No, Garth Brooks did not kill anyone. This is a false and baseless rumor that has been circulating on the internet for years.
It originated from a joke made by comedian Tom Segura, who claimed that Brooks was a murderer and a serial killer.
However, there is no evidence to support this accusation, and Brooks himself has denied it.
In this article, we will explore the origin and evolution of this conspiracy theory, and why some people still believe it.
The Garth Brooks Murderer Conspiracy
How Did It Start?
The rumor that Garth Brooks killed someone started in 2016 when comedian Tom Segura released his Netflix special Mostly Stories. In one of his jokes, he said that he was obsessed with Brooks’ social media posts and that he suspected that Brooks was hiding a dark secret. He said:
“I’m telling you right now, I’m calling it: He’s killed people. He’s killed people. And I’m not talking about one person. I’m talking about a lot of people. He’s a serial killer. He’s a murderer.”
Segura then proceeded to mock Brooks’ videos, where he would talk to his fans in a friendly and enthusiastic manner. Segura implied that Brooks was acting fake and creepy and that he was trying to cover up his crimes.
False Claims and Rumors
Segura’s joke was meant to be humorous and absurd, but some people took it seriously and started spreading it online. Some claimed that Brooks was involved in several missing person cases and that he had a secret basement where he kept his victims. Others speculated that Brooks had a split personality and that he would kill people when he assumed his alter ego Chris Gaines, a fictional rock star that he created in 1999 for an album and a movie project.
Some of these claims were based on distorted facts or coincidences. For example, some pointed out that Brooks’ first wife Sandy Mahl filed for divorce in 2000, shortly after he released the Chris Gaines album. They suggested that she discovered his murderous activities and decided to leave him. However, there is no evidence to support this theory, and Brooks and Mahl have remained on good terms after their divorce.
Another example is the case of Teresa Halbach, a photographer who went missing in 2005 and whose murder was featured in the Netflix documentary series Making a Murderer. Some claimed that Brooks was somehow connected to her disappearance, because he performed at the Green Bay Packers stadium in Wisconsin on October 29, 2005, which was the same day that Halbach was last seen alive. However, this is a mere coincidence, and there is no proof that Brooks had anything to do with Halbach or her killer.
Lack of Evidence
No Proof of Involvement in Missing Person Cases
The main problem with the rumor that Garth Brooks killed someone is that there is no evidence to back it up. There are no records of any criminal charges or investigations against him, and no witnesses or victims have come forward to accuse him. There are also no traces of any physical or forensic evidence linking him to any crime scenes or bodies.
Moreover, Brooks has a very busy and public schedule as one of the most successful and popular country music artists of all time. He has sold over 170 million records worldwide, won numerous awards, performed hundreds of concerts, and appeared on many TV shows and movies. It would be very difficult for him to commit multiple murders without being noticed or caught by anyone.
Not a Serial Killer
Another problem with the rumor is that it does not fit the profile or behavior of a typical serial killer. According to the FBI, a serial killer is someone who kills two or more victims in separate events over a period of time. Serial killers usually have a specific motive, method, or pattern for their killings, and they often target certain types of victims based on their gender, age, race, occupation, or location.
However, there is no indication that Garth Brooks has any of these characteristics or tendencies. He does not seem to have any psychological issues or traumas that would drive him to kill people. He does not appear to have any hatred or resentment towards any particular group or individual. He does not have any signature or ritual for his alleged killings. And he does not seem to have any preference or criteria for his supposed victims.
Tom Segura’s Joke
Origin of the Joke
The origin of the joke that Garth Brooks killed someone can be traced back to Tom Segura’s personal fascination with Brooks’ social media presence. Segura said that he started following Brooks on Facebook in 2014 when Brooks announced his comeback after a hiatus from music. Segura said that he found Brooks’ videos amusing and intriguing, because they seemed to be very scripted and rehearsed, and because Brooks would often say things that did not make sense or were out of context.
Segura said that he decided to make a joke about Brooks being a murderer as a way of expressing his curiosity and confusion about Brooks’ personality and intentions. He said that he did not mean to offend or harm Brooks and that he was just trying to make people laugh. He said:
“I’m not trying to ruin his life. I’m just trying to make a joke. And I think it’s funny. And I think it’s funny because it’s so ridiculous. It’s so absurd. It’s so outlandish.”
Brooks’ Reaction
Garth Brooks has not publicly commented on Tom Segura’s joke or the rumor that he killed someone. However, he has indirectly addressed it in some of his videos and interviews. For example, in 2017, he posted a video on Facebook where he thanked his fans for their support and love, and said that he was grateful for his life and career. He also said:
“I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve this kind of love, but I’m going to spend the rest of my life trying to live up to it.”
Some interpreted this as a subtle response to Segura’s joke and as a way of denying any involvement in any crimes.
In 2019, Brooks appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, where he talked about his legacy and his relationship with his fans. He also said:
“I just want people to remember me as a good guy. That’s all I want.”
Some saw this as another indirect reference to Segura’s joke and as a way of reaffirming his innocence and integrity.
The Internet’s Reaction
Belief in the Conspiracy
Despite the lack of evidence and the absurdity of the rumor, some people still believe that Garth Brooks killed someone. They continue to spread the conspiracy theory online, especially on social media platforms such as Twitter, Reddit, YouTube, and TikTok. They use hashtags such as #GarthBrooksMurderer, #GarthBrooksIsAKiller, #GarthBrooksDidIt, and #GarthBrooksConfess. They also create memes, videos, podcasts, and articles that support their claims or mock Brooks’ videos.
Some of the reasons why some people believe in the conspiracy are:
- They are fans of Tom Segura and find his jokes funny and entertaining.
- They are not fans of Garth Brooks and dislike his music or personality.
- They are bored or curious and enjoy exploring bizarre or controversial topics.
- They are gullible or naive and do not question the validity or source of the information they receive.
- They are cynical or paranoid and do not trust celebrities or authorities.
Understanding the Obsession
The rumor that Garth Brooks killed someone is an example of how the internet can create and amplify false or misleading information, and how some people can become obsessed with it. It is also an example of how humor can be misinterpreted or taken out of context, and how it can have unintended consequences.
However, it is important to understand that this rumor is not based on any facts or evidence and that it is not a serious accusation or threat against Garth Brooks. It is just a joke that went viral, and that some people took too far.
Garth Brooks is not a murderer or a serial killer. He is a country music legend who has millions of fans around the world who love him for his songs and his charisma. He is also a human being who deserves respect and dignity.
Therefore, the best way to deal with this rumor is to ignore it or laugh at it, but not to believe it or spread it.
