Lifestyle influencer Michelle Mukoro, popularly known as King Mitchy, is alive, her management has confirmed, following widespread rumours of her death after she reportedly drank Sniper insecticide during a livestream.
The dramatic development comes amid an escalating social media feud between King Mitchy and digital activist Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, which also drew in the son of Nigeria’s President, Seyi Tinubu.
On Saturday evening, King Mitchy appeared visibly distressed during an Instagram livestream, where she was seen consuming a substance believed to be Sniper — a popular insecticide.
Concerned aides were observed scrambling to intervene before the live video abruptly ended, sparking fears among viewers.
Shortly after, unverified reports flooded social media claiming she had died at an Abuja hospital. However, her management later retracted the claim, stating, “Michelle is okay now.”
Prime Care Hospitals, which was named in viral posts, firmly denied that the influencer was ever admitted to its facility.
In a statement, the hospital described reports of her alleged death at its Abuja clinic as “false,” adding that it was working with authorities to trace the source of the misinformation and would pursue legal action against those responsible.
The incident unfolded against the backdrop of a heated online clash between King Mitchy and VeryDarkMan over her claim that she renovated a school within six days.
While Mitchy presented receipts showing she spent over N1 million on the project, VeryDarkMan dismissed the renovation as false and politically motivated, alleging she was being used as a pawn.
As the exchanges intensified, VeryDarkMan mentioned Seyi Tinubu, insinuating links between the president’s son and the influencer.
Tinubu, in a public statement, denied any improper relationship, clarifying that he had only met Mitchy once in a public setting and supported her NGO as part of his youth-focused philanthropic activities.
He rejected claims of political orchestration, describing the allegations as “baseless narratives.”
Sniper, a pesticide containing dichlorvos (DDVP), is widely used in Nigeria for pest control. Manufactured by Swiss-Nigerian Chemical Company, the product has repeatedly raised public health concerns due to its misuse in suicide attempts.
In 2019, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) restricted its open sale following reports of increased ingestion cases.
Health experts have long warned about pesticide self-poisoning, which studies estimate accounts for a significant proportion of global suicide cases.
Online Fallout
As rumours of her alleged death spread, social media was flooded with tributes, shock and skepticism. In a controversial twist, VeryDarkMan posted a reaction video holding what appeared to be a poisonous substance, further fuelling outrage.
Hours later, King Mitchy returned to Instagram, declaring she would not be silenced by bullying or online harassment. In an emotional post, she defended her integrity and insisted her charitable work was genuine.
The controversy has reignited conversations around cyberbullying, influencer accountability and the dangers of misinformation in Nigeria’s digital space.
If you or someone you know is struggling with emotional distress or suicidal thoughts, please seek immediate help from a qualified health professional or contact a local emergency service. Support is available.