Inside the very sinister world of Lil Tay: Influencer and rapper faced fury over vulgar N-word videos at age NINE - before mysteriously VANISHING amid claims she'd been ABUSED by her dad and 'exploited' by brother Jason Tian

News that 14-year-old influencer Lil Tay had passed away sent shockwaves around the globe this morning - and it marks a devastating end to a tragic story that was filled with rumors of exploitation and allegations of abuse.

Lil Tay, whose real name was Claire Hope, was skyrocketed into the spotlight when she was just nine years old, after she began posting a series controversial and bizarre videos online, which showed her using the N-word and getting into fights with strangers. 

She was hailed as one of the internet's biggest rising stars in 2017, and quickly racked up millions of followers - but her bizarre clips left some people on the web concerned for her wellbeing. 

Soon, rumors began to swirl that she was being forced to partake in the videos by her family, which were only fueled when footage that seemingly showed her then-16-year-old brother, Jason Tian, coaching her on what to say made its way around the web. 

14-year-old influencer Lil Tay has passed away - and her death marks a devastating end to a tragic story that was filled with rumors of exploitation and allegations of abuse

As the world comes to grips with her tragic passing, FEMAIL recapped the social media star's story - from her controversial rise to why she suddenly disappeared from the spotlight

Lil Tay sparked more concern in July 2018, when she shared a chilling message asking for help to her Instagram Stories, only to suddenly erase all of her videos hours later.

Four months later, an anonymous person started sharing harrowing posts to her account in which they claimed that her 'abusive' dad, Chris Hope, was trying to take her away from her mother. 

Chris denied the allegations, claiming that he was actually protecting her. He insisted that he was trying to 'stop things that he felt were dangerous to her physical and mental health and to her future' and separate her from people who were motivated by 'the possibility of making money off of her.'

Then, three years later, her brother issued a desperate plea for help through a GoFundMe page, in which he claimed that Lil Tay was 'fighting for her life, future and freedom' after being 'physically and mentally' abused by her 'absentee' father, who wanted to 'gain control' of her and her earnings.

He alleged that Chris had stolen millions of dollars from his sister, took control of her career, forced her into silence, and was now trying to gain full custody over her.

Now, an unidentified friend has confirmed that both Lil Tay and Jason had passed away in a shocking post shared to her Instagram account on Wednesday, explaining that the 'circumstances surrounding' their deaths are 'still under investigation.'

As the world comes to grips with her tragic passing, FEMAIL went ahead and rounded up everything we know about the social media star's controversial rise to fame and why she suddenly disappeared from the spotlight.

Lil Tay's controversial rise to fame: At just nine years old, she became an online star after videos of her cursing and getting into fights went viral - but some people worried she was being exploited by her family

Lil Tay, whose real name was Claire Hope, was skyrocketed into the spotlight when she was just nine years old, after she began posting a series controversial and bizarre videos online

The clips showed her flaunting stacks of cash and getting into fights with strangers, as well as using words like 'n****r' and 'p***y'

She quickly racked up millions of followers - but her bizarre clips left some people on the web concerned for her wellbeing

Lil Tay first gained fame in 2017, after videos of her using words like 'n****r' and 'p***y' went viral. 

Other clips showed the then-nine-year-old flaunting stacks of cash, getting into fights with strangers, and hurling insults at people who were passing by.

Soon after she was propelled into the spotlight, the young star dropped out of public school and began homeschooling, and moved from Vancouver, Canada, to Los Angeles, California, so she could pursue her career.

She was living with her mom, Angela Tian - who had lost her job as a real estate agent after she let her daughter 'flex' in some of the homes she was supposed to be showing to other clients - and older brother, Jason, at the time.

In early 2018, the young star and her family came under fierce scrutiny after a clip of her brother seemingly instructing her to 'be more ignorant' in her videos went viral.

Rumors swirled that she was being forced to partake in the videos by her family, which were fueled by footage that showed her brother, Jason Tian (seen), coaching her on what to say

At the time, she was living with her mom, Angela Tian (seen) - who lost her job as a real estate agent after she let her daughter 'flex' in the homes she was supposed to be showing clients

Many started to wonder if her mom and brother were taking advantage of her and forcing her to do things she was not comfortable with for online fame. 

