Celebrity Death

Tampa Bay Rays bullpen catcher Jean Ramirez died by suicide, officials in Texas announced this week.

The Tarrant County Medical Examiner revealed the ruling on the manner on Thursday, TMZ Sports has confirmed, adding that the cause was a gunshot wound.

Ramirez was just 28 years old.

"The loss of our son has been the most excruciating experience we have lived," Ramirez's family said in a statement following the release of the tragic news. "Unfortunately, we sometimes don't see the signs. Struggling in silence is not OK."

"It is our commitment to honor our son's life by helping other families. No parent should have to endure the loss of their child. We are very grateful to the Tampa Bay Rays organization, whom we consider our family, for their love and support."

The family continued, "Our son felt loved by all of you. Thank you to our family, friends and everyone else far and near for the outpouring of love and support. God bless you! Rays Up in Heaven."

The Rays announced Ramirez's death on Tuesday -- and many Tampa Bay players, both past and present, mourned the tragedy ... with former Cy Young winner Blake Snell saying, "Man this one hurts."

Ramirez -- who was drafted by the Rays in 2016 -- joined the team as its bullpen catcher in 2019. He had said his goal was to move up in the ranks and perhaps one day manage a roster in The Show.

Dave Chappelle was super close to Bob Saget, but something happened just before Bob died that is both regretful for Dave and, as he says, a lesson to everyone about life.

Dave was performing Thursday night in WeHo at the Peppermint Club and told the crowd how Bob had texted him shortly before he died, but Dave never returned the text. He says he was busy, and therein lies the lesson ... you just never know what life holds so act accordingly.

Chappelle was not only a friend of Bob's, he was always there for him when Bob was holding fundraising events for Scleroderma. As you know, Bob's sister died of the disease when she was 47. It tore Bob apart, and he vowed to be a champion in finding a cure ... and that he was.

Then Dave talked about his comedy in 2022 and addressed the criticism over his last Netflix comedy special, which enraged some in the LGBTQ+ community. He said ... "2022, the new me is not going to do any of those transphobic bigoted jokes."

And then it turned ...  "I'm gonna tell you something else, I am not in battle with the transgender community that's ridiculous. I do not blame the Ls, the Gs, The Bs or the Ts ... blame the Jews! Somebody else's fault. Marching for the Netflix."

Bob Saget made a promise to honor his deceased sister just a few weeks before his own death ... and what he said in his final TV interview now feels somewhat eerie.

Bob spoke to his friend, and "CBS Mornings" correspondent, Dr. Jon LaPook a few weeks ago about coping with the loss of his sister, Gay, who was killed by a rare skin disease called scleroderma when she was just 47 years old.

During the interview he had a very poignant description of the moment she passed -- which he somehow managed to punctuate with humor -- and then he added, "I can't watch what happened to my sister happen to more people."

Bob said, "My sister should not be dead. And that's one of the things that's kept me doing this ... will keep me doing this until I'm gone. I'll do it when I'm gone."

Bob's been a champion for the Scleroderma Research Foundation ever since Gay's death in 1994, which was the main reason he sat down with CBS. He said awareness is key in the search for a cure.

And, he was very serious about helping others battling the disease. As we reported, Bob reached out to the family of Sophie Anne Seaman, a 9-year-old girl who was diagnosed 2 years ago. The family told TMZ ... Bob became their lifeline, and also told them he'd keep fighting until there's a cure.

John Mayer and Jeff Ross's trek through L.A. traffic to pickup Bob Saget's car got one of them a keepsake of their dearly departed friend. And, no ... we don't mean Bob's car.

The singer and comedian shared what was clearly a pretty emotional mission for them ... going to LAX to pick up the Prius Bob had left parked at the airport when he flew out of town.

In the video, they reveal how much they had to pay to get the car out of the parking structure -- it wasn't cheap -- but Jeff stepped up to cover the tab, and John explained it was all about getting the receipt.

Jeff admitted he wants to hold onto it as a memory of Bob. John went even deeper, saying it's a way to keep his hand on Bob's shoulder, now that they'll never see each other again.

