TMZ is reporting today that disco icon Donna Summer has passed away. The singer was 63 years old.
The 5-time Grammy winner was perhaps best known for her 1978 hit "Last Dance." Summer had apparently been fighting cancer for some time and died peacefully in her Florida home. She leaves behind a husband and two daughters.
William Balfour faces life in prison after being convicted of murdering Jennifer Hudson's mother, brother and 7 year-old nephew in 2008. Jennifer narrowly escaped being murdered herself, when she decided to visit her fiance instead of her family in Chicago, where members of her family were murdered.
After two days of deliberations, 27 year-old William has been found guilty of 1st degree murder on all counts plus guilty of home invasion and residential burglary.
Hudson was not in court when the verdict was read, but she did testify and broke down on the stand earlier in Balfour's trial.
TMZ reports: "Balfour stands convicted of the triple murder after allegedly flying into a blind and jealous rage over a balloon gift for Julia Hudson, Balfour's ex and Jennifer's sister. Balfour thought the gift was from Julia's new boyfriend and he snapped."
Still shaking my head at this story! Such a shame, hopefully this brings the Hudson family some amount of closure.
Beastie Boys rapper Adam Yauch has died. In 2009, Adam, known as MCA, announced that he was being treated for a cancerous parotid gland and a nymph node. MCA co-founded Beastie Boys in 1979 with Mike D and Ad Rock.
The Beastie Boys has won multiple Grammys and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame earlier this year. They've made hit songs like License to Ill, Paul's Boutique, Check Your Head and Ill Communication.
The popular group hasn't performed live since 2009. Adam leaves a wife and a daughter behind. R.I.P.
Former San Diego Chargers star and New England Patriots player Junior Seau was found dead in his home in Northern San Diego today. Seau was 43 years old and leaves behind three children. The police are at Seau's residence right now and a coroner has just arrived.
Junior text his ex-wife and three children "Love you." They all responded to Junior. He didn't reply, but they didn't suspect that anything was wrong. The last time he saw his kids was three weeks ago. He didn't show any signs of depression in recent weeks.
TMZ reports: "Seau was involved in a car accident back in 2010 when he drove his SUV off a cliff in Carlsbad, CA hours after he was arrested for allegedly attacking his girlfriend. Seau later said he was not trying to kill himself ... insisting he had fallen asleep at the wheel."
Tragic. R.I.P.
Tommy Marth was found dead in his Las Vegas home on Monday. Tommy played the saxophone for The Killers. The band released a statement on Tuesday saying: "Last night we lost our friend Thomas Marth. Our prayers are with his family. There’s a light missing in Las Vegas tonight. Travel well, Tommy.”
Marth played on two Killers albums: Sam's Town and Day & Age. He also toured with the band in 2008 and 2009. Tommy was 33 years old.
Dick Clark died of a massive heart attack last night, his rep confirms. He entered St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica for an outpatient procedure before having a heart attack. Clark was called "America's Oldest Teenager" because of his youthful looks and enthusiasm.
Clark began his start at his father's radio station in upstate New York before working as a disc jockey at his college station in Philadelphia. ABC picked up his dance show American Bandstand, which featured acts like Elvis Presley to Chuck Berry.
Dick went on to produce and host other game shows as well as the American Music Awards, Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve and more.
He is survived by his wife Kari and his three children: RAC, Duane and Cindy.
R.I.P.
The L.A. County Coroner has just released a report noting the official cause of Whitney Houston's tragic death. The iconic singer died of accidental drowning. Cocaine was found in Houston's system. Cocaine use and heart disease led to her death. It is "very possible" that Whitney had a heart attack which led to her to consciousness and drown.
TMZ reports: "The heart attack may have been triggered by hardening of the arteries as a result of cocaine use. Law enforcement sources have told us from the beginning they did not suspect foul play -- and believe her death was not a homicide."
I can't believe it. I thought that the drugs that were found on the scene, which included Xanax, Ibuprofen and Midol, mixed with alcohol led to Houston's death. To know that it was cocaine, a drug Bobby Brown allegedly introduced her to, makes this story that much more tragic. R.I.P.
When I asked Thomas Mann, Oliver Cooper and Jonathan Brown if they thought that Project X would inspire young people to throw parties of their own, they said no. In reality, some teens in Florida and Texas have thrown parties that were actually inspired by the film!
Christopher Dade, 18, caused $19,000 worth of damage to a foreclosed home. He had spraypainted "Project X" on the walls and "break me" on a window but he was arrested after he posted a 4-minute video of the house on YouTube. 2,000 people showed up for Dade's all-nighter, but were turned away by police.
Things got more out of control and crazy in Houston, Texas.
Ben Taub died after being shot in the head at a "Project X" inspired party that attracted between 500 to 1,000 guests.
Good Morning America reports: "A string of copycat parties have caused over $100,000 in real damage, handfuls of arrests and the Houston fatality."
At the Houston party, trash cans were filled with spiked punch, wet foam blanketed the floor, and women who showed up in bathing suits were granted free entry, according to the flyer. Most of the attendees were teenagers. News of the party spread quickly on Facebook and Twitter.
A witness aid: "Kids took to the streets, but the parking lot was overpacked so you couldn't get out. It was just people in the actual street. They got into arguments and started shooting each other."
The publication of an open-casket photo from Whitney Houston's funeral is a sad epilogue to an incredibly accomplished life, that hopefully won't be an item of interest much longer. Which is why it's good news that Whitney's family is doing their best to move on from the shocking privacy violation, and encouraging her fans to do the same.
Whitney's family is said to be "disgusted" by the National Enquirer for using the photo. Sources say the image splashed on tabloid front pages "broke their heart all over again," and Whitney's mother, Cissy is said to be particularly troubled by the violation. Despite the betrayal and added grief, the Houstons have opted not to investigate the matter, feeling that a search for the parties responsible would only prolong their agony.
Smart move by a family that's suffered enough. Let's hope this is the last we'll hear of this matter.
Well, it was bound to happen. The fight over Whitney Houston's estate has begun, and sadly, 18 year-old Bobbi Kristina is caught in the middle.
TMZ reports that Whitney's family has stepped in to prevent Bobby Brown from contacting his daughter, as they believe he is only after Whitney's fortune, estimated to be worth $20 million. Whitney's mother, Cissy Houston, believes that Bobby is broke and planning on exploiting his daughter's affection to secure a chunk of her inheritance. Because of interference from Cissy, Bobby reportedly didn't see his daughter for more than three days following Whitney's death.
I'm not sure who to side with here. Judging from Bobby's past, I wouldn't be surprised if it turned out he was exploiting this tragedy to line his pockets, but at the same time it's hard to imagine keeping a daughter from seeing her father in the days following her mother's death. It's an ugly situation and it's a shame that Bobbi Kristina's already fragile mental state has to be tested this way.
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