Overview

• The Sept. 8 story remains online with an editor’s note condemning political violence and a byline change from Claire Guinan to “Jezebel.”
• The article detailed paying multiple Etsy sellers for hexes, asserted no wish for physical harm, and included a burned-photo “proof of cast.”
• Paste Media Group president Josh Jackson told Variety the piece was a tongue-in-cheek satire responding to Kirk’s rhetoric.
• Kirk, 31, was shot and killed during a Q&A at Utah Valley University, drawing condemnation from across the political spectrum, including President Donald Trump and Barack Obama.
• Utah public safety officials said two people detained were released with no connection, and agencies continue to search for the shooter.