TMZ broke the story ... Bob was found dead in an Orlando hotel room Sunday, apparently dying in his sleep without suffering.

His good friends are clearly still shaken by the loss, but Jeff did have a few jokes during the car ride to lighten the mood -- he is the Roastmaster, after all.

Bob Saget spent 12 years touring and collaborating with Mike Young ... and now the comedian's opening up about what Bob taught him, and how he plans to pay tribute to him on stage.

Mike was at LAX when he told us ... there's a good reason we've been hearing such glowing things about Bob. Mike says it's not one of those things where people speak kindly because someone's passed ... he makes it clear, Bob was the "real deal."

The comedian backed that up by dishing some details from his years on the road, opening up for Bob -- explaining he was such a nice guy, he'd seen him invite hecklers backstage afterward if he thought he'd hurt their feelings with jokes during the show.

You can tell how much Mike misses his friend and mentor ... he told us how Bob took him under his wing and showed him the ropes in comedy. They'd met for the first time on the set of "Entourage," instantly clicked and Mike started opening for almost all of Bob's standup gigs.

Unfortunately, Mike says he wasn't with Bob for his final show in Jacksonville -- he was scheduled to join him for a show in Palm Beach, kicking off a 20-city tour.

Bob Saget very privately turned a personal tragedy in his life into a mission to spare others similar grief ...  and a 9-year-old girl named Sophie Anne and her parents are forever grateful.

Sophie Anne is afflicted with Scleroderma, a group of rare diseases that involve the hardening of the skin and connective tissues. It's a disease that took the life of Bob's sister, Gay, who died in 1994 at age 47.

Bob became a tireless advocate and fundraiser for the Scleroderma Research Foundation, but we found out he also reached out to families suffering from the illness to offer comfort and support.

Bob found out about Sophie Anne roughly 2 years ago, after she was diagnosed.  Her parents, Martha and Jeff Seaman, tell us they felt they were in the middle of the ocean without any lifeline, when suddenly, Bob came into their lives.

Bob sent the little girl personalized videos, always with comfort and hope ... "We are going to find a cure, sending lots of love."

Bob knew how the disease affects an entire family, so he offered support to Sophie Anne's sister with a school paper. The paper she chose to write, "Bob Saget: My Everyday Hero." We're told Bob was incredibly patient and candid about his life ... spending more than 30 minutes with her on the phone.

It didn't stop there. Just a few months ago, Bob invited Sophie Anne's parents to his show in North Carolina. He comped their tickets, meals and brought them backstage after his show.

The Scleroderma Research Foundation is benefiting from the massive goodwill embodied in Bob. More than 1,200 people have donated a total of more than $80,000. And, people are learning about the disease because of Bob's good work.

Ronnie Spector, the lead singer of the famed, girl group, The Ronettes -- famous for songs like "Be My Baby," has died.

Ronnie's family said she died Wednesday after a brief battle with cancer, in the arms of her husband.

The Ronettes were trailblazers ... the group formed in 1957 with Ronnie, her sister, Estelle and her cousin, Nedra.

Here's how big the Ronettes were ... in 1965, they were voted the third top singing group in England, trailing only The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

The group's trajectory soared when they hooked up with legendary music producer, Phil Spector, who created the famous "Wall of Sound."

Among their hits, in addition to the 1963 smash, "Be My Baby," they scored with "Walking in the Rain," "Baby, I Love You," and "Chapel of Love." They also did a number of hit XMAS songs, including, "Frosty the Snowman," "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," and "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree."

The Ronettes were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.

Ronnie married Phil Spector in 1968, but it was short-lived ... they separated in 1972. The way the story goes ... she fled their home barefoot because Phil had hidden all of her shoes to prevent her from leaving. He also put barbed wire around the perimeter of their home to keep her from escaping.

Ronnie, along with the other members of the group, sued Phil Spector in 1988 for unpaid royalties.

Ronnie had a resurgence of popularity in the mid-'80s... she sang on Eddie Money's hit song, "Take Me Home Tonight."

And, get this ... The Ronettes scored their second, top 10 hit just 2 weeks ago, when "Sleigh Ride" reached #10 on the Billboard Charts.

