Webjohn raymond jack sutton (born 1949) is a professor of sociology at the university of california, santa barbara. [1] sutton specializes in organizations, the sociology of law,. Websometimes, celebs even have to let fans know that they haven't died! Over the past few years, numerous stars have been the subject of death hoaxes and while. Webdeath hoaxes are now so common they've almost become banal. Like plastic bags in the wind, most fail to take flight, but a small number catch an updraft and assume a life of their own. Weba death hoax is a deliberate report of someone's death that is later revealed to be untrue. [1][2][3] in some cases, it might be because the person has intentionally faked death.