University of Mississippi college student Mary Kate Cornett and her father are speaking out amid viral rumors accusing her of inappropriate behavior in her personal life.
This week, Cornett was the center of unsubstantiated speculation that spread widely online. She denies the speculation as “categorically false.”
In a statement on Facebook Thursday, Feb. 27, Cornett’s father Justin Cornett called the “defamatory cyber attack,” “categorically false, malicious,” and “organized.”
“She has been publicly doxed and our family has been forced to take protective measures to ensure her safety,” he wrote.
Justin added that he filed police reports with Oxford, Miss., the University of Mississippi campus police and the FBI. They are also working with forensic experts to “find the perpetrators.”
A spokesperson with the Oxford Police Department confirmed to PEOPLE that there is an open investigation into the incident but declined to comment further.
Mary Kate Cornett.
Justin Cornett
“At this stage, we suspect this is some sort of fraternity prank that has mushroomed out of control,” Justin continued in his statement. “I refuse to let my family be targeted and am fully committed to pursuing all criminal and civil actions available. To those responsible, we will find you.”
He acknowledged his family’s privilege and means to fight the accusations against his daughter. However, they started a GoFundMe for the “less fortunate” who are targets of cyber crimes and need help defending themselves. He vowed that 100% of the proceeds will go to other alleged victims.
“Somehow, someway, we will find a way to turn this unfortunate situation into a positive outcome for future victims like my daughter,” he concluded.
Mary Kate’s statement was also included in Justin’s Facebook post. The Kappa Delta Sorority member said she is the “victim of a deliberate and coordinated cyberattack,” which includes, “partially and wholly edited screenshots, fake AI generated videos and manipulated photographs” that “have been promoted by irresponsible social media participants and amplified by thousands of fake accounts.”
She called out sports influencers and famous athletes with connections to Barstool Sports, former NFL player Antonio Brown and ESPN’s College Game Day host Pat McAfee for posting about the rumors.
Barstool’s Kevin “KFC” Clancy reportedly mentioned the rumors on social media, New York Post reported, citing TMZ. Brown also mentioned the viral speculation online while McAfee talked about them on The Pat McAfee Show.
ESPN declined to comment.
Mary Kate Cornett.
Justin Cornett
Barstool founder Dave Portnoy denied the claims against the sports media company. He said in a statement to The Post: “Barstool Sports did not mention or spread this rumor on any of our Barstool owned channels as far as I know.”
He added, “Our editors instinctively made the decision to avoid this story as it seemed there was a high likelihood it could have been fabricated. If I’m wrong about that I’m happy to see where it was posted and revisit.”
He said of Clancy’s video, “We do not control our employees’ personal socials. Whatever they post on their own is their own stuff.”
Mary Kate said in her statement that she was never contacted about the rumor, but instead, her personal information has been legally shared and spread online.
“I have received thousands of harassing calls and texts of a sick and demented nature, some of which suggest I even take my own life,” Mary Kate continued.
Since the rumor spread, Mary Kate became a top trending topic on X in the U.S., and her name and likeness were used to create a meme coin without her consent, she said, later reiterating her father’s comments that they are exploring their legal options.
“My heart breaks for the victims of defamatory cyber attacks and public doxing like this. The pain and heartbreak is immense,” she continued in part, adding: “Ultimately, I have confidence we will get through this and ask for any and all support while our family and others affected slowly heal. I pray for the strength and courage to use this unwanted attention as a platform to help others whose lives have been turned upside down in similar circumstances.”
Her boyfriend, Evan Solis, defended her in an Instagram post, writing, “The accusations are unequivocally false.”
“Please know that spreading outrageous accusations with no regard to veracity is as inexcusable as starting the rumor itself. What we say and believe have real consequences for others,” he added. “I pray we can use this painful moment to learn and grow going forward.”
