The Truth About the “Tea Bag Killer” in Detroit? Misinformation Gone Viral!

With all the TikToks, AI deepfakes, and nonstop social media drama, it doesn’t take much to spark mass panic online. One of the latest internet-fueled hoaxes? A chilling rumor about a serial killer in Detroit being dubbed the “Tea Bag Killer.” Sounds terrifying—but let’s be clear: it’s 100% fake.

Here’s what really happened—and why you should always fact-check your news before you share it.

The Viral Rumor: A Killer Targeting Women Using the Tea App?

It all started with a viral post claiming that several Black women in Detroit were found murdered with tea bags stuffed in their mouths. The post linked the crimes to a supposed serial killer who was allegedly targeting women who used the Tea app, a controversial platform where women anonymously rate and discuss men.

To make the story feel legit, the rumor included a fake detective’s name—“Detective Jerome Halston”—and even circulated an AI-generated deepfake video that looked like a real news report.

The Facts

Detroit Police Say It’s Completely False

Detroit police were quick to shut the entire thing down. According to a statement made by the department:

“There is no serial killer targeting women in Detroit. There have been no such homicides reported and no evidence linking anything to the Tea app. The individual named as a detective in these posts does not exist.”

Police confirmed that the video circulating was not from any credible news outlet and was likely created using AI tools to mimic the look of a real news segment.

But What Is the Tea App?

The Tea App was designed to be a “safe space” for women to warn others about toxic or dangerous men. Think Yelp—but for dating horror stories. While the app made headlines for its concept, it also faced criticism and backlash.

Then came a real data breach: over 72,000 user-uploaded images and more than 13,000 government ID verification photos were leaked in a massive privacy violation. That actually did happen, and it fueled conspiracy theories and fake stories—including this so-called “Tea Bag Killer.”

Why Do People Fall for These Stories?

• Fear sells. Sensational, scary stories spread like wildfire.

• AI makes faking news easier than ever. With deepfakes and ChatGPT, anyone can manufacture a convincing narrative.

• Confirmation bias. Some users were already skeptical of the Tea App and were ready to believe the worst.

The Bottom Line: There Is NO “Tea Bag Killer”

Let’s be real: this is internet hysteria at its worst. There is no serial killer, no murdered women with tea bags in their mouths, and no police detective named Jerome Halston. Just a disturbing example of how fast misinformation spreads—and how easy it is to get caught up in it.

Think Before You Share

Before hitting that “share” button on a scary story

• Fact-check with trusted news sources.

• Look for police or official statements.

• Be cautious of AI-generated “news reports.”

Detroit is not under siege from a tea-related serial killer. But misinformation? That’s the real danger we need to talk about.

Sources: Detroit Metro Times, FOX 2 Detroit, official Detroit Police Department statements