News Summary
Mary Kate Cornett, a student at the University of Mississippi, faces a severe online harassment campaign due to false rumors about her personal life. The allegations, which have no basis in truth, were amplified by major social media accounts and have drastically affected her well-being. Cornett and her family are pursuing legal action and have initiated a GoFundMe to support victims of online harassment, highlighting the critical need for accountability and awareness in the face of harmful misinformation.
Oxford, Mississippi – Mary Kate Cornett, a student at the University of Mississippi and member of the Kappa Delta Sorority, has become a victim of a pervasive and coordinated online harassment campaign that began with false rumors of an affair with her boyfriend’s father. The situation escalated after anonymous social media accounts on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok began spreading these unfounded allegations.
The rumors gained traction rapidly, fueled by verified accounts on X that shared the story without verifying its accuracy. As a result, Cornett’s name trended widely on the platform, bringing additional unwanted attention. Cornett has described this incident as a “deliberate and coordinated cyberattack” aimed at discrediting her character through the dissemination of lies and malicious misinformation.
As part of the harassment, Cornett has reported the circulation of manipulated images, fake AI-generated videos, and edited screenshots, all intended to exacerbate the situation. The harassment has led to her personal contact information being doxxed, resulting in a flood of threatening messages. Some of these messages have contained suggestions of self-harm, contributing to the distressing impact on her mental well-being.
The consequences of the rumors extend beyond social media, with individuals from major sports media platforms, including ESPN’s Pat McAfee and Barstool Sports’ Kevin Clancy, amplifying the allegations. This amplification has drawn Cornett’s criticism, as it underscores the irresponsibility of spreading unverified claims that can have devastating consequences for those involved.
In response to the situation, Cornett’s father, Justin Cornett, has labeled the allegations as “categorically false, malicious, organized and defamatory,” and suggested that the rumors may have originated from a fraternity prank. The Cornett family has taken action by filing police reports with local law enforcement, the University of Mississippi campus police, and the FBI to address the cyber harassment.
Additionally, the Cornett family is pursuing potential legal action against those found responsible for orchestrating the harassment. Amid these efforts, they have set up a GoFundMe page to create a foundation aimed at supporting victims of online harassment, hoping to raise awareness and provide assistance to others facing similar predicaments.
Despite the lack of credibility surrounding the allegations, the impact on Cornett’s life has been profound, affecting both her personal day-to-day existence and her academic pursuits at the university. Barstool Sports owner Dave Portnoy has denied involvement in spreading the rumors but acknowledged that an employee may have shared the story on personal social media, indicating a potential lack of accountability in verifying such serious claims.
In defense of Cornett, her boyfriend, Evan Solis, has publicly emphasized the falsehood of the accusations and the dire consequences that arise from the irresponsible dissemination of rumors. Solis highlighted the need for caution when discussing potentially damaging information that can irreparably harm lives.
The Oxford Police Department has confirmed that an investigation into the matter is ongoing but has not provided additional details regarding its progress or findings. The Cornett family’s situation parallels other notable cases of online harassment that have led to tragic outcomes, raising alarming concerns about the far-reaching impact of unfounded rumors and the toxic culture surrounding online abuse, particularly against vulnerable individuals.
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Additional Resources
- Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss Student’s Family Files Police Report
- Glamour: Mary Kate Cornett Targeted by Cyberattack
- People: Mary Kate Cornett’s Family Outraged by False Rumors
- New York Post: Ole Miss Student Breaks Silence on Claims
- Rolling Stone: Ole Miss Student’s Statement on Incident
- Wikipedia: Online Harassment
- Google Search: Mary Kate Cornett Cyberattack
- Google Scholar: Mary Kate Cornett Harassment
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Cyberbullying
- Google News: Mary Kate Cornett
