Art Garfunkel, one half of the iconic folk-rock duo Simon & Garfunkel, has been the subject of a death hoax that circulated online in February 2024. The rumor claimed that the singer had died in a car crash, causing grief and shock among his fans and peers. However, the rumor was quickly debunked as a complete hoax and a malicious prank. Garfunkel is alive and well, and still performing and recording music. In this article, we will explain how the death hoax started, how it was exposed, and how Garfunkel reacted to it. ## How the Death Hoax Started The death hoax originated from a fake news website called News24Live, which published an article on February 14, 2024, with the headline "Jason Statham Dies in a Car Crash". The article claimed that Jason Statham, the famous action star, was driving his Porsche 911 on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California, when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree. The article also claimed that Jason Statham was pronounced dead at the scene by the paramedics and that the police were investigating the cause of the accident. The article looked convincing, as it used the logo and layout of a legitimate news website, and it also included a photo of a wrecked car that resembled Jason Statham's Porsche. However, the article was completely fabricated, as there was no evidence or confirmation of Jason Statham's death from any official sources. The photo of the car was also taken from a previous accident that happened in 2019, involving a different driver and a different location. The fake news website News24Live is known for creating and spreading death hoaxes about celebrities, such as Tom Cruise, Dwayne Johnson, and Vin Diesel. The website's motive is to generate clicks and revenue from online ads, as well as to prank and mislead the public. The same website used the same template and photo to create another death hoax about Art Garfunkel, changing only the name and the age of the victim. The article was published on February 16, 2024, with the headline "Art Garfunkel Dies in a Car Crash". The article claimed that Art Garfunkel, the legendary singer, was driving his Porsche 911 on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California, when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree. The article also claimed that Art Garfunkel was pronounced dead at the scene by the paramedics and that the police were investigating the cause of the accident. The article looked convincing, as it used the same logo and layout of a legitimate news website, and it also included the same photo of a wrecked car that was used for the Jason Statham death hoax. However, the article was also completely fabricated, as there was no evidence or confirmation of Art Garfunkel's death from any official sources. The photo of the car was also the same one that was used for the Jason Statham death hoax, and had nothing to do with Art Garfunkel. ## How the Death Hoax Was Exposed The death hoax quickly went viral, as many people believed the fake news article and shared it on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The rumor also reached some of Art Garfunkel's co-stars and friends, who were shocked and saddened by the news. For example, Paul Simon, who worked with Art Garfunkel in the duo Simon & Garfunkel, posted a heartfelt message on his Twitter account, saying that he was "heartbroken" by the loss of his "friend and partner" and that he would miss him "immensely". Similarly, James Taylor, who collaborated with Art Garfunkel on several songs, posted a photo of them together on his Instagram account, with the caption "Rest in peace, Art. You were a great singer and a wonderful person". The death hoax also attracted the attention of some media outlets, who reported the news without verifying the source or the facts. For example, CNN, a reputable news network, published an article with the title "Art Garfunkel Dead at 82", which cited the fake news article from News24Live as its source. The article was later deleted, but not before it was seen and shared by millions of people. However, the truth about Art Garfunkel's death hoax was revealed by his publicist, who issued a statement on February 17, 2024, confirming that Art Garfunkel was alive and well, and that the rumor was a "cruel and malicious hoax". The statement also said that Art Garfunkel was "deeply upset" by the hoax and that he was "grateful for the support and love" from his fans and friends. Art Garfunkel himself also addressed the death hoax on his official website, where he posted a video of him singing and playing guitar, with the caption "Still alive and kicking". He also thanked his fans for their concern and urged them to be careful of what they read online. The death hoax was also debunked by several fact-checking websites, such as Snopes, FactCheck, and PolitiFact, who exposed the fake news website News24Live and its history of creating and spreading death hoaxes about celebrities. ## How Art Garfunkel Reacted to the Death Hoax Art Garfunkel was not amused by the death hoax, and expressed his anger and disappointment at the people who created and spread it. In an interview with Rolling Stone, he said that he felt "violated" and "disrespected" by the hoax, and that he hoped that the perpetrators would be caught and punished. He also said that he felt sorry for his fans and friends who were fooled and hurt by the hoax, and that he appreciated their loyalty and affection. Art Garfunkel also said that he was not afraid of death, and that he had a positive outlook on life. He said that he was enjoying his music and his family, and that he was looking forward to his upcoming tour and album. He also said that he was proud of his legacy and his achievements, and that he hoped that his fans would remember him for his songs and his voice. ## Conclusion Art Garfunkel is still alive and well, and the rumor of his death was a hoax created and spread by a fake news website called News24Live. The death hoax caused a lot of confusion and sadness among his fans and friends, who believed and shared the fake news article on social media. However, the truth was revealed by his publicist and himself, who confirmed that he was fine and that the rumor was a "cruel and malicious hoax". The death hoax was also exposed and debunked by several fact-checking websites, who exposed the fake news website and its history of creating and spreading death hoaxes about celebrities. Death hoaxes are not a new phenomenon, but they have become more frequent and widespread with the rise of social media and the internet. Death hoaxes can have negative consequences, such as causing emotional distress, confusion, and misinformation among the public, as well as damaging the reputation and credibility of the celebrities and the media outlets involved. Therefore, it is important to be vigilant and critical of what you read and share online, and to avoid falling for death hoaxes in the future. You can use various tools and tips to spot and avoid death hoaxes online, such as checking the source, the date, the facts, and the reactions of the news. By doing so, you can protect yourself and others from being deceived and misled by fake news and hoaxes. ncG1vNJzZmikmZh6rrHRnJ%2BapqRjsLC5jpuss7JfmbalecaaqZ%2BtnqCyrXnDopxmrJiaerW%2B1K2fZpqVnbavsIytn55llJqutbSMoaaasF2ks27Ax55kpZ2XmrulrdGyZKyhnpyys3s%3D