Content Warning: This article discusses sexual assault, rape, and suicide. If you or someone you know are affected by the following story, you are not alone. To speak to someone, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732.

Chicago police have been called to R. Kelly’s home following a false call claiming that the four women he lives with had taken part in a mass suicide.

Over the last few months, barely a day has gone by where R. Kelly’s name has been absent from the headlines. Following months of allegations of sexual and emotional abuse against the artist, it was recently revealed he had been formally charged with ten counts of criminal sex abuse.

Currently facing face up to 70 years in prison if convicted, these charges relate to Kelly’s sexual interactions with victims aged between 13 and 16, with the first records of his alleged abuse commencing in 1996.

Additionally, Kelly has also previously been hit with allegations that he is holding women against their will in an abusive “cult”, to the point where police raided his Chicago home to investigate the claim.

Now, as TMZ reports, R. Kelly has been the victim of a tasteless hoax, with police being called to his residence at Trump Tower over reports that individuals inside were threatening a mass suicide.

TMZ explains that an “anonymous caller claimed Azriel Clary and 4 other women who were alleged victims had a suicide pact and were planning on carrying it out.”

After investigating the matter, the Chicago Police department took to Twitter to explain that “18th district officers responded and this call is unfounded.”

18th district officers responded and this call is unfounded. https://t.co/nJnyLEbRNf — Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) March 12, 2019

TMZ also noted that the call in question came from the National Human Trafficking Hotline, and explained that R. Kelly had been meeting with his lawyers at his home in the time leading up to the wellness check by local police.

While it’s not clear who exactly made the call, it appears as though this may have been a drastic attempt by an unknown individual to see the women who live with Kelly removed from the premises.

This incident comes just days after R. Kelly publicly addressed all the allegations against him, speaking to Gayle King of CBS This Morning for an interview which has seen been viewed by fans and critics of the artist the world over.

“Stop it,” Kelly pleaded during the interview. “You all quit playing! Quit playing! I didn’t do this stuff! This is not me! I’m fighting for my fucking life!”

If you or somebody you care for needs help or information about depression, suicide, anxiety, or mental health issues, contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.