Rumors of a $30,000 bounty for a photograph of Olive Osmond in her coffin have prompted increased security at Saturday’s funeral for the Utah entertainment family’s matriarch.
If the rumors are true, “it would be so belittling to a woman who has lived a gracious life,” Osmond family spokesman Ron Clark said.
Fans contacted the Osmond Brothers, performing in Branson, Mo., to alert them that a Web site had posted a rumor offering money for “a photograph of Mrs. Osmond with the children around the coffin mourning, but they want her in the coffin,” Clark said.
Clark has not yet substantiated the rumor, but has added a “significant” amount of extra security to the funeral in Provo.
Osmond, 79, died Sunday of complications from a stroke she suffered more than two years ago.
George and Olive Osmond’s children toured internationally and made numerous recordings and TV appearances. From 1976-79, Donny and Marie Osmond hosted the television program “The Donny and Marie Show,” which their older brothers helped produce.
Although not a star herself, Olive Osmond was well-known as a positive, driving force behind her children.
The Osmond family was “extremely concerned and rather upset,” when they heard the rumor, Clark said. “It’s hard enough on them as it is without having to worry about this.”