Celebrity Death

Burt Reynolds fans and car enthusiasts alike paid their respects to the late '"Smokey and the Bandit" star ... by rolling up in the classic ride he made famous.

Thousands of people attended Long Island's Motor Mania car show Saturday at Eisenhower Park, which featured a ceremonial parade of 100 Pontiac Firebird Trans Ams to honor Reynolds and his iconic 1977 film. It's called the "100-Trans Am Salute."

Several of the drivers also paid homage to Burt by going all out and dressing like the Bandit ... and rocking a stache. It's probably time to retire the Rebel flag license plates though.

The memorial was organized by the car show's host, Butch Yamali.

As we reported ... Burt's personal car collection hit the auction block at the Mandalay Bay Saturday, including a 1978 recreation of the iconic Pontiac in "Smokey and the Bandit."

Cops have made an arrest in the shooting death of 20-year-old LSU basketball player Wayde Sims.

According to the Baton Rouge Police Department ... Dyteon Simpson was taken into custody Saturday morning after admitting to shooting Sims. He's been charged with 2nd degree murder.

Police Chief Murphy Paul told reporters at a press conference Sims suffered a gunshot wound to the head after intervening in an altercation between his friend and Simpson.

Simpson left his glasses at the scene, which were recovered by cops and used to test DNA ... which found a match with Simpson.

Chief Paul says ... "Simpson was questioned and admitted to being in possession of a weapon, admitting to being on the scene and admitted to shooting Wayde as well." The investigation is ongoing.

As we reported ... Wayde was killed outside a Subway restaurant near Southern University's campus early Friday morning, about a 15-minute drive from LSU's main campus.

Marty Balin -- one of the founding members of Jefferson Airplane -- died Thursday, according to his rep.

The legendary Bay Area musician's family confirmed his passing, but isn't releasing a cause of death.

Balin's best known for forming the pioneering psychedelic rock band with Paul Kantner in 1965, which popularized the "San Francisco Sound" of the era. Marty was one of the vocalists in the band's classic lineup in the late '60s, which headlined 3 of the most famous rock festivals at the time ... including Woodstock.

He co-wrote several of their hits, including "Comin' Back to Me" on their breakthrough album "Surrealistic Pillow." He also sang backup vocals on "Somebody to Love."

Balin left the band, but returned in 1974 when they gained even more commercial success as Jefferson Starship. He wrote the band's 1975 hit, "Miracles."

He bailed once again in 1978 because he was tired of touring -- or perhaps because of his issues with bandmate and rival singer, Grace Slick -- and went on to pursue a solo career. After a couple reunion tours with Airplane and Starship, he left the bands for good in 2008.

Balin underwent open-heart surgery in 2016 in NYC and later sued the hospital for malpractice. He was 76.

XXXTentacion's murder happened in plain view of surveillance cameras, and the haunting video was played in public for the first time Thursday during a Broward County court hearing.

The video shows X walking into the motorcycle dealership in Pompano Beach, FL ... and you see two of the suspects follow him into the building. Later, his BMW is stopped on the street by the gun-wielding suspects.

Surveillance cameras recorded what we'd already known -- that X struggled with his assailants before they opened fire at point-blank range. One of them actually walked around to the passenger side and got into X's car before fleeing the scene.

As we reported, the suspects made off with a Louis Vuitton bag and $50k in cash.

WPLG was in court as prosecutors played the video during a discovery and bail hearing for Robert Allen -- one of 4 suspects charged with the June murder of the rapper.

LSU basketball player Wayde Sims was shot and killed near Southern University's campus early Friday morning, Baton Rouge PD confirms. He was just 20 years old.

Cops say the junior forward was shot at a Subway restaurant across the street from the SU's football stadium around 12:30 in the morning.

Sims was transported to a local hospital where he later died from the gunshot wound.

FYI, Southern University is also located in Baton Rouge ... about a 15-minute drive from LSU's main campus.

Baton Rouge PD released video of a violent altercation leading up to the fatal shooting ... and are trying to identify the person wearing a gray t-shirt and red pants seen toward the end of the clip.

“We are all devastated," LSU coach Will Wade said Friday morning. “We need your prayers for Wayde, for his family, for all of us. We are heartbroken.”

“Wayde Sims’ loss is simply unbelievable to us right now,” Joe Alleva, LSU's athletics director, added. “There are no words that can express our sorrow for his parents and family."

"He was such a lovable young man who was full of joy. We are circling around his teammates and friends who need all the love and support we can give them. We are praying for his family, for his parents. God bless Wayde Sims.”

"This is your worst nightmare as a coach," Wade said in a news conference Friday morning.

"Everybody liked him. Anybody he came in contact with you automatically just loved him and loved his personality. He was just a blast to be around at all times."