However, while speaking to Good Morning America at the time, she insisted, 'No one is forcing me to do this. It's not true that [my family] wants to make money off of me.' 

During an interview with DailyMail.com that same month, Lil Tay explained that she looked at her 'wild stunts' as a way for her to 'motivate' others. 

'I know what I’m saying, I know what I’m doing,' she said, 'And to me, swearing isn’t something negative, it’s something positive to me. It helps me get motivation.'

She also reiterated that she was not being taken advantage of by her mom or brother, adding, 'I’m an independent person so I do it all myself.' 

Her plea for help: Lil Tay sparked concern when she shared the words 'help me' to her Instagram - and four months later, an anonymous person started accusing her father of abuse

In July 2018, however, Lil Tay sparked serious concern when she shared the words 'help me' to her Instagram Story

Hours later, all of her social media accounts were completely wiped of their posts. Her brother, Jason, also shared a message to his Instagram Stories at the time that read, 'Help'

One month later, however, Lil Tay sparked serious concern when she shared the words 'help me' to her Instagram Story. 

Four months later, an anonymous person started sharing harrowing posts to her account in which they claimed that her 'abusive' dad, Chris Hope (seen with Lil Tay), was trying to take her away from her mother 

Hours later, all of her social media accounts were completely wiped of their posts. Her brother, Jason, also shared a message to his Instagram Stories at the time that read, 'Help.' 

Then, in October 2018, someone who claimed to have previously worked with the young star put up a series of alarming posts on her Instagram account, in which they claimed that Lil Tay's dad - who had separated from her mom when she was one - was 'trying to destroy her life for his own financial gain.'

The person said he hadn't had a relationship with Lil Tay in 'a very long time,' but that he had suddenly come back into her life and was trying to 'take her away from her mother,' Angela.

Chris denied the allegations to Hollywood Life, calling them all 'lies' and claiming that he was simply trying to protect her.

Chris denied the allegations to Hollywood Life, calling them all 'lies' and claiming that he was simply trying to protect her

'When my daughter’s social media began to go viral this year, I disagreed with most of the social media activity,' he said. 

'I took legal steps to stop things which I felt were dangerous to her physical and mental health and to her future. 

'I do not think a 10-year-old girl should be put in those situations and made to drop out of school so that she can make money for other people.

'Everyone else involved in this situation is motivated by money and the possibility of making money off of my daughter.

'I am not fighting about money/I am fighting for my daughter – for her happiness and her future.'

Lil Tay speaks out: The star broke her silence on the incident months later, and she said she was 'in a bad situation' and accused her dad of locking her in a closet

In December 2018, Lil Tay broke her silence on the situation to Daily Beast, and she alleged that Chris 'wanted her money'

In December 2018, Lil Tay broke her silence on the situation to Daily Beast. She explained her estranged father had 'filed something with the court' that 'ordered' her to return to Vancouver, Canada, but alleged that he was only doing it because he 'wanted her money.'

She also claimed her dad had previously 'locked her in a closet' while he enjoyed a night out with his new wife, Hanee Hope (seen)

'He was threatening to arrest - to have my mom arrested if we didn’t go back,' she explained.

'I didn’t see him for multiple years. He never saw me for so long, it’s obvious he just came back because he wants money.'

She also claimed her dad had previously 'locked her in a closet' while he enjoyed a night out with his new wife, Hanee Hope. 

'Right now I’m in a bad situation and I don’t want to talk about these things,' she said. 

A spokesperson for Chris told the outlet at the time, 'There are only three things he wants to see.

'First, no more crazy videos of cursing from Tay. Second, 25 per cent of the gross earnings going to a trust fund dedicated to Tay. 

Chris said in a statement, 'She was never locked in a closet. If there is any abuse, it didn’t take place at my house or have anything to do with me'

'The third thing is, there has to be structure in her operation, in her public image.'

Chris added in a statement, 'She was never locked in a closet. If there is any abuse, it didn’t take place at my house or have anything to do with me.'

In one of her only remaining Instagram posts, Lil Tay shared a tribute to rapper XXXTentacion, who was shot dead aged 20 in 2018, and in it, she took a clear jab at her dad.

'X you truly changed me. You were there for me when everyone wanted me to fail, you were there to give me advice, you were there,' she wrote.

