TMZ.com Home

Video of the car crash that took the life of Dixie Chicks founding member Laura Lynch shows a mangled mess that hardly even resembles a motor vehicle.

The mangled vehicle in the video is a Ford truck, although it's almost impossible to make out. According to the crash report, Laura was driving an F-150 at the time of the crash.

According to an eyewitness, Laura was driving on Highway 62 outside of El Paso when a truck entered Laura's lane while trying to go around 2 other cars and struck her vehicle head-on. His account is consistent with the way law enforcement described the crash.

Drivers who witnessed the crash stopped to check on Laura ... and someone got her out of the truck by cutting her seatbelt but she may have already passed ... she had no pulse.

The driver who hit Laura was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Heat exhaustion was the cause of death of a Brazilian fan at Taylor Swift's concert ... a forensic report confirms.

Ana Clara Benevides Machado passed out during Taylor's Rio de Janeiro concert Nov. 17 amid the city's oppressive heat -- 105 degrees -- and was pronounced dead hours later at the hospital.

Rio's Forensic Medical Institute now reveals heat exposure led to a "serious compromise of her lungs and sudden death" -- basically, in medical terms, she suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest.

The report notes she didn't have any preexisting conditions or substance abuse issues that could have contributed to her death.

Rio's public prosecutor has now opened a criminal investigation of her death ... saying in a statement Wednesday representatives of the concert's organizers, Time4Fun, will be called to testify following an in-depth analysis of the report.

Soon after the tragic incident unfolded at Estádio Olímpico Nilton Santos ... fans demanded the organizers supply more water at the following shows because they weren't allowed to take any into the venue themselves.

The company execs acknowledged their mistake shortly after ... saying they "did not economize in our efforts or resources to follow the best global practices in our industry to guarantee the comfort and safety of all."

Nick and Aaron Carter's sister, Bobbie Jean Carter, was found unresponsive in a bathroom the day she died ... just like her late brother Aaron.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office tells TMZ ... first responders were dispatched to Bobbie's Tampa, FL home Saturday morning, they found her and rushed her to a nearby hospital, where she was declared dead.

The sheriff says deputies learned Bobbie Jean was on probation for cocaine possession when she died, but her roommates told police she had not used any narcotics since being released from prison.

What's more, we're told deputies did not find any narcotics or drug paraphernalia in Bobbie Jean's bedroom or bathroom ... and there were no signs of foul play.

The sheriff says Bobbie Jean's death is under investigation ... and her official cause of death will be ultimately determined by the Medical Examiner's Office, pending toxicology results.

It's pretty eerie to learn Bobbie was found unresponsive in a bathroom ... because the same thing happened with Aaron.

Remember ... Aaron died last year after drowning in his bathtub. The autopsy report said Aaron became incapacitated due to the effects of prescription pills and huffing before slipping under the water and drowning.

Peter Rosenberg's not buying Kanye West's apology for his antisemitic comments ... seconding our observation it reads like something outta an AI chatbot.

We got the radio DJ on "TMZ Live" Wednesday, where he notes Ye's remorse was so inauthentic compared to his usual impassioned messages ... it automatically let him know it was bogus.

In fact ... Peter focuses on the rapper's delayed album "Vultures" ... theorizing he was forced into conjuring up a blanket apology after record execs pressured him into it ... in exchange for clearing some tunes on his album.

Peter blasts Ye further ... telling us his message being written in Hebrew was both intentionally and unintentionally offensive ... as if American Jews could easily read the language without vowels.

Noting his years-long obsession with making offensive comments ... Peter says he doesn't think there'll ever be an apology from Ye that could make people forget the uproar he's caused.

As TMZ first noted ... an AI content detector said there was an 85% chance a computer wrote Kanye's apology.

Strong buzz words usually associated with chat phrases like "sincerely apologize," "It was not my intention to hurt," and "promoting unity" were used -- meaning there's a strong chance it didn't come from his heart.

Tom Smothers -- one half of the famous singing comedy team the "Smothers Brothers" -- has died.

In a statement released Wednesday, Dick Smothers announced his brother's passing, saying Tom died at home as a result of cancer.

Dick went on to say “Tom was not only the loving older brother that everyone would want in their life, he was a one-of-a-kind creative partner."

