void that will be felt by all who knew and loved her."
Tay's brother has also died, according to the post, and both deaths are under investigation.
It's unclear who posted the statement, which is not attributed, to the Lil Tay Instagram account.
CTV News has reached out to Tay's father, a former manager, the B.C. Coroners Service and several police departments across the Lower Mainland, but has been unable to corroborate the news of her death.
TikTok user Harry Tsang posted a video on Wednesday identifying himself as the "last known manager" of Tay's, and said he could not confirm the Instagram statement either.
"I have engaged in conversations with individuals who have maintained a close connection with the family, and I was told they cannot talk about the event that occurred, nor any current affair," Tsang said.
Tsang also indicated that he had conferred with his "personal psychic" on the matter.
The Lil Tay account garnered widespread attention due to Tay's foul-mouthed antics, which ultimately attracted 3.3 million followers.
"Lil Tay has copped a brand new Ferrari. Ya'll haven't seen this car in your lives, I'm out here flexing and all y'all broke-ass haters," she says in one video, which was viewed 13 million times.
"Y'all grown ass men hating on me 'cause you're broke and jealous."
One post landed Tay's mother, former real estate agent Angela Tian, in hot water after one of her clients recognized his own home being used as a backdrop for a Lil Tay video.
The Metro Vancouver property was presented as an apartment overlooking the Hollywood Hills. Tian ultimately resigned from Pacific Evergreen Realty, the company that was representing the listing.
Prior to Wednesday's announcement, the last post on the Lil Tay account was from June 2018.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Liberal caucus chairs meeting to talk Trudeau today, PM attends Canada-U.S. cabinet committee
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is back in Ottawa today, but with him yet to signal he's ready to address the snowballing resignation calls, the Liberal caucus' regional chairs have called a meeting today to discuss next steps.
When do I receive federal benefits this year? Payment dates for 2025
From the Canada Child Benefit to Old Age Security, federal payment dates have been determined for 2025. Find out when you can expect your payments.
Sea and Himalayan salts recalled in Canada: 'Do not use, serve or distribute'
Two brands of sea and Himalayan salt are being recalled in Canada due to pieces of plastic found in the products.
Ontario aiming to send out $200 rebate cheques later this month or early February
Ontarians should receive their $200 rebate cheque from the province by the end of January or early February, a government spokesperson confirmed in an email Friday.
'Mystery volcano' that erupted and cooled Earth in 1831 has finally been identified
An unknown volcano erupted so explosively in 1831 that it cooled Earth's climate. Now, nearly 200 years later, scientists have identified the 'mystery volcano.'
FORECAST
FORECAST Weather warnings issued for nearly all of Canada's provinces and territories
Nearly every province and territory in Canada is subject to weather advisories heading into the weekend.
Suspect charged in northern Ont. road rage incident that went viral
A 37-year-old suspect has been charged in connection with a road rage incident last week in Temiskaming Shores.
Hockey Canada picks up the pieces after another quarterfinal exit at world junior
Hockey Canada executive Scott Salmond says 'the buck stops' with him.
Cruise ships hit by worst year for stomach bugs in over a decade, CDC data reveals
The latest data suggests 2024 was the worst year for cruise ship-based gastrointestinal outbreaks in over a decade.
Vancouver Island
-
Woman, 63, dead after collision on Vancouver Island
A 63-year-old woman is dead after the car she was driving collided with a truck on southern Vancouver Island.
-
Museum of whale skeletons, painstakingly rebuilt over years, consumed by B.C. fire
It takes years to rebuild a whale. Just ask Jim Borrowman, co-founder of the Whale Interpretive Centre museum that housed numerous whale skeletons on the boardwalk of Telegraph Cove on Vancouver Island.
-
Suspect sought after taxi stolen at knifepoint from B.C. airport
Mounties in northern British Columbia are searching for a suspect who allegedly stole a taxicab at knifepoint from the Prince George International Airport on Christmas Day.
Kelowna
-
Mounties investigate discovery of 'very small pipe bomb' in Kamloops, B.C.
Mounties are investigating and appealing for witnesses after an explosive device was discovered Wednesday on a beach in Kamloops, B.C.
