‘Deaths in threes’ theory goes viral as fans mourn recent celebrity deaths

The 'deaths in threes' theory has resurfaced once again as fans across the world mourn the recent celebrity deaths that have made headlines this week.

In just one week, we've seen the likes of Black Sabbath star Ozzy Osbourne, wrestler Hulk Hogan and Cosby Show actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner all pass away.

While the cause of Osbourne's death on Tuesday (22 July) is still unconfirmed, Clearwater Public Safety Department told NBC that fire and police departments were called to Hogan's home on Thursday (24 July) following a report of a cardiac arrest.

Warner was swimming with his eight-year-old daughter on Sunday (20 July) when he tragically drowned. Thankfully his child was rescued by a bystander.

As tributes flood social media for the trio of late celebrities, so has the theory with many taking to X to share their speculation.

Ozzy Osbourne passed away aged 76 on Tuesday (22 July) (Scott Dudelson / Contributor / Getty Images)

One X user penned: "They Say Death Comes In 3s. Rip: Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner). Rip: Ozzy Osborne. Rip: Hulk Hogan."

"What the ek is happening this week??? They say it comes in 3s.. Malcolm, Ozzy and now Hulk. 3 of our childhood legends. Rip man," lamented a second.

A third chimed in: "The 'celebrity death in threes' theory really did strike again with Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Ozzy Osbourne and now Hulk Hogan."

Another said: "Just yesterday I was thinking about how death comes in threes and how some other celebrity was gonna wind up dead any day now. S**t crazy."

American professional wrestler Hulk Hogan died aged 71 on Thursday (24 July) (Paul Kane / Stringer / Getty Images)

Now, despite the internet getting sent into a right spiral over the alleged 'curse', theory, conspiracy - whatever you want to call it - it's important to note that, on average, approximately 150,000 people die each day worldwide from various causes, according to Consensus.

Given such a number, it makes it only inevitable for a few of those thousands upon thousands of deaths to be celebrities.

Interestingly, as well, people keen to peddle such a theory seem to conveniently miss out certain celebrity deaths so that their 'trifecta of deaths' theory weighs up.

Just this week, for example, the likes of Chuck Mangione, the jazz musician whose 'Feels So Good' took the world by storm in the late 1970s, passed away aged 84 on Tuesday (22 July) - same exact day as Osbourne.

Actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner passed away 20 July aged 54 from drowning (Robin Marchant / Contributor / Getty Images)

And that's not the only bizarre theory that's started circling online following this week's news as a truly bizarre Trisha Paytas 'baby theory' has sparked major backlash after going viral following the tragic passing of Osbourne.

In short, it’s essentially a meme that links the deaths of famous people to Trisha’s timely births, with the YouTuber announcing her son Aquaman's birth on the same day that Osbourne passed.

However, the little tot was actually welcomed to the world some 10 days prior (12 July) - so the maths really doesn't add up.