Continuing, Dick said, “I am forever grateful to have spent a lifetime together with him, on and off stage, for over 60 years."

Dick ended with, "Our relationship was like a good marriage – the longer we were together, the more we loved and respected one another. We were truly blessed.”

In the late '50s, early 1960s, Tom and Dick often appeared on TV variety shows and released popular albums of their stage performances. In 1967, they finally landed their own variety show, "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour," which instantly became one of the most hotly debated TV programs during the Vietnam War period.

The "Smothers Brothers" got canceled decades before cancellation became a thing. Tommy became super political when the show was in its second season, railing with satire against the Vietnam War. The Bros were especially critical of then-President Lyndon B. Johnson.

On one show Tommy looked straight into the camera and said, "Okay, all you guys in Vietnam, come on home."

During one episode, Harry Belafonte sang, "Don't Stop the Carnival," and the backdrop on stage were images of the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago, where then-Mayor Richard Daley ordered law enforcement to beat Vietnam protesters in the streets.

They took on other issues as well, but it was too hot for CBS. The network pulled the plug in 1969 at the end of season 3. People in the anti-war movement, along with free speech advocates, were outraged.

Tommy and Dick sued CBS for breach of contract and they eventually got $775,000. The 'SBCH' came back for a short-lived revival in 1988 but ended after one season

Think Dixie Chicks, but 40 years earlier.

Taylor Swift's fans are seeing red -- more than usual -- because Travis Kelce was spotted with a big ol' red mark on his neck that's giving hickey in a big way ... at least to Swifties!

We present Exhibit A: The Chiefs' tight end was all red-neck'd, in a good way, during the Chiefs' game against the Patriots last weekend. Yes, some fans eagle-eyed fans were still looking at pics from the Dec. 17 game when they discovered what they think is Taylor's love mark on her man.

As you can imagine, they're going nuts over it. Of course, Taylor was in the stands at the Chiefs/Pats game with her dad, Scott -- who is usually an Eagles fan, but threw on some Chiefs garb to show support.

Now, Swifties aside -- just for a moment, gang -- and we have to say that mark on Trav's neck could easily be an ingrown hair or a shaving scar. Yes, we're the wet blanket.

Whatever it was ... the hickey-esque thingy seemed to be gone in time for the Chiefs game on Christmas day game against the Raiders.

A massive brawl broke out inside a Texas courtroom between the family of a 15-year-old murder victim and his alleged killer ... and the violence was all caught on newly released video.

First the back story ... in May 2022, Ethan Soto was allegedly fatally shot by Victor Rivas in a possible act of retaliation for a drug-related robbery in San Antonio, police said.

Then, on Tuesday, Soto's pregnant sister, Savanah, 18, was found dead along with her boyfriend, Matthew Guerra, 22, three days after they were reported missing.

Detectives are now investigating their deaths as possible homicides, although it's unclear if their cases have any connection to Ethan's slaying.

Fast forward to October 2022 in a San Antonio courtroom, where Rivas took the stand to testify at trial for Ethan's murder with the Soto family present.

As Rivas was testifying, four members of the Soto family attacked him on the stand and it was all recorded on video, which was published Tuesday in the DailyMail.

Check it out ... the family members lunged at Rivas, pummeling him with their fists until court officers jumped in and brought the situation under control. Officers quickly led Rivas -- who was not seriously hurt -- out of the courtroom to safety.

Tyga and Chloe Bailey have connecting sweet teeth after a late-night hang.

The two music stars were spotted leaving the Bird Streets Club in WeHo Tuesday night for a sweet meetup ... Tyg's carrying 2 bags of candy as he headed to his car.

Chloe was all smiles -- likely anticipating the treats ahead -- as she slid into the front passenger seat of T-Raww's whip before they jetted off into the moonlight.

Both Tyga and Chloe enjoy the company of their fellow musicians ... the "Rack City" rapper and Avril Lavigne dated for a chunk of 2023 while Chloe and Gunna dated shortly before he got wrapped up in his current legal situation.

Lee Sun-kyun – best known for his 2019 role in the Oscar-winning film "Parasite" – has died by suicide while under investigation for using illegal drugs.

