“I'm alive!”: Former TV star emerges to refute claims
A former Bride and Prejudice star has spoken out against claims that she died, revealing her social media accounts were hacked spreading misinformation.
It was reported on social media that Dannii Erskine had passed away in a horrific car crash in Melbourne on April 29.
“Yes I have been in hospital but (I’m) very much alive”, she reportedly said.
Erskine added that her family had “disowned her” following the death drama.
The 28-year-old appeared on the Channel 7 show Bride and Prejudice in 2019 with her then-finance, Denton Ansley.
A person claiming to be her sister told the So Dramatic! Podcast, hosted by entertainment journalist Megan Pustetto, that Erskine’s car was T-boned while returning home from the shops in North Melbourne.
“Dee" said Errskine had sustained fatal injuries when her skull was crushed upon impact with her airbag and later died in hospital.
There also appeared to be a post written by her family on her Instagram page, saying “REST IN PEACE Dannii Erskine. 1995-2023”.
The page was taken down shortly after.
However, there were rumours that Erskine might still be alive.
In the wake of the claims, Erskine has released a statement to So Dramatic!
“On the 29th of April, 2023, my Instagram account was hacked,” she said.
“I spoke to the police over the phone and they’re going to look into it … I also reported it to Google.”
Erskine claimed a notification on her phone said it has been logged into from a location in Geelong the day prior to her apparent death. She lives in the Mornington Peninsula.
She insisted her sister Dee “never emailed” the podcast, rather it was “sent from someone who hacked my account”.
“I have no idea who emailed So Dramatic! and to be honest I don’t really care.”
Erskine revealed she had been in a car accident but that was in September 2022.
She said she had been in hospital “all week” for an ankle reconstruction and doctors said she should focus on her recovery.
“I haven’t had time to deal with this”.
The former reality TV star claimed she was “advised not to comment” on the rumours, however, didn’t reveal who had advised her not to immediately state she was still alive.
Pustetto said she has seen several messages from family members regarding the supposed death.
Erskine said in her statement that her family was unimpressed by the ordeal.
“I spoke to my family who (have) now completely disowned me. They advised to try (and) focus on my upcoming surgery.
“It has put a lot of stress on my family and has caused severe issues for my sister.”
Following the announcement, tributes flowed in for Erskine with her family writing emotional comments on her Instagram page.
“28/04 took Dannii’s life to a speeding driver – An awful accident [sic],” one family member wrote.
“We appreciate and respect wishes we have received as a family.”
“Rest well Dans,” another post read.
Image credit: Instagram