Claim: Social media posts and blogs allege that Jessica Radcliffe, described as a marine trainer, was killed during a live show after being attacked by a dolphin or killer whale.
Verdict: False – The story is a hoax with no credible evidence.
The Viral Video
In recent weeks, videos and text posts have circulated online claiming that Jessica Radcliffe, a celebrated marine park trainer, died during a performance when a dolphin or in some versions, a killer whale turned aggressive and dragged her underwater.
Some posts feature dramatic descriptions and fabricated eyewitness accounts, with others attaching unrelated marine park footage to strengthen the illusion.
What We Found
A thorough review of news archives, official marine park statements, and obituaries revealed no record of a trainer named Jessica Radcliffe ever working at a marine park, nor any official reports of her alleged death.
Multiple reputable fact-check sources including The Star and independent investigative blogs have confirmed that:
There are no verifiable employment records for a marine trainer by that name.
There are no credible witness statements or park press releases matching the described event. The online stories claimed that Jessica was attacked since she was in her periods, menses attacked the whale, lacks credibility.
The videos shared alongside the claim are old or unrelated footage repurposed from other marine mammal performances.
Genesis of the story
The Jessica Radcliffe narrative appears to be inspired by real incidents involving orcas (killer whales), such as:
•Dawn Brancheau, killed by an orca named Tilikum at SeaWorld Orlando in 2010.
•Alexis Martínez, killed by an orca named Keto at Loro Parque, Spain in 2009.
By borrowing elements from these tragedies, the hoax gains a sense of plausibility, making it easier to spread.
Why It Matters
False death stories like this can:
Exploit real tragedies for clicks and views.
Spread misinformation that damages reputations of organizations and individuals.
Distract from legitimate conversations on animal welfare and marine park safety.p