The South Korean actor was found dead in his car Wednesday in the capital city of Seoul after Lee's manager reported him missing to police, according to CNN.

Seoul officials told the network Lee's death was "presumed to be suicide," as forensic investigators were seen putting up police tape where Lee's car was discovered.

Police in Incheon, a city that borders Seoul, interrogated Lee on three occasions during the criminal probe into his possible narcotics use.

Lee admitted to consuming drugs, but claimed he was tricked into taking them and blackmailed, as he ended up suing the extortionist. Cops were allegedly tipped off about Lee's narcotics use just before he filed the lawsuit.

As part of the police investigation, Lee was repeatedly drug tested, but the results always came back negative, CNN said.

Officers last questioned Lee on December 23, keeping him detained for 19 hours before releasing him.

Two suspects – a man and a woman – were arrested in connection with the narcotics investigation.

On Tuesday – the day before Lee was found dead – he requested through his attorney that police administer a lie detector test to him and the two people who were arrested. It's not clear if the three were given the polygraph exam.

In the comedy-thriller, "Parasite," Lee had a starring role as Park Dong-ik – the father of a wealthy family targeted by an indigent clan of schemers who infiltrate their household. The film snagged 4 Oscars at the 2020 Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Lee was 48.

RIP

Transgender actress Tommy Dorfman has lambasted Delta Air Lines ... accusing them of committing a human rights violation for "incessantly" misgendering her during a spat.

The heated showdown at NYC's LaGuardia Airport was caught on camera by the "13 Reasons Why" star ... who alleges the staff referred to her by the wrong pronouns -- claiming that one did so "intentionally."

It's unclear what precedes the situation ... but in the viral TikTok clip you can hear Tommy -- who uses she/her pronouns -- saying, "What about when a Delta employee misgenders you intentionally?"

To deal with Tommy, the gate agent tells another person to wait their turn, saying ... "While she's talk -- while he's talking."

Tommy -- who came out as trans in July 2021 -- is none too pleased ...  informing him that he's misgendered her again -- though the agent tells her it wasn't intentional and if she wanted to take it personally, that was on her.

He also slams Tommy for being condescending .... threatening to have Port Authority escort her out ... and asking her if the commotion was really necessary days before Christmas.

But, Tommy's standing her ground ... writing in her caption she was met with transphobia and arrest threats at LaGuardia when merely advocating for herself -- adding she didn't realize it was condescending to flag a human rights violation when being misgendered.

"Home Alone" actor Ken Hudson Campbell is thanking his fans for all their support following a recent health scare involving mouth cancer.

Ken's daughter, Michaela, set up a GoFundMe page to help cover his medical bills ... posting a Christmas update on his condition written by the man himself with a smiling photo of him in a Santa hat.

In case you forgot, Ken's smiling Santa image was an homage, of course, to his role as Kris Kringle in the 1990 "Home Alone" movie.

Ken wrote that he was "moved beyond belief by your generosity and well wishes," while also offering his fans a "Merry Christmas and Happy Everything."

According to Michaela, Ken was diagnosed with cancer in October after a tumor started growing on the bottom of his mouth. Since Ken lost his SAG-AFTRA insurance after the COVID pandemic in 2022, they were forced to start the GoFundMe to raise money for his medical bills.

He had surgery a few weeks ago and had the cancer removed, and it looks like Ken is in much better spirits now ... and just in time for the holidays.

A mother of 4 in Alaska has gone missing and is presumed dead after risking her life to try and save her dog from drowning in a frozen river.

45-year-old Amanda Richmond Rogers was taking a hike Saturday in Anchorage with her dog, Groot, and her husband, Brian, celebrating Amanda and Brian's 18th wedding anniversary, when Groot tried getting some water from a nearby river.

The Irish Wolfhound's weight broke the ice below him and he fell into a small hole in the Eagle River. Amanda and Brian sprang into action to rescue the pup ... and Brian says his wife, an ER nurse, didn't hesitate to jump into the frigid water to save him.

Brian says he last spotted Amanda swimming downstream under the ice, but that was the last time he saw them ... adding, "I waited and waited and am still waiting."

Rescue teams are still on the hunt to find Groot and Amanda's bodies, Alaska State Troopers, the state's Dive Search, Rescue, and Recovery Team, the Solstice Search, and the Alaska Wildlife Troopers are all on the hunt.

