Is iconic Detroit rapper Marshall Mathers dead from an overdose and was his body found in his Shelby Township home? Nope, that story came from a prank website and not from a real news outlet, it wasn't true.
It was published on Channel45News on or around February 24, 2018 under the title "Eminem Dead at 45 (possible overdose) - Channel 45 News" (archived here). The full prank read:
The famous and iconic Detroit rapper Marshall Mathers was found dead in his Shelby Twp. home last night at around 9:30 pm. Coroners report indicates a possible overdose of methamphetamine. More details are on the way as more reports come in.
The entire article would have looked something like this on social media:
Eminem Dead at 45 (possible overdose) - Channel 45 News
The famous and iconic Detroit rapper Marshall Mathers was found dead in his Shelby Twp. home last night at around 9:30 pm. Coroners report indicates a possible overdose of methamphetamine. More details are on the way as more reports come in.
We wrote about channel45news.com "pranks" before:
- Fake News: Colin Kaepernick Did NOT Sign 2 Year Deal With The Steelers For $8 Million
- Fake News: Two Killers NOT On The Loose In Wabash Indiana
- O.J. Simpson Fake News Roundup (President, Kardashians, Browns...)
- Fake News: Hiding Painted Rocks In Public Spaces NOT Becoming Illegal
- Fake News: Fantasia & Jazmine Sullivan Did NOT Announce Joint Tour
The site is part of a network of prank sites operated by Korry Scherer from Milwaukee, WI. according to WHOIS data. The site lets visitors create their own realistic looking fake news stories to prank friends and family.
The site seems to be part of a network of similar sites. So far we've found these, but there may be others:
- channel22news.com
- channel23news.com
- channel24news.com
- channel28news.com
- channel33news.com
- channel34news.com
- channel40news.com
- channel45news.com
- channel46news.com
The sites all come with disclaimers at the bottom of each prank:
We do NOT support FAKE NEWS!!! This is a Prank website that is intended for Fun. Bullying, Violent Threats or posts that Violate Public Order are NOT permitted on this Website.