"Obviously, we're all still devastated and in shock about everything. But we're going to support Wayde's family and support our guys and slowly move forward from this."

LSU alum and former NFL star Marcus Spears shared his condolences, saying "Sick about the news of #WaydeSims of @LSUBasketball woke up to this, this morning and it’s heartbreaking for these young men to lose their lives at the hands of someone that shouldn’t make that choice for them! #RIP young Brah #Senseless"

Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari released a statement Friday morning -- "Saying a prayer this morning for Wayde and the @LSUBasketball family. Very tough news to hear we've lost a young man just getting started. My condolences to his family, friends and teammates."

Philadelphia Sixers superstar Ben Simmons dedicated an Instagram post to Sims, saying "Gone too soon. Sending my prayers to the Sims family and everyone back home at @lsubasketball Nothing but positive things to say about you brother #lsuforever"

Auburn basketball head coach Bruce Pearl added, "Devasted to hear of the passing of Wayde Sims. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and the entire LSU community during this difficult time. Father God please take care of him!"

Sims -- whose dad Wayne also played for the Tigers from 1987-1991 -- averaged 5.6 points and 3 rebounds a game last season. He was a high school prodigy and was named the Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year in 2015.

Paul John Vasquez -- who played a bunch of minor roles in huge TV shows, including "Sons of Anarchy," "NYPD Blue" and "CSI: NY" -- has died ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to Vasquez tell TMZ ... Vasquez died Monday night from an apparent heart attack at his father's home in San Jose. We're told his dad found him unconscious and paramedics were called but they were unable to revive him. The cause of death is still under investigation.

Vasquez is the second actor from the popular TV show to have died in the last few months. We broke the story ... Alan O'Neill was found dead by his girlfriend back in June but no foul play was suspected.

Vasquez appeared in 2 episodes of 'SoA' back in 2011. According to his IMDB profile, Vasquez wrote the short film "Thug Alley" which was in pre-production. He was 48.

Asia Argento is breaking her silence on Anthony Bourdain's suicide … saying his death left a hole that can’t be filled, and anger was the only thing that kept her from taking her own life.

Tears streamed down Asia's face as she revealed her initial reaction to her boyfriend's death was anger. Anger because she felt he was "abandoning me, my kids."

Asia also told DailyMailTV -- in her first interview since Bourdain’s death -- her anger has now been replaced by an emotional hole that cannot be filled by anything.

Interestingly, Asia's initial interview -- which airs Monday and Tuesday -- comes just as CNN begins running the final 5 episodes of Anthony's hit show, 'Parts Unknown.'

What she says is also interesting because she had posted a cryptic message in the hours before Bourdain was found dead in a French hotel room. She was wearing a shirt that said, “F**K EVERYONE” and included the caption ... "You know who you are."

Asia's IG post led to speculation she got into an argument with Bourdain right before his suicide ... and there are rumors something happened that cut him to the core.

The drunk driver who killed Colts linebacker Edwin Jackson in February just got sentenced to 16 years in prison.

As we previously reported, 26-year-old Jackson and his Uber driver were hit by a pickup truck while they were standing on the shoulder of a highway in Indiana.

37-year-old Manuel Orrego-Zavala pled guilty to 2 counts of "DUI that causes the death of another" in July.

Today, he faced a judge in Indiana ... and was hit with the maximum penalty -- 16 years in state prison.

After his prison sentence, Orrego-Zavala -- who's a Guatemalan citizen in America illegally -- faces deportation.

The case became a national story when President Trump tweeted that it was "disgraceful" that Jackson was killed by a man who was in the U.S. illegally.

Die-hard Burt Reynolds fans down for a beer run to Texarkana and back in 28 hours can now do it with one of Burt's personal cars ... but it's gonna cost 'em a pretty penny.

The late actor's car collection is set to hit the auction block on Sept. 29 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Burt's personally-owned cars (titled and registered to Burt) are spectacular -- the 1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am is a recreation of the iconic Pontiac in "Smokey and the Bandit."

There's also another '78 Trans Am that's a recreation from the one used in "Hooper" and an '84 Trans Am that was used to promote the USFL Tampa Bay Bandits, which Burt, of course, owned. It's not just Trans Ams though ... a 1987 Chevrolet R30 pickup's also up for grabs. It's a recreation for the one used in 'Cannonball Run.'

The Pittsburgh Pirates held a moment of silence for Mac Miller before their game Monday -- honoring the late rapper with a tribute video on the PNC Park jumbotron.

Starling Marte, Colin Moran and the rest of the Pirates squad paused for a minute to honor Mac -- a Pittsburgh native who died of an apparent overdose earlier this month.

The Pirates' PA announcer said over the park's loudspeakers as a video of Miller in a Pirates jersey played, "Mac was a rapper, a singer, a producer and had a very bright future in the industry ahead of him."