The search came to a brief halt on Tuesday when equipment froze up ... but when the sun came up Wednesday morning, the search team began deploying underwater drones, specialist rescue dogs, and sonar equipment to help with the efforts.

Barry Keoghan is the total package ... 'cause that was all him in the naked scene of his new movie "Saltburn."

Be wary; there are some spoilers ahead ... near the end of the Amazon Prime flick, Barry's character Oliver bares it all while busting out a celebratory dance -- with fans shocked to learn he wasn't wearing a prosthetic penis.

And, Barry has confirmed no extra props were required ... saying he embraced his "ownership" and "full confidence" -- though only after 11 takes because he wasn't comfortable at first.

It wasn't long before he felt empowered ... asking the crew to re-take the shot over and over again ... adding to Entertainment Weekly he quickly forgot he was in the buff because of the comfortable on-set environment.

Barry also says that disrobing was what his character required ... cause he could do whatever he wanted in the grand manor that features heavily in the movie ... even if that meant stripping to his barest and waltzing around like he owned the place.

"Saltburn" is centered on Oxford scholarship recipient Oliver Quick, taken in for the summer by his wealthy pal friend Felix Catton ... played by Jacob Elordi.

Simone Biles' fans are going after her hubby, Jonathan Owens ... relentlessly trolling him on Instagram after the NFL player controversially said he was the "catch" in their relationship.

The Green Bay Packers safety made the remarks on "The Pivot" podcast last week -- saying he didn't know who Biles was when he first met her ... while going on to call himself the real prize in the couple.

The comments were met with outrage -- because, after all, Biles is one of the greatest female competitors to ever walk the Earth -- and her fans are still clearly pissed over them ... with many taking to his social media page recently to throw barbs.

"Merry Christmas to Mr. & Mrs. Simone Biles❤️," one commenter wrote on Owens' Christmas Day post.

"I don’t even know his name," another fan said. "I just know him as Simone Biles's husband."

Others took shots at Owens' bank account ... writing, "Girl have him sign a prenup."

The couple, however, seems unbothered by the backlash -- in fact, Biles actually rushed to his defense days ago, supporting Owens in an IG post.

The only copy of Schindler's List ever for sale is hitting the market again ... following a price cut.

The rare historical relic is currently on sale for $1.8 million through memorabilia company Moments in Time ... via a collector who obtained the list from the family of Itzhak Stern -- Schindler's accountant and right-hand man.

Over the years, the list has been up for sale a few times ... with its asking price always over $2M -- the highest being $2.5M ... though it's never had any takers.

The collector hopes the lowered price is more affordable ... with the site gushing over the opportunity to "acquire an item of truly incredible magnitude."

This list, dated April 18, 1945, is the penultimate list of a total of 7 ... coming in at 14 pages long and listing 801 names.

It's also one of the only 4 lists in existence -- one is homed at the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C ... the other two are in Israel's Holocaust Remembrance Center Yad Vashem, in Jerusalem.

The sale of this item is especially relevant today ... given the rapidly emerging antisemitism amid the Israel-Palestine conflict.

The docs were used by German industrialist Oskar Schindler ... who saved more than 1,200 Jews' lives during the Holocaust by employing them in his enamelware and ammunition factories.

Talk about heartwarming for the holidays ... the former child stars of "The Sandlot" reunited in Florida to play a little ball, and raise money for charity while they were at it.

Fans of the film got to hang out with 'Sandlot' stars Marty York, Tom Guiry, Victor DiMattia, Shane Obedzinski and Grant Gelt for 2 days in New Smyrna Beach ... with movie screenings, meet and greets and a celebrity softball game to cap it all off.

The featured 'Sandlot' characters include Scotty Smalls, Alan 'Yeah-Yeah' McClennan, Bertram Grover Weeks, plus Tommy 'Repeat' Timmons and his twin brother Timmy. Pretty good squad, right?!?

The 2-day charity event followed the 30th anniversary of the iconic movie's release ... and proceeds benefitted Table 2 Committee, a nonprofit that raises money for local youth sports programs.

'Sandlot' writer, director and narrator David Mickey Evans organized the whole shebang ... and it looks like there was quite a turnout.