Okay, let’s get the awkward question out of the way first. Yes, John Worboys is still alive. As of today, the man is breathing, eating, and apparently still making headlines. Annoying, right?
But hold on. If you heard a rumor he’d passed away, you’re not crazy. There’s a reason the internet loves to kill off villains. Let’s untangle this mess together, over our imaginary coffee.
The Man, The Myth, The Monster
You might know him as the “black cab rapist.” A terrible nickname, but accurate. Between 2002 and 2008, Worboys drugged and sexually assaulted dozens of women in his London taxi. He was convicted in 2009 and given an indeterminate sentence—basically, “we’ll let you out when we feel like it.” Spoiler: they almost did.
In 2018, a parole board said, “Hey, maybe he’s safe to release.” Cue a national uproar. Victims were furious. The media went bonkers. The government had to step in and change the parole rules. It was a whole thing.
So, yeah. The guy is still alive, sitting in prison while everyone argues about what to do with him. Fun times.
But Didn’t He Die? I Swear I Saw a Meme
You’re not imagining things. Every few months, someone posts a fake news article or a meme saying Worboys died of a heart attack or got shanked in the yard. It’s wishful thinking, honestly. We get it.
Here’s the truth: he’s not dead. He’s still in HMP Frankland, a high-security prison in County Durham. That’s the same prison that held the Yorkshire Ripper. Charming neighborhood.
Why the fake death rumors? Because people hate him. And we love a good “bad guy gets his comeuppance” story. But reality is boring: he’s just… there. Alive. Ugh.
Truth about the sneering Black Cab rapist: Fellow prisoner reveals sick
What’s His Deal Now?
Worboys is 66 now. He’s been inside for over 15 years. In 2026, he was moved to an open prison—a place with fewer fences, more freedom. Cue the outrage again. But after public backlash, he was quickly shipped back to a closed prison.
So today, he’s still locked up. He’s not getting out anytime soon. The parole board is terrified to touch his case again. Talk about hot potato.
And the kicker? He still insists he’s innocent. Sure, Jan. He claims the sex was consensual. Because nothing says “consent” like drugging someone in the back of a cab, right?
Wait, Did He Change His Name?
No. But almost. After his first conviction, he reportedly tried to change his name by deed poll. For what? To hide his identity? To become “John Smith”? We don’t know the details, but the attempt failed. So he’s still John Worboys, forever infamous.
Imagine being so awful that you can’t even change your name to escape. Yikes.
Why Do We Care So Much?
Great question. Because his case broke something in the British justice system. It showed us that even the worst predators might get a second chance we didn’t want them to have. It made us ask: Should some crimes be unforgivable?
Taxi rapist John Worboys pictured for first time in 9 years as two
And let’s be honest—there’s a dark fascination with monsters. We want to know if they’re still breathing, still scheming, still rotting. It’s like checking on a spider you squashed under a glass. Is it dead yet?
Spoiler: the spider is still twitching.
So, To Sum It Up (Because You’ve Got Better Things to Do)
John Worboys is alive. He’s in prison. He’s not getting out soon. The internet will keep killing him off in memes, and we’ll keep falling for it.
Will he ever be released? Who knows. The parole board is scared. The public is angry. And the victims are still healing. That’s the real story—not the man himself, but the people he hurt.
So next time someone whispers, “Did you hear Worboys died?” you can smile and say, “Nope, still breathing. But thanks for the update.” Then change the subject to something happier. Like puppies. Or coffee. Definitely coffee.
Cheers to that.
