Gene Leonhardt Dead: Father of Jessi Slaughter Dies Aug. 11, 2011

Gene Leonhardt, the father of Jessi Slaughter who became a viral sensation for an online rant, has died. 

Gawker ran a post on the death of Gene Leonhardt on August 11, 2011.

An obituary notice for Gene Leonhardt ran in a West Virginia newspaper. 

A Facebook post from Jessi Slaughter's mother appears to confirm that the death of Gene Leonhardt. The post states he died of a massive heart attack.

Gene Leonhardt and daughter Jessi Slaughter became a viral video sensation when the teenager posted a video of herself crying due to online bullying. Slaughter, whose real name is Jessica Leonhardt, had posted several online videos that seemed to be designed to draw attention to herself. The videos drew the ire of 4chan members and other online communities.

Gene Leonhardt appeared on one of the Jessi Slaughter videos and threatened to report Jessi's tormenters to the "cyberpolice."

"“And if you come near my daughter, guess what, consequences will never be the same," said Leonhardt.

Leonhardt's bizarre rant made him something of an internet sensation, inspiring several remixes.

Leonhardt was later arrested for punching Jessi Slaughter.

Leonhardt was 53.