The university was told about the hoax on Dec. 26, 2012.

Notre Dame initiated an investigation to assist Te'o and his family in discovering a motive for the hoax.

"While the proper authorities will continue to investigate this troubling matter, this appears to be, at a minimum, a sad and very cruel deception to entertain its perpetrators," reads the statement from the University of Notre Dame.

Deadspin.com uncovered that the woman that the media called Te'o's girlfriend did not exist and was a hoax.

KITV4 News will have more on this story tonight in our 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts.