According to various rumors and reports circulating online, Filipina actress Claudine Barretto was reported dead from a drug overdose. However, the reports appear to be part of a death hoax and the rumors have been confirmed as untrue.

The family's matriarch, Inday Barretto, defended her youngest daughter and told media that Claudine is very much "alive and kicking." 

The Barrettos are currently in the midst of a legal battle over exacerbated family issues that also involved an annulment and child custody issues against Claudine's husband.

The rumored death of the 34-year-old actress coincided with the peak of the actress' family feud.

The death hoax rumors started circulating on a rogue website that uses a web design similar to other big local television networks, such as ABS-CBN.  According to the pseudo death report, Claudine died due to a drug overdose.

Meanwhile, the Barretto actress is facing claims of severe drug use that has affected her overall well being, according to Claudine's own siblings.  According to Gretchen Barretto, the only way that they can resolve their familial dispute is when they "fix" Claudine.  Inday and their father, Miguel Barretto, denied the allegations, and appealed to their other children to "leave them alone."

In Claudine's case against her husband, the former child actress claims that their wedding some six years ago was a fake.  It is alleged that Raymart Santiago falsified reports to win custody over their children, Sabina and Santino.

When asked whether he still has feelings for his estranged wife, Santiago said that he is only moving forward for the sake of his kids.