A report from a dubious website claiming that American professional basketball player Lamar Odom has passed away at Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, is a hoax and should not be taken seriously.

A report published in TMZ Today (not to be confused with TMZ) said that the retired NBA star was dead. "Lamar Odom passed away with his ex-wife, Khloe Kardashian and ex mother in law Kris Jenner at his side," the fake report said. 

The reports seems to be an attempt to gain traction from the buzz around the tragedy, especially as TMZ Today is  not a credible source. And in its own words: TMZ Today is a "satirical news" website and in short, should not be trusted.

The fake report, however, has been shared thousands of times on Twitter and Facebook. On the last count, the article has more than 200,000 likes on Facebook.

The hoax report left a lot of people, including rapper Lil Wayne and NBA star JR Smith, confused. Both put up RIP messages but later deleted them, according to NJ.com.

A RadarOnline report said that the doctors at the Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas has declared Lamar Odom brain-dead.

The basketball player is currently in a medically induced coma after being found unconscious at the Love Ranch brothel in Crystal, Nevada. Sources told the site that Odom has "no brain activity" after taking a deadly cocktail of sex-pills, and cocaine.

The report noted that his vital organs, including his kidneys, are also failing.

Thousands of his fans have been left confused and dazed as little is known of what really happened at the brothel in Crystal, Nevada, where Lamar Odom was found on Tuesday, three days after checking-in, according to CNN.

Odom's estranged wife Khloe Kardashian made her first official comment on the issue and released a joint statement along with Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner and Kylie Jenner on Thursday night, AP reports.

"As a family, we've decided to hold off on publishing content across our apps while we continue to support and pray for Lamar," the statement published on the website of the reality stars read.

"Thank you for your kindness and understanding during this difficult time."

Twitter reactions

Dax HoltVerified account ‏@daxholt 

There is a FAKE TMZ website reporting Lamar Odom is dead. THIS IS NOT TRUE.

The Skins 2-3 ‏@ReezBlackAsShit

If machines are what is keeping Lamar Odom alive then the nigga is dead....idc how u put it

karly steinberg ‏@karlys02

#BREAKING There is a FAKE TMZ website reporting Lamar Odom is dead. THIS IS NOT TRUE..

October 28th ‏@Spencerr_Rain 

Lamar Odom is not dead why do people keep saying RIP

Terry Collins ‏@Mike__Serrano 

TMZ just reported that Lamar Odom is dead, haven't heard or seen anything but if he is RIP To a Queens legend, such a painful story

Wendy ‏@Wendyclairex 

Everyone writing RIP Lamar he's not even dead yet! Hes still fighting for his life