Lenny Kravitz is addressing false reports that he perished in the Learjet 60 crash that occurred Sunday afternoon in a residential area near the Cresthaven neighborhood in Palm Beach. The 62-year-old musician's representatives moved quickly to correct the record as misinformation circulated online.
In a statement provided to TMZ.com, Kravitz's team said, "The reports are untrue and incorrect." The clarification followed a wave of social media speculation that began after online users misidentified the pilot of the doomed aircraft and connected her to the rocker.
The confusion stemmed from a photograph the pilot had previously posted showing that she had flown Kravitz on a similar route to the one taken by the crashed jet. That single image was treated by some internet users as sufficient evidence to declare the musician dead, according to TMZ.com.
The pilot who was incorrectly identified also issued a public denial on TikTok, stating, "I was recently made aware that there are rumors that I was the pilot of the recent crash in Palm Beach. I would like to respectfully clarify I was not. I ask that people please stop speculating and spreading misinformation on this tragedy and be respectful of those involved. My heart goes out to all those lost and affected."
The private jet was carrying 9 people when it went down approximately 8 miles from Mar-a-Lago. All 9 individuals on board were killed in the crash. Dispatch audio from the incident captured the plane's final moments, including a woman's voice exclaiming, "Holy f***, we're out of time."
The co-pilot has been identified as a 20-year-old woman who obtained her pilot's license before graduating high school. The crash and the ensuing spread of false information have drawn attention to the speed at which unverified claims can travel online in the aftermath of a local tragedy.