Ozzy Osbourne's demise at 76 sparks unfounded theories about cause of death
From the COVID-19 vaccine to assisted suicide and drug abuse, social media users claimed to know the cause of the Black Sabbath singer's death
CLAIM: Social media users are claiming to know Ozzy Osbourne's cause of death. Their theories are ranging from assisted suicide to the COVID-19 vaccine.
BACKGROUND: Ozzy Osbourne, world-renowned musician and frontman of the Black Sabbath, died at the age of 76 on the morning of July 22, 2025. His family released a statement announcing his death later that day, but did not disclose the cause of death.
METHOD: Osbourne's cause of death was not revealed by any official source. Social media users' speculations on the matter were not backed up by any evidence.
RATING: Although Osbourne had several illnesses throughout his life, including a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis in 2019, and a past of drug and alcohol abuse, his cause of death had not been confirmed as of July 23.
Ozzy Osbourne, frontman of the popular heavy metal band Black Sabbath, died at the age of 76 on the morning of July 22, 2025.
His family announced his death in a statement on the rockstar's social media profiles, reading: "It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time." The announcement was signed by his wife and children.
The statement did not reveal the musician's cause of death, which remained undisclosed as of July 23. Osbourne suffered from several health issues throughout his life; he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019, and he had a history of drug and alcohol abuse.
Despite the lack of information surrounding his death in the hours following the announcement, social media users from all over the world immediately started speculating about the circumstances.
TikTok and X users advanced several theories: while some suggested he passed away because of Parkinson’s complications, others became more creative. Some videos circulating on the matter appeared to have been entirely AI-generated or to have an AI voiceover.
Assisted suicide in Switzerland
On the evening of July 22, TikTok user @thepyramidexperiments published a video claiming that his family “took him to Switzerland and did the old euthanasia thing". The user went on to say: “It's not been officially reported yet, but you heard it here first.” The video garnered over 214,000 views in the first 12 hours after its publication.
Similar claims also circulated on X, where user @DNDMLunga wrote, "This was 100% medical aid in dying. He was rich and had the means to do it quietly and with his family."
However, a family spokesperson confirmed to the BBC that the musician died in the UK. There is no evidence that indicates assisted dying, which is illegal in the UK.
COVID-19 vaccine side effects
In what has now become a common occurrence after the death of a celebrity, social media users also suggested that Osbourne died of side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine.
On the evening of July 22, X account @DiedSuddenly_, which often spreads conspiracy theories surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccines, published a post claiming that the Black Sabbath singer "has died suddenly after years of illness which mysteriously started after getting vaccinated," and stated that he suffered from blood clots.
Within a few hours, the post had racked up over 380,000 views and a Community Note was added to the post, explaining that the rockstar suffered from blood clots before getting vaccinated against COVID-19. His treatment for blood clots was described in this article from 2019.
The same claim was shared by Alex Jones, a well-known U.S. conspiracy theorist and disinformation actor, reaching another 720,000 viewers.
Drug overdose
Multiple commenters on X also suggested the musician's death was caused by a drug overdose. Osbourne had a renowned history of drug and alcohol abuse since the 1970s. The musician openly talked about his addictions in multiple interviews.
X user @LoveIrreverence wrote on July 23, “Ozzy died from extreme drug abuse...there was a delayed effect, but believe me.”
The claim is baseless and there was no confirmation that an autopsy had been carried out—or even requested—as of the day after his death.
Simpsons predictions and other diseases
Other posts on social media suggested another variety of possibilities, including lung and heart diseases.
A TikTok video also suggested that The Simpsons had predicted Osbourne's death in a Season 16 episode aired in 2005. While Osbourne has been referenced in some The Simpsons episodes, including in “Behind the Laughter” (season 11, episode 22), there is no record of any episodes during which the rockstar died. Similar videos showing a celebrity Simpsons character in a coffin have been shared around after the deaths of other public figures.
While no official cause of death was released as of the day after Ozzy Osbourne’s demise, that didn’t stop the widespread speculation that flooded social media platforms in a bid to rack up engagement. So far, any speculation about the rockstar’s death remain unproven, and trusted news sources are likely to pick up the story when more official details are released.
SOURCES
X (formerly Twitter). (2025). Available at: Singer Ozzy Osbourne has died suddenly after years of illness which mysteriously started after getting vaccinated… [Accessed 23 Jul. 2025].
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Tiktok.com. (2025). TikTok - Make Your Day. [online] Available at: Revelado a causa da morte de ozzy osbourne... [Accessed 23 Jul. 2025].
Tiktok.com. (2025). TikTok - Make Your Day. [online] Available at: Why was Ozzy Osbourne constantly looking... [Accessed 23 Jul. 2025].
X (formerly Twitter). (2025). Available at: Ozzy died from extreme drug abuse...there was a delayed effect, but believe me. [Accessed 23 Jul. 2025].
Instagram. (2020). [online] Available at: It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne… [Accessed 23 Jul. 2025].
X (formerly Twitter). (2025). Available at: The iconic Ozzy Osbourne has died suddenly after years of illness which mysteriously started after getting vaccinated… [Accessed 23 Jul. 2025].
X (formerly Twitter). (2025). Available at: This was 100% medical aid in dying. He was rich and had the means… [Accessed 23 Jul. 2025].
NHS (2023). Euthanasia and assisted suicide. [online] nhs.uk. [Accessed 23 Jul. 2025].
Savage, M. (2025). Available at: Black Sabbath’s Ozzy Osbourne dies, weeks after farewell show. [online] Bbc.com [Accessed 23 Jul. 2025].
Malkin, M. (2021). Available at: Ozzy, Sharon and Jack Osbourne on Addiction and Recovery. [online] Variety. [Accessed 23 Jul. 2025].
Blistein, J. (2013). Available at: Ozzy Osbourne Apologizes for Alcohol, Drug Use Over Past 18 Months. [online] Rolling Stone. [Accessed 23 Jul. 2025].
O'Connor, R. (2019). Ozzy Osbourne says neck surgery caused agony ‘beyond anything I’ve experienced in my life’ | The Independent. [online] [Accessed 23 Jul. 2025].