Fact Check: Did Diddy write a book called The Adrenochrome Witch? Viral QAnon conspiracy theory debunked

Screenshots of a book listing by music magnate Sean "Diddy" Combs on Barnes & Noble have gone viral on the internet, claiming that he wrote a book titled The Adrenochrome Witch. This has fueled viral conspiracy theories like Pizzagate and QAnon.

Adrenochrome is a chemical compound produced by the oxidation of adrenaline and has been the subject of several far-right conspiracy theories over the years. These theories allege that adrenochrome is used in satanic practices and harvested from the blood of children after murdering them. Additionally, it is often linked to the notion of youthfulness, often calling it the "elixir of youth."

On September 25, a now-deleted Instagram post displayed an image of the hip-hop tycoon alongside the text "The Adrenochrome Witch by Sean Diddy Combs." However, Sean "Diddy" Combs never wrote a book titled The Adrenochrome Witch, and no such book exists. Also, the Instagram post was flagged by Meta as part of its policy to combat false information on the platform.

In a report published by Politifact on October 3, 2024, representatives claimed to have contacted Barnes & Noble to get to the root of the issue. Barnes & Noble confirmed that the book was not authentic and they had never listed it on their website.

However, Politifact found a listing of the book on Barnes & Noble's "Nook for Web" site, that allows readers to read e-books and their samples on their computer. The page showed the listing titled The Adrenochrome Witch by Diddy.

Upon inquiry, representatives from Barnes & Noble clarified to Politifact:

"This is an archived sample page that was taken down in July 2020 when it was deemed to be fake. There is no link to the actual ‘book’ or a link where a copy can be bought."

If a book on such a controversial topic were published by a high-profile music magnate like Sean Combs, it would likely have attracted public attention with legitimate listings on online and offline marketplaces. However, no such things ever existed because the claims were false.

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Why was Diddy arrested?

Sean Combs Mugshot (Photo courtesy Bureau of Prisons/Getty Images)

Diddy was arrested on September 16, 2024, on three charges of s*x trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution. The hip-hop mogul is currently awaiting trial at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center.

According to the charges filed by prosecutors, the music magnate allegedly abused several men and women by coercing them into performing s*xual acts to "fulfill his s*xual desires." These encounters were allegedly termed "freak-offs."

His alleged crimes began to surface when the rapper's former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, filed a lawsuit against him in November 2023. Ventura accused the hip-hop tycoon of s*xual assault, abuse, and r*pe during their relationship between 2007 and 2018.

According to the lawsuit, the music magnate allegedly forced Cassie into a "drug-fueled lifestyle" when he got into a relationship with her in 2007. The alleged abuse ended in her reportedly getting r*ped at Diddy's Los Angeles home in 2018.

In May 2024, CNN released video footage purportedly showing Diddy physically abusing Cassie Ventura in the lobby of a luxury hotel in Los Angeles. In the coming few months, several big names in the industry came forward to share their experiences of alleged physical and s*xual abuse at the hands of Combs.

In March 2024, federal agents raided his mansions in Los Angeles as part of their investigation. Reportedly, a huge amount of baby oil, lube, drugs, and ammunition were excavated from his properties.

As of now, Diddy is awaiting his next trial, scheduled for October 9, after being denied bail twice by U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky and Judge Andrew L. Carter, respectively.