Teenage viral influencer and rapper Lil Tay has been reported dead. Reports suggest her brother too died. But, who was her brother Jason Tian?
Lil Tay (real name: Claire Eileen Qi Hope), who was originally from Canada but moved to Los Angeles, garnered viral fame on YouTube and social media after she began posting videos in 2017 aged just nine.
Her controversial videos showed her cussing, insulting passersby, flashing stacks of cash and even starting fights.
On August, 2023, at aged 14, her family confirmed her death in a statement. Unfortunately, she died alongside her elder brother who had a failed rap career.
Following her death led to many asking who her sibling was and what happened to them. Read on for more.
Who is Lil Tay’s brother, Jason Tian?
Jason Tian is arguably best known as Lil Tay’s brother.
Before his sister, whose real name was Claire Hope, rose to fame, he tried to make it as a rapper himself under the stage name Rycie, however, his career was ultimately a bust.
During the height of Lil Tay’s fame, he was accused of coaching his sister and creating her online personality.
YouTuber NessGod posted a since-deleted video claiming that Tian invented his younger sister’s loud-mouth personality after he did not find fame himself.
The allegations were made after a video of Tian telling Lil Tay what to say and how to act went viral back in 2018.
At this time additional details on Tian’s personal life are unclear because he often stays out of the spotlight.
What happened to Lil Tay and her brother Jason Tian?
Lil Tay and her brother have been out of the spotlight for years, which is why many were shocked when it was announced that Lil Tay had passed away.
On August 9, 2023, Lil Tay was reported dead. Her family has confirmed on her official Instagram page which boast over 3 million followers. The family shared her passing in a statement on Wednesday, adding that her older brother, Jason Tian, also died.
“It is with a heavy heart that we share the devastating news of our beloved Claire’s sudden and tragic passing,” the post began.
“We have no words to express the unbearable loss and indescribable pain. This outcome was entirely unexpected, and has left us all in shock.”
The post went on to say that “her brother’s passing adds an even more unimaginable depth to our grief,” however, it did not name Tian directly.
“During this time of immense sorrow, we kindly ask for privacy as we grieve this overwhelming loss.”
At this time, details on Lil Tay and her brother’s death have not been released, but the post stated that it is under investigation.
“Claire will forever remain in our hearts, her absence leaving an irreplaceable void that will be felt by all who knew and loved her.”
Lil Tay’s last post was in honor of XXXTentacion.
Lil Tay’s last Instagram post was mourning her friend XXXTentacion. She posted a screenshot of a FaceTime call with him and shared some text messages.
Tay captioned the post: ” you truly changed me [heart emoji] you were there for me when everyone wanted me to fail, you were there to give me advice, you were there.
“As a father figure, when I don’t have one, you were here, FaceTiming me and calling me for hours when I’m down, 3 hours ago you announced the Charity event we were going to throw, we had everything setup, I can’t believe this, the evil in the world, This isn’t good Bye.
“I Love you Bro.”
At the time of his death, XXXTentacion, whose real name was Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy, was only 20 years old.
On June 18, 2018, the young rapper died after he was approached by two armed suspects in what police say was a possible robbery.
X was reportedly shopping for motorcycles in South Florida and was leaving a dealership at the time.
He was taken to the hospital around 1.35pm local time after he was shot multiple times, where he later passed away.