Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres has frequently found herself at the centre of online speculation over the years. However, amid renewed attention surrounding the Epstein files, a fresh wave of bizarre conspiracy theories about the 68-year-old has recently circulated online — despite having no factual basis.
The controversy began when social media users falsely claimed that documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein referenced DeGeneres as a “prolific cannibal.” The allegation quickly spread across digital platforms, even though no such claim exists in the released materials. Subsequent searches and reviews of the files have confirmed that they contain no evidence of any personal or professional relationship between Epstein and DeGeneres.
After the initial claim was debunked, the conspiracy narrative evolved into an even more sensational theory. A widely shared article from a site known for publishing fabricated content alleged that DeGeneres had been involved in cannibalism and went as far as suggesting she had consumed her late former partner, actor Anne Heche. These claims originated from The People’s Voice, a website that has previously been identified as a source of misinformation.
Despite the dramatic nature of these allegations, they have been repeatedly dismissed by credible fact-checking organisations. A detailed review conducted by Snopes found no reference within the Epstein-related documents that supports any of the circulating claims about DeGeneres. Their analysis revealed that her name appeared only in indirect contexts, such as promotional materials or forwarded media references.
For instance, one email reportedly contained a copy of a graduation speech delivered by DeGeneres, while another referenced an Apple News newsletter featuring an article about her. A separate mention came from an email sent by Hollywood publicist Peggy Siegal, who noted seeing DeGeneres on St. Barts, a Caribbean island near St. Martin. None of these mentions suggested any form of personal interaction or association with Epstein.
Parallel to the conspiracy claims, some misinformation also attempted to link DeGeneres to the tragic death of Anne Heche. Heche, who had previously been in a relationship with DeGeneres, died following a car accident in Los Angeles in August 2022. According to official reports, her Mini Cooper crashed into a garage in the Mar Vista neighbourhood and caught fire, leading to severe smoke inhalation and burn injuries.
Medical professionals later confirmed that Heche had suffered irreversible brain damage. She was declared brain-dead on August 11, 2022, under California law and remained on life support temporarily to facilitate organ donation. She was officially pronounced dead on August 14, 2022. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner ruled her death an accident caused by smoke inhalation and thermal injuries sustained during the crash.
Importantly, there has never been any credible evidence linking DeGeneres to the circumstances surrounding Heche’s passing. Nonetheless, conspiracy-driven narratives have attempted to merge unrelated events into sensationalised stories designed to provoke outrage and curiosity online.
The episode highlights the rapid spread of misinformation in the digital age, where unverified claims can gain traction despite repeated debunking. In this case, fact-checkers and official documentation consistently reinforce the same conclusion: the Epstein files contain no incriminating references to Ellen DeGeneres, and the allegations circulating online are entirely unfounded.
As discussions around public figures and high-profile investigations continue, the situation serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying claims through credible sources rather than relying on viral narratives that lack substantiation.