A hoax: Truth behind Jessica Radcliffe orca attack incident; here’s what you need to know

A video that is now going viral on social media shows a marine trainer named Jessica Radcliffe allegedly being attacked and killed by an orca, sparking widespread concerns. The footage seems to capture a violent incident at a marine park during a live show.Fact-checking investigations have since confirmed that such an event never took place, and there are no official records, news reports, or credible sources confirming the existence of Jessica Radcliffe or the alleged attack.Experts quoted by IB Times say that the clip itself is AI-generated, highlighting how quickly misinformation can spread and the challenges faced while debunking false information once it gains momentum.The clip’s central claim is that Radcliffe was attacked by an Orca during a live show. However, fact-checkers from sources like Vocal Media found no trace of a person named Jessica Radcliffe in marine park employment records, credible news reports, or public databases. Official marine safety records showed no evidence of such an incident, reports IB Times.There are several versions of the video circulating on social media that are made in a way to amplify emotional response and improve traction.The hoax seems to draw on elements from actual incidents involving orcas and their trainers, reports IB Times. A 40-year-old trainer, Dawn Brancheau, died in 2010 after a killer whale, Tilikum, pulled her into the pool at SeaWorld, Orlando, reports CBS News. In a similar incident, Spanish trainer Alexis Martinez was also killed at a marine park located on Tenerife.