The Roy Howard Community Journalism Center’s “What Is True?” team investigated social media claims that a sinister “Cat-in-the-Hat” is stalking south Mississippi.
Result: False
Several south Mississippi schools launched investigations after social media posts claimed a “serial killer” dressed as Dr. Seuss’ Cat in the Hat was stalking the area. The purported killer, however, was not real.
The posts were part of a viral social media prank trend involving AI-generated images. Individuals and communities have reported being targeted or harassed by online accounts using the “Cat-in-the-Hat Killer” moniker.
The images and videos themselves are not necessarily criminal. However, Lamar County Chief Deputy Mike Purvis said posts that include threats to harm an individual, institution or school could constitute terrorist threats, a felony under Mississippi law.
While the origin of the trend could not be independently determined, a viral post on X showing a deteriorated Cat in the Hat costume from the live-action film being offered at auction may have helped inspire the trend.
One early example appeared in County Wexford, Ireland, where a TikTok video purported to show someone dressed as the Cat in the Hat chasing a woman. An Garda Síochána in Wexford, Ireland’s national police service, later debunked the video in a Facebook post.
Reports of the figure quickly spread to neighboring Irish counties and throughout the United Kingdom.
In Mississippi, social media posts depicting the “Cat-in-the-Hat Killer” in the Lamar County School District prompted investigations Sept. 3.
That same day, an Oxford student was arrested after allegedly making similar posts targeting an Oxford-area middle school.
Authorities had not identified any credible threats in Mississippi connected to the trend as of Sept. 3, according to WLOX.
About “What Is True?”
The RHCJC “What Is True?” team of graduate investigators examines everything from viral online posts to local community rumors. If you have a question, submit it to the “What Is True?” inquiry form, call 855-IS-IT-TRU (855-474-8878) or text 601-266-TRUE (601-266-8783).
This article first appeared on RHCJC and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
