The family of Lil Tay, who found fame as a child rapper, has released a statement following her reported death at just 14 years old.
Lil Tay, whose real name was Claire Eileen Qi Hope, rose to fame at just nine years old with videos on social media and YouTube, in which she dubbed herself the 'youngest flexer of the century'.
She often flaunted her wealth and lifestyle, posing with designer clothing and luxury cars on Instagram.
Her family released a statement on Wednesday telling fans that Lil Tay and her brother, 21-year-old Jason Tian, who reportedly helped produce her videos, had also died.
Their statement read: "It is with a heavy heart that we share the devastating news of our beloved Claire's sudden and tragic passing.
"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."
The message concluded: "Claire will forever remain in our hearts, her absence leaving an irreplaceable void that will be felt by all who knew and loved her."
However, despite the family claiming an investigation had been opened into Lil Tay's death, Insider reports that the Los Angeles Police Department and the county medical examiner had no information on an investigation into the death of anyone named Claire Hope, while the Vancouver Police Department - where she grew up - also said they had 'no reports of her death and were not investigating the case.'
Lil Tay's father, Christopher Hope, and her manager Harry Tsang, also declined to confirm whether she and her brother had died when approached by Insider.
Tsang told the outlet in a 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."
Lil Tay had dropped off the internet in 2018 after a video leaked with her being fed lined by a voice off camera, which was reported to be her brother, directing the brash on-screen persona she'd become famous for.
Her Instagram account became active again in 2021 after years of lying dormant, with posts appearing - reportedly penned by her brother - accusing their father of physical and mental abuse and of taking Lil Tay's money.
Hope denied the accusations at the time and issued a cease and desist order to Instagram.
Lil Tay had also addressed claims she was influenced by her family to make the videos, claiming in 2018 that she enjoyed what she was doing.
Her mother, Angela Tian, who is a real estate agent in Vancouver, reportedly once said she never expected her children to get such a following and defended the videos as 'comedy' which some people had misunderstood.
Some of Lil Tay's best-known videos included her touring Jake Paul's home and her feuding with rapper Danielle Bregoli, better known as Bhad Bhabie.
Currently, it is unknown whether the statement announcing Lil Tay and her brother's death is accurate as there has been no official confirmation from police or her management, and it is unknown who released the post on Instagram.
