An email forward is circulating in which it is claimed that the real Michael Jackson is dead and that an impostor, possibly of supernatural origin, has taken his place. The message is disguised to resemble a genuine news report and includes images of the discovery and "the creature that claims to be Michael Jackson". According to this "news report" the corpse of the real Michael Jackson has been found buried under miniature-train tracks at Jackson's Neverland Ranch. Supposedly, forensic tests indicated that the body has been there for many years. The story implies that the entity currently claiming to be Michael Jackson is in fact an otherworldly figure - perhaps a demon.
Excerpt from email forward
Subject: SHOCKING NEWS
SANTA BARBARA, CA-During a search for evidence at the Neverland Valley Ranch, investigators discovered a corpse that has been identified as that of Michael Jackson, Santa Barbara police officials announced Tuesday. "Coroners have officially pronounced Michael Jackson dead. From what we can tell, he died between 18 and 20 years ago," forensic investigator Tim Holbrooke said. "We are not certain, at this time, who-or what-has been standing trial in that Santa Maria courthouse."
Of course, there is not even a shred of truth in this far-fetched tale. The story is satire, and is presumably intended to amuse and entertain. This tale originates from a recent feature on the satirical news site, The Onion.
When viewed in it's original context on The Onion website, it is quite clear that the story is satirical and not intended to report a real incident. In fact, all stories featured on the Onion website are satirical in nature. Unfortunately, because the story is now circulating in the form of a sourceless email forward, some credulous recipients actually believe the story to be true in spite of its fantastic claims.
A closer examination of the information should reveal its satirical nature to even the most gullible of readers. Naturally, if true, such a story would be front-page news around the planet.
False reports about the deaths of celebrities are not uncommon. During 2004, a satirical "news" report about the death of American Idol's William Hung spread widely via email and the Internet and hoodwinked many readers.
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