Did an orca attack marine trainer Jessica Radcliffe? Fact-checking the viral video

For days, social media has been flooded with the dramatic video of a killer whale supposedly attacking and killing marine trainer Jessica Radcliffe during a live show.

The alleged incident, captured in the now viral video, triggered shock, outrage, and grief online.

But here’s the twist: none of it was real.

Investigators quickly uncovered that the so-called “tragedy” was nothing more than a fabricated hoax. The trainer’s name, the marine park, even the supposed attack, all of it was pure fiction generated by artificial intelligence.

Here’s how the viral claim fell apart.

What the viral video shows

The viral clip appears to show a young woman performing with an orca at the so-called Pacific Blue Marine Park.

Crowds can be heard cheering as the whale surfaces and the woman stands on its back. But moments later, the orca seems to lunge, dragging “Jessica Radcliffe” under the water.

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According to the online narrative, Radcliffe, 23, allegedly died just minutes after being pulled from the water. Those claiming to have “witnessed” the incident described it as horrifying.

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The footage spread rapidly across TikTok, Facebook, and other platforms, sparking heated discussions about the ethics of keeping wild animals in captivity and the safety of marine park performances.

One user wrote, “They are called killer whales for a reason, right?” Another argued, “That’s why they belong in the wild and not in captivity.”

Others were more sceptical, with one commenter pointing out, “Doesn’t show anything but a big splash and a bunch of people running.”

How was the viral video debunked?

Digital forensic experts and fact-checkers quickly spotted red flags.

For starters, there were no credible news reports, obituaries, or official statements from any marine park that matched the supposed incident. In genuine cases involving animal attacks, confirmations from local authorities and the facility involved usually surface within hours.

Then came the audio. Experts noted that the voices in the clip sounded unnaturally flat, with awkward pauses, a common giveaway of AI-generated speech.

Visual analysis also revealed inconsistencies. The way the water splashed and how the figures moved didn’t quite line up, further suggesting that the footage was artificially generated, The Star reported.

And the biggest clue? The “Pacific Blue Marine Park” doesn’t exist; there is no such registered facility anywhere.

Also read: Why Tahlequah, the killer orca that carried its dead calf for weeks, is mourning again

But have orca attacks really happened?

While the Jessica Radcliffe video is entirely fake, real-life orca incidents have been recorded over the years.

Orcas, often called killer whales, are intelligent, social predators that live in oceans across the globe. In the wild, they are not generally considered a threat to humans. Most fatal encounters have happened in captivity, where stress, confinement, and unnatural environments can trigger dangerous behaviour.

One of the most notorious cases involves Tilikum, a massive male orca linked to three deaths. In 1991, trainer Keltie Byrne fell into Tilikum’s tank at Sealand of the Pacific and drowned, repeatedly pulled underwater while other orcas blocked rescue efforts.

Eight years later, in 1999, Daniel Dukes was found dead on Tilikum’s back, with investigators believing he may have entered the pool at night.

The most infamous incident occurred in 2010, when Tilikum killed experienced SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau during a show in Orlando, dragging her underwater in a prolonged struggle.

Other tragedies have happened, too. In 2009, an orca named Keto killed Spanish trainer Alexis Martinez during a rehearsal, reminding the world that these powerful animals, especially in captivity, can be unpredictable and deadly.

With input from agencies