Josh Duggar Is Not Dead Despite Rumors On Social Media, Family Slams 'Keyboard Warriors': 'It’s Upsetting'
Josh Duggar is still alive and kicking.
On Thursday, July 29, rumors flooded Twitter claiming that the 19 Kids And Counting alum had died following his arrest on child pornography charges. The rumors were ignited by a fake obituary published by a website on July 7.
"Unconfirmed posts from various social media platforms indicate that former American reality TV personality Joshua James Duggar, known as Josh Duggar, is believed to have died," the counterfeit obituary read.
Duggar's lawyer, Travis W. Story, released a statement to The Sun, claiming that there was "no truth" to the rumor alleging his client's death.
A source close to the Duggars reported, "Many of the family are trying to stay away from what is written about Josh at the minute, especially from looking at Twitter comments since his arrest."
"And despite public opinion of him right now, it's very upsetting to hear keyboard warriers are making up these rumors and causing more stress for them at such an awful time," the source said to The Sun.
- TLC's 'Counting On' Cancelled As Josh Duggar Prepares To Go To Trial On Child Pornography Charges
- Jill Duggar, Derick Dillard Break Their Silence About 'Counting On' Cancelation Four Years After Last Appearing On The Show
- The Way They Were: Josh & Anna Duggar's Relationship Before Child Pornography Scandal
The family's existing TV show, Counting On, a spinoff from their original TLC hit, was canceled after Duggar was charged with receipt and posession of child pornography in April.
The network released a statement following the show's cancellation, "TLC feels like it is important to give the Duggar family the opportunity to address their situation privately."
Duggar was arrested in Arkansas in April, and he was detained without bail. He pleaded not guilty to both charges at his arraignment hearing one day later, and was eventually released on May 6.
As OK! previously reported, Duggar's wife, Anna Duggar, is standing by her husband as he awaits trial, insisting that he's innocent.
Duggar was originally supposed to start trial on July 6, but the court date has been postponed until late November.