'As a father figure, when I don't have one, you were here, FaceTiming me and calling me for hours when I'm down.'

Jason's explosive allegations: Her brother launched a GoFundMe page in 2021 asking for donations to help Lil Tay 'fight for her life, future and freedom' against her 'abusive' father

Then, in 2021, her brother started a GoFundMe page in which he asked for donations to help Lil Tay 'fight against her abusive father'

He shared images that showed Lil Tay with an enormous red mark on her cheek, which he claimed came at the hands of her dad

Then, in 2021, her brother started a GoFundMe page in which he asked for donations to help Lil Tay 'fight against her abusive father.'

He shared images that showed Lil Tay with an enormous red mark on her cheek, which he claimed came at the hands of her dad.

He explained that Lil Tay had 'been silent on social media' for the last three years because Chris 'served their mother a court order demanding control over' her career and earnings

'Tay is in desperate need of funds to support her fight against her abusive father,' he wrote in the description of the GoFundMe. 

'Starting April 23, 2021, Tay will be on trial in the BC Supreme Court of Canada up against her absentee father, Chris Hope, who along with his wife Hanee Hope (previously known as Richanee Alcover), had physically and mentally abused her. 

'Chris Hope is fighting to permanently gain control of her career as well as custody over her.'

He explained that Lil Tay had 'been silent on social media' for the last three years because Chris 'served their mother a court order demanding control over' her career and earnings.

He also claimed that Chris and Hanee 'stole millions of dollars' from her, which they used to buy themselves a 'new mansion, speed boat, and nice cars.'

'My sister Tay has been silent on social media for the past three years because her absentee father served my mother a court order demanding control over Tay’s money, career, and custody,' he continued.

He also claimed that Chris and Hanee 'stole millions of dollars' from her, which they used to buy themselves a 'new mansion, speed boat, and nice car.'

'As a result it was court ordered that my sister had to return to Vancouver, Canada. He also requested through a court order to prevent her from speaking out about the truth. 

'Since then he has stolen millions of dollars from my sister and has taken control of all her funds. 

'He has signed million dollar deals and taken all of Tay’s money for himself. He has spent millions buying himself and his wife a new mansion, speed boat, nice cars, trips to spas, salons, fancy restaurants, trips [all over the world], and designer clothing, jewelry, and watches from head to toe.

'They have been living a lavish lifestyle for the past three years off of Tay's money.'

He added that 'as a result of the situation' Lil Tay was 'in a state of depression' and asked for donations to help cover her 'legal fees.' 

He concluded: 'All funds raised through this GoFundMe will go towards Tay’s legal fees to give her the fighting chance in court to save her from a life of abuse. [It will go] towards her future and freedom.'

Their sudden deaths: A friend confirmed that both Lil Tay and Jason had passed away on Wednesday, and said the 'circumstances surrounding' their deaths were 'still under investigation'

It was confirmed that Lil Tay and Jason, now 21, had both died via a post shared to her Instagram on Wednesday

It was confirmed that Lil Tay and Jason, now 21, had both died via a post shared to her Instagram on Wednesday.

'It is with a heavy heart that we share the devastating news of our beloved Claire's sudden and tragic passing,' it read.

'We have no words to express the unbearable loss and indescribable pain. This outcome was entirely unexpected, and has left us all in shock. Her brother's passing adds an even more unimaginable depth to our grief. 

The cause of death has not been revealed, but there is speculation that they passed away after getting into a car accident since a Twitter user named Jesse Ryan claimed to have witnessed the incident

'During this time of immense sorrow, we kindly ask for privacy as we grieve this overwhelming loss, as the circumstances surrounding Claire and her brother's passing are still under investigation.' 

It concluded: 'Claire will forever remain in our hearts, her absence leaving an irreplaceable void that will be felt by all who knew and loved her.' 

The cause of death has not been revealed, but there is speculation that they passed away after getting into a car accident since a Twitter user named Jesse Ryan claimed to have witnessed the incident. 

He wrote: 'As someone who was at the scene I can confirm that both were together when passing. Due to car collision. The brother was driving.

'Local officials are speculating "texting and driving" being the cause. The other vehicle occupants were okay with minor injuries.'

Lil Tay's lawyer father, Christopher Hope, declined to comment when contacted by DailyMail.com.