'Real Killer' Surfaces in Morgan Freeman Death Hoax--And It Wasn't CNN After All E! Online

CNN says it was not the source for an Internet rumor that circulated Thursday saying that Oscar winner Morgan Freeman was dead, reports E! Online.

Internet tweets and posts began appearing at about 5 p.m. ET that said CNN had reported that Freeman, 73, was dead.

Someone tweeted this message, according to the story: "RT @CNN: Breaking News: actor Morgan Freeman has passed away in his Burbank home<< wow legendary actor #RIPmorganfreeman." However, it was not true.

The cable network immediately denied the story, via Twitter. "CNN did not report Morgan Freeman death. Rumor is false. CNN will aggressively investigate this hoax."

The original tweeter, identified in the story as C.J. Wiley, apparently felt some remorse over the incident, later writing, “It was a joke that got too out of hand,” and adding, “I’m a huge fan of Morgan Freeman and I wish him the best in all future endeavors.”

The story points out that other celebrities--including Jeff Goldblum, Miley Cyrus, Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks--have also been prematurely “killed” on the Internet.