Overview

• The false claim appeared on September 11 on the Facebook page “GZSZ-Nachrichten,” using a plane-wreck image and a mourning cross while asserting police had confirmed his death.
• Schlönvoigt said he was shocked, immediately informed his family he was safe, and has retained a lawyer to pursue the matter.
• The post spread on social media before being debunked by his Instagram story and subsequent media reports.
• Similar fake death posts recently targeted GZSZ colleague Nina Ensmann on a fan page, though she continues working on the RTL series.
• Outlets situate the incident within a recurring pattern of click-driven celebrity death hoaxes in Germany.