Mark McGrath death hoax actually orchestrated by his team to promote his Adult Swim show

It turns out Mark McGrath’s death hoax was his own doing. A press release circulated on Thusday morning claiming the former Sugar Ray frontman had died but it turned out to be a promo for his upcoming show Hot Package.

The release, from PR firm Prismatics, was blasted out to various media outlets, asking that fans “post a Sugar Ray Selfie, holding a packet of sugar over their heart” instead of sending flowers.

Huffington Post reports it was all a strategic promotional tactic for the Adult Swim show, which sees McGarth get killed by a “masked gunman” on the show, NOT in real life.

"On the first episode, Hollywood goes on strike, Mark McGrath gets killed ... and lots more insanity ensues," one email from the firm reads.

The release also said McGrath died “in the arms” of the show’s host, Derrick Beckles.

People reports Hot Package actually hasn’t been in production for months now.

image via Peter West/ACE/INFphoto.com