Who is Jessica Radcliffe? The ‘23-year-old trainer’ from the viral orca attack video

Over the past week, a short video has been popping up across TikTok and Facebook, with claims that it shows a young marine trainer killed by an orca. The posts name her as Jessica Radcliffe and spins a dramatic story around the footage, which has been enough to get people talking.

Some viewers take it at face value, but plenty of others are doubtful. And when you dig into the details, the story being told online doesn’t quite match the facts.What social media saysAccording to a report by the Economic Times, the viral video alleges that 23-year-old Jessica Radcliffe was in the middle of a performance with an orca when the animal suddenly turned on her. Posts claim she was pulled from the water but passed away soon after.

Some even go as far as to make an unverified claim that the attack was triggered by “menstrual blood mixing with the water.”

What’s missing, however, are the basics– there’s no mention of where or when this supposed incident took place, nor is there any confirmation from official sources.No official confirmation or news coverageA search through reliable news archives turns up nothing to support the claim. There are no reports from reputable media outlets, no statements from marine parks, no workplace safety alerts, and no public obituaries mentioning Jessica Radcliffe or any fatal orca attack fitting this description.

As per media reports by the Hindustan Times and the Economic Times, fact-checking sites, including Vocal Media and The Star (Kenya), have also pointed out that the audio in the viral clip appears to be AI-generated– a strong sign that the video is staged rather than real.The missing identity of Jessica RadcliffeAs per media sources, checks into the background of “Jessica Radcliffe” have turned up nothing– no professional records, no listings as a marine trainer, and no social media presence tied to the name.

This lack of traceable information points to the possibility that the identity was simply invented to fuel the viral story.Orcas and the myths they carryOrcas, better known as killer whales, often get a fearsome image thanks to movies, documentaries, and dramatic viral posts– but much of it is overstated or simply false. While there have been cases involving humans in the past, they are not very common.In marine parks, these animals usually work with their trainers every day without trouble.

Spreading made-up stories only adds to the unfair stigma around orcas and takes attention away from the real issues– like their conservation and the need to protect their natural habitats.The need to fact-check before hitting ‘share’Viral content often spreads because it’s designed to shock, and when striking visuals are added, it becomes easy for made-up stories to pass as truth. But sharing such posts without checking facts can mislead people, harm reputations, and create needless fear. A quick check with trusted news sources before hitting ‘share’ can help prevent false claims from gaining traction and keep conversations online focused on facts instead of fabricated drama.Disclaimer: The Times of India has not independently verified the claims or content mentioned in this article and does not endorse or confirm any of the information. All details are based on viral videos, user comments, and online reports available at the time of writing.Thumb image credits: X