Is Usher Dead? No, He's The Lastest Internet Death Hoax Victim

Usher is not dead, despite reports that he was killed in a car crash on Tuesday. He is just the latest in a long string of internet death hoax victims. He appears to be doing just fine, as he reportedly visited Disneyland on Tuesday and has tweeted that he is alive.

Most such death hoaxes originate on Twitter and other social media sites, but the one targeting R&B singer Usher appears to be the doing of the shady news site Global Associated News, which reported the following on Tuesday:

Usher died in a single vehicle crash on Route 80 between Morristown and Roswell. He was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics responding to the vehicle accident and was identified by photo ID found on his body. Alcohol and drugs do not appear to have been a factor in this accident, the site reported. Highway Safety Investigators have told reporters that Usher lost control while driving a friend's vehicle on Interstate 80 and rolled the vehicle several times killing him instantly.

It is not immediately apparent what Global Associated News or Local Team News 9 -- the alleged source of the information -- are, but Global Associated News seems to have set off an online firestorm with the posting, which is developing, according to the site.

However, it appears that there will be no new developments, as Usher has already debunked the claims via his official Twitter account:

I must've died and went to heaven...Alive and cold kickin ass!! Usher Tweeted in a Tuesday afternoon post accompanied by a post of himself showing off his toned, shirtless body.

And reports have emerged that he was on a trip to Disneyland with his sons Naviyd and Cinco on Tuesday. And a photograph of him wearing a snakeskin-patterned tee-shirt and holding one of his sons hands also emerged, further debunking the claims that he is dead.

It's an odd situation, as Global Associated News has a whole host of details about the specifics of the crash that never happened, such as the fake funeral arrangements and the trajectory his car was supposed to have taken during the accident. The website was also behind death hoaxes about Reba McEntire, Jon Bon Jovi and other celebrities.

The article did convince many of Usher's fans, however, as Twitter users posted dozens of tribute messages in response to the reports of his death.

For example, Twitter user @Mr_Popular tweeted the following: Sad moment R.I.P usher it's official always the talented 1's 2 go so young.

But it appears the reports are all wrong and that reports of Usher's death have been greatly exaggerated. Just another day in Internet hype land.