"Locally, Mac is remembered as a hometown kid who sang about our city where his heart clearly remained."

"Our thoughts are with his parents, his grandmother and all of his family and friends who mourn his passing."

A 22-year old champion golfer from Iowa State University was found beaten and murdered on a golf course in Iowa ... and now cops have arrested and charged a man with her killing.

Celia Barquin Arozamena -- the Big 12 champ -- was found dead on the Coldwater Golf Links in Ames, Iowa ...near the university's campus.

Cops were initially called after golfers located an unattended bag on the course. Police searched the area ... and found Barquin Arozamena's body.

Officials say she had been assaulted ... and died as a result of the injuries.

A subsequent investigation led cops to arrest 22-year old Collin Daniel Richards ... and charged him with 1st-degree murder.

ISU released a statement ... “Celia had an infectious smile, a bubbly personality and anyone fortunate enough to know her was blessed."

9/17 -- We've obtained Mac's death certificate which lists his official time of death as 11:51 AM PT on the morning of September 7. His occupation was listed as musician for 11 years. Mac will be buried at The Homewood Cemetery in Pittsburgh.

Mac Miller's cause of death is still officially unknown ... according to his death certificate.

TMZ's learned the doc, filed with L.A. County, notes the cause of death is "deferred" ... meaning the L.A. County Coroner is awaiting toxicology results.

The point of a death certificate with a deferred cause of death ... so the family can either bury or cremate the body. We've learned the Coroner has already released the body to Mac's family.

The toxicology results typically take 4 to 6 weeks.

TMZ broke the story ... the rapper was found dead of an apparent overdose last week in a bedroom at his San Fernando Valley home. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities were alerted by a friend who called 911 from Mac's home. Emergency dispatch audio revealed first responders were called for a patient in cardiac arrest.

As we first reported ... cops think Mac's house was swept clean before cops searched it for clues as to how Mac died. Our sources say it makes no sense to them that someone who had consumed a fatal dose would have the foresight to sweep the house of pill bottles, illegal drugs as well as drug paraphernalia on the off chance they might die.

Originally published -- 9/11/2018 at 10:40 AM PT

Burt Reynolds excluded his only son from his will, but not because he wanted to disinherit him.

Burt's will specifically says 30-year-old Quinton Reynolds is intentionally omitted from the will. However, the doc goes on to say that Burt created a trust years ago for Quinton's benefit and the money from the trust will continue to go to Quinton. This is typically done to avoid estate taxes.

It appears all of Burt's assets are in the trust, so the will is effectively a hollow document, providing that all assets not accounted for in the trust will funnel to it.

The will also provides the trustee is his niece, Nancy Lee Brown Hess. Again interesting ... Burt didn't select Quinton to handle the trust, although that might have been a conflict of interest since Quinton is a beneficiary of the trust.

As we reported ... Burt died of a heart attack earlier this month. He died at a hospital in Florida after going into cardiac arrest. His family was by his side when he passed.

Ariana Grande is looking for ways to deal with Mac Miller's death, and one way she found is to embrace her ex-boyfriend's own words.

Ariana posted a tribute to Mac Saturday, saying she was listening to one of the cuts from his album, "Swimming."

The track -- "Ladders" -- has the lyric, "Somehow we gotta find a way/no matter how many miles it takes."

Grande posted the artwork from the album, but added storm clouds ... clearly for emotional effect.

Peter Donat -- who appeared on several popular TV shows during his 50-year career and played Mulder's father on "The X-Files" -- has died ... according to his wife.

He reportedly died Monday at his home in Point Reyes Station, California from complications of diabetes.

Donat began his career in 1953 and was a familiar face on television for decades. He guest-starred and had recurring roles on shows like "Mission: Impossible," "The F.B.I.," "The Waltons," "Hawaii Five-O," "Hill Street Blues" and "Murder, She Wrote."

Peter had a notable role in the famous "Who Shot J.R.?" episode of "Dallas" in 1980 ... and played William Mulder, Agent Mulder's dad, on 6 episodes of "The X-Files." His film credits include "The Godfather Part II," "The War of the Roses" and "The Game."

The veteran actor had a long career on Broadway as well, making his debut in 1957.

Mac Miller's brother -- the one in charge of handling his estate -- showed up at his parent's home as they grieved together and planned for Mac's funeral.

Miller McCormick carried boxes of beer Friday into the Pittsburgh home of his parents.

Mac chose Miller as his personal rep to handle his estate. Mac wrote his will back in 2013 when he was only 21 ... unusual for someone so young -- especially someone who didn't have a wife and kids -- to write a will.

The will gives no detail as to how much money Mac left or to whom it will go. Mac created a trust -- something lots of people do to avoid going through probate -- and the trust documents were not filed with the court.

Whatever assets Mac left that were not part of the trust will go into the trust, so the will is effectively a hollow document.