Steve Irwin: Court demands proof that the late 'Crocodile Hunter' is dead

The Australian celebrity was killed by a stingray in 2006

Steve Irwin was killed by a Stingray in 2006 (AP)

A Los Angeles judge has demanded proof that the late “Crocodile Hunter” is, in fact, dead, nearly a decade after he was killed in a grisly stingray attack.

Lawyers for US television hit Dancing with the Stars submitted a minor’s contract for Steve Irwin’s 17-year-old daughter, Bindi, that requires that both parents rescind rights to money earned on the show, celebrity news site TMZ reported on Thursday.

Bindi’s mother Terri signed the contract, but a Los Angeles Superior Court judge reportedly rejected the contract, demanding a copy of her late father’s death certificate.

The Australian television personality and wildlife expert Steve Irwin died at the age of 44 on September 4 2006, when a stingray hit him in the chest with its barbed tail, piercing his heart. He had been shooting a documentary entitled Ocean’s Deadliest.

Bindi has lasted 11 episodes of the ABC television network dancing competition. She has already earned $230,000, TMZ reported.

The Los Angeles Superior Court was not immediately available for comment.