Online influencer and rapper Lil Tay has died at the age of 14 her family announced today, five years after the controversial social media star – whose real name was Claire Hope – shot to online fame.

The news of her ‘sudden and tragic’ passing was confirmed by an unnamed family member in a statement shared on the teen’s Instagram account today – when it was revealed that her 21-year-old brother, Jason Tian, has also died.

Lil Tay became embroiled in furious controversy in 2018 amid allegations that she was being physically and mentally abused by her father as well as being exploited by her brother – with her mother also losing her job as a real estate agent over the youngster’s content.