Fashion blogger’s mom tries to put IS kidnap rumours to rest

LONDON: The mother of Marina Joyce, the fashion blogger who some claimed had been kidnapped by IS, has attempted to put rumours to rest.

Concerned fans should not be worried that the vlogger is involved in a hoax, has been kidnapped or is endangered in some other way, she said yesterday. The statement came as part of a livestreamed video, hosted by fellow vlogger Aaron Currey, that appeared to be an attempt to shut down the furore over Joyce’s videos, which has seen police visit her house and tweets from many of YouTube’s most popular stars.

Cryptic videos posted by the YouTuber initially led to concern her behaviour appeared unusual. And it erupted when one user claimed Joyce had said “help me” in one of the videos.

That quickly led to a theory Joyce had been kidnapped. Proponents pointed to evidence including strange behaviour in other videos and unusual items like guns seen in some videos.

Joyce addressed those claims initially in a live stream of her own. After that came to an unexpected end, she began another video that was structured as an interview.

During that video, Joyce’s mother appeared on camera to address the claims her daughter had been kidnapped or was otherwise unwell.

Joyce’s mother in particular addressed claims her daughter had whispered “help me” in her most recent videos. That was the claim that began much of the speculation.

But Joyce’s mother said what could be heard was actually her saying “like me”, as she attempted to tell her daughter how she should spin around for the video.

In the same livestream she addressed many of the other concerns fans have voiced. She said what appeared to be someone telling her how to act was her and that fingers and pieces of paper that appeared in the video – and became the centre of speculation – were actually just her helping out while making the film.

Joyce’s mother, who has been reported to be called Cheryl, said the bruising had come about because the family bruises easily. “There’s no abusive relationship,” she said.

She also said her daughter did have some strange beliefs – including about temples in Peru – but they were not unlike the sorts of things everyone thinks about when they are young. – The Independent

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Marina Joyce