-
Kamloops couple delivers B.C.'s first baby of 2025
B.C.'s first baby of 2025 was born just after midnight at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops.
-
B.C. team building 100 beaver 'starter homes' in the name of wetland preservation
More than 70 manmade beaver dams have been installed in Interior waterways since the B.C. Wildlife Federation project launched last year with the goal of building 100 dams by the end of 2025.
Edmonton
-
Nenshi announces run for Edmonton-Strathcona seat to 'go head-to-head' with Smith
New Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi says he is aiming to join the legislature to "go head-to-head" with Premier Danielle Smith.
-
Edmonton police rule October death of man in central Edmonton 'suspicious'
Edmonton Police Service is investigating the suspicious death of an Edmonton man in October.
-
Homicide investigation underway after woman found dead on Edmonton riverbank
Police have identified a woman who was recently found dead on the shore of the North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton.
Calgary
-
5,600 Olympic Plaza bricks were saved, being returned to those who purchased them
The City of Calgary is in the process of giving back thousands of bricks saved from Olympic Plaza ahead of the aging infrastructure's overhaul.
-
Third person charged with first-degree murder in Lethbridge motel death
A third person has been charged with first-degree murder after a woman was found dead in a Lethbridge motel room over the weekend.
-
Calgary Wild name Lydia Bedford the women's pro soccer's team's first head coach
The Calgary Wild women's pro soccer team has named Lydia Bedford the team's first head coach.
Lethbridge
-
Third person charged with first-degree murder in Lethbridge motel death
A third person has been charged with first-degree murder after a woman was found dead in a Lethbridge motel room over the weekend.
-
Businesses see influx of customers working on New Year's resolutions
Marketing research company Sago estimates about 43 per cent of Canadians will make a New Year's resolution.
-
2 charged with first-degree murder in Lethbridge motel death
Lethbridge Police have charged two people with first-degree murder, after a body was found in a southside motel room last weekend.
Winnipeg
-
Proposed Winnipeg Costco could be growing in size
The footprint for the new Costco planned in Winnipeg could be growing.
-
Man jumps from moving vehicle to escape robbery of high-end shoes: Winnipeg police
Two men from Saskatchewan have been charged after another man had to leap from a moving vehicle during an attempted robbery.
-
Winnipeggers invited to share condolences with family of Jimmy Carter
Winnipeggers will have the chance to share their condolences with the family of Jimmy Carter following the death of the former U.S. president on Sunday.
Regina
-
CTV Regina's top trending stories of 2024
Whether it was hard news or light-hearted features, the year of 2024 hosted some very compelling stories – with several being widely shared online and reaching new audiences.
-
Extreme cold warning blankets central, southern Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan's two largest cities are under an extreme cold warning Friday morning as wind chill values near -40 C along with temperatures in the -30 C range are expected to hang around through the weekend.
-
Former Rider Chris Getzlaf joining Regina Thunder staff
The team announced Friday that former Saskatchewan Roughrider Chris Getzlaf has been hired as an offensive consultant.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon police investigating stabbing incidents that left 3 men seriously injured
Saskatoon police are investigating multiple stabbing incidents that left three men seriously injured.
-
Extreme cold warning blankets central, southern Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan's two largest cities are under an extreme cold warning Friday morning as wind chill values near -40 C along with temperatures in the -30 C range are expected to hang around through the weekend.
-
Man jumps from moving vehicle to escape robbery of high-end shoes: Winnipeg police
Two men from Saskatchewan have been charged after another man had to leap from a moving vehicle during an attempted robbery.
Toronto
-
Ontario aiming to send out $200 rebate cheques later this month or early February
Ontarians should receive their $200 rebate cheque from the province by the end of January or early February, a government spokesperson confirmed in an email Friday.
-
Union representing Ontario college faculty in legal strike position as of Saturday
Ontario college students could soon see their winter semester cut short if the union representing faculty at the province’s 24 public colleges moves ahead with strike action in the coming weeks.
-
Toronto's high housing costs may be pushing immigrants out: report
The number of immigrants who choose to stay in Toronto five years after getting here is declining, Statistics Canada says, and one of the possible reasons why will likely not come as a surprise to most.
Montreal
-
Colder days ahead for Montreal as temperatures drop
It was a warmer-than-usual New Year's Day in Montreal, with temperatures hovering just above freezing, but Environment and Climate Change Canada is predicting that colder temperatures are here to stay as we kick off 2025.
-
Montrealers waiting hours to be seen in hospital ERs
Montrealers headed to the hospital could be waiting hours before seeing a doctor in the emergency room.
-
Authorities urge snowmobilers to exercise caution, especially when alone
In the wake of several recent fatal collisions, the Quebec provincial police (SQ) is urging snowmobilers to exercise caution at the start of 2025.
Ottawa
-
Highrise fire on Ramsey Crescent injures 16 residents
The Ottawa Paramedic Service says four adult women were taken to hospital following a fire that happened in a highrise on Ramsey Crescent, in the west end of Ottawa, in the early hours of Friday morning.
-
OTTAWA'S LRT
OTTAWA'S LRT All aboard Ottawa's new LRT line: What you need to know about the new north-south Line 2 and Line 4
Ottawa’s new north-south rail line will open to the public on Monday, Jan. 6, connecting downtown Ottawa and Riverside South with a spur to the Ottawa International Airport.
-
Canadian restaurant chain Philthy Philly's coming to Ottawa's ByWard Market
Philthy Philly's, a Canadian cheesesteak sandwich and poutine restaurant, is coming to Ottawa's ByWard Market this year.
Atlantic
-
Suspect in New Year's Eve double slaying in Halifax was wanted in Toronto shooting
Halifax police say the 39-year-old man who allegedly killed a woman and her father on New Year's Eve was a fugitive wanted in a 2019 Toronto nightclub shooting.
-
Saint John man charged with second-degree murder in wife’s Christmas Eve death
A man accused of murdering his wife on Christmas Eve made his first court appearance in Saint John, N.B., Friday morning.
-
Death of man inside Porters Lake home not suspicious: Halifax RCMP
Police have released more details about the death of a man who barricaded himself inside a home in Porters Lake, N.S., Thursday.
London
-
Guerra Guerra found guilty of second-degree murder in bush party case
Carlos Guerra Guerra has been found guilty of second-degree murder in the 2021 bush party murder trial.
-
Environment Canada upgrades snow squall watch to warning
Several areas in Midwestern Ontario have had a snow squall watch upgraded to a snow squall warning.
-
Vehicle collides with Ingersoll business
A vehicle crashed into a business in Ingersoll earlier in the week, according to Oxford County OPP.
Kitchener
-
More than 30 bottles of scotch and tequila stolen from Guelph business
The Guelph Police Service is investigating after three people made off with $2,700 worth of alcohol from a business on Thursday.
-
Ontario aiming to send out $200 rebate cheques later this month or early February
Ontarians should receive their $200 rebate cheque from the province by the end of January or early February, a government spokesperson confirmed in an email Friday.
-
Sea and Himalayan salts recalled in Canada: 'Do not use, serve or distribute'
Two brands of sea and Himalayan salt are being recalled in Canada due to pieces of plastic found in the products.
Northern Ontario
-
Suspect charged in northern Ont. road rage incident that went viral
A 37-year-old suspect has been charged in connection with a road rage incident last week in Temiskaming Shores.
-
When do I receive federal benefits this year? Payment dates for 2025
From the Canada Child Benefit to Old Age Security, federal payment dates have been determined for 2025. Find out when you can expect your payments.
-
Sault, Ont., man claims Indigenous moose hunting rights without proof, fined $5,500
A hunter from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., has been fined for moose hunting without a licence or proper documentation. He claimed Indigenous hunting rights but failed to provide any proof.
N.L.
-
Labradorians pay thousands to fly to Newfoundland. Could a Quebec energy deal help?
An airport executive in Labrador hopes a new energy deal with Quebec could help attract a competing airline company to the northern region, where flights costs have climbed at more than three times the national rate.
-
Icebreaker on hand in Labrador to guide season's last freight arrivals by ferry
A Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker is in central Labrador until Saturday to guide the Kamutik W ferry on its last freight deliveries of the season.
-
Whooping cough in Canada: Outbreaks or case increases reported in these provinces
Canadian health officials say they're seeing spikes in whooping cough cases in parts of the country as the U.S. deals with case numbers not seen in more than a decade.