Ronnie remarried in 1982 to her manager, Jonathan Greenfield. They have 2 sons.

Chris Dickerson -- the first Black Mr. America and first openly gay man to be Mr. Olympia -- died after a reported heart ailment. He was 82 years old.

Dickerson's friend, Bill Neylon, told the Washington Post Chris had died at a hospital in Fort Lauderdale, FL on December 23 ... after struggling with complications to his heart.

Neylon added Chris had been staying in a rehabilitation center in Florida prior to his death.

Dickerson -- who stood just 5'6" inches tall -- was a pioneer in his industry ... winning the crown of Mr. America in 1970 and Mr. Olympia in 1982.

Some of his most notable wins were victories at Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness Grand Prix competitions in multiple states.

The legendary bodybuilder had a storied career spanning more than three decades ... winning 50 titles during that time.

Chris had suffered a broken hip in 2020 -- he also experienced a heart attack and contracted COVID-19 before his passing, Bill told the outlet.

At least one of Young Dolph's murder suspects also used his gun to carjack the Mercedes-Benz used as a getaway car in the fatal shooting ... according to cops.

The suspected killer's alleged crime spree is all laid out in new legal docs obtained by TMZ ... and police say the carjacking went down in Memphis, a week before Dolph's murder.

In the docs, cops say a woman in a white Mercedes-Benz told them she was approached by 2 men armed with AR-style guns and they demanded her car. She also told cops one of the men hit her with the muzzle of a gun before she got out of the car and fled on foot.

And, get this ... cops say the woman told them one of the men ended up chasing her down because he couldn't start the car, forcing her back inside the ride at gunpoint and hitting her on the back of the head with his gun and demanding she starts the car.

Police say one of the men drove off in the white Benz, while the other followed in a dark-colored sedan ... and the Mercedes was used in a series of crimes, including Dolph's murder.

Remember ... detectives tracked down the getaway car to a Memphis-area home shortly after Dolph was killed.

In the docs, police say they dusted the car for fingerprints and got a match for Cornelius Smith.

As we previously reported, the other suspect, Justin Johnson, also has a connection to the Benz ... because he shot a music video at the home where the car was found.

Bob Saget's death has devastated his family, friends and fans, but there's one tiny bit of solace ... we're told based on what has surfaced from the investigation, there's evidence he died in his sleep without suffering.

Sources familiar with the investigation tell TMZ ... Bob was "tucked in bed" when his body was discovered Sunday at around 4 PM ET. As we reported, the lights were off in his room at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Orlando.

We're told Bob had called his wife before going to bed and also tweeted how happy he was to be back on stage.

We're told as the day wore on, from morning to afternoon, his wife became concerned because Bob was supposed to be on a flight returning to L.A., and when she couldn't reach him she called the hotel. That's when security entered his room and discovered his body.

As we reported, although the official cause of death won't be known for 10 to 12 weeks, the operating theory is that he suffered either a stroke or a heart attack.

There's a new tribute to Betty White in town, but this one isn't just about honoring Betty ... it's about promoting the cause closest to her heart.

Corie Mattie is responsible for the new mural that's been installed on L.A.'s famed Melrose Ave. She says the piece took her roughly 15 hours to complete and includes the mission statement ... "Be More Like Betty."

Even cooler is the fact it's got a way for you to do just that.

Corie added a QR code on the mural which fans can scan to donate directly to wagmorpets ... an org supporting dog rescues. She tells us, Betty "loved animals so I thought it would be a good idea if people wanted to pose in front of it, this will go directly to [the] nonprofit."

The artist just figured the tribute was the perfect gift back to Betty ... who famously donated to and supported animal rescues for years. Corie's mural is right in line with a movement Betty's fans have started online with the #BettyWhiteChallenge.

The hashtag encourages people to donate to their local rescues and animal shelters.

As far as the mural itself... Mattie told us she felt Betty was the epitome of a "perfect human" who was way ahead of her time in promoting a more inclusive world. She says that's why she included the line, "Be More Like Betty."

Tragic news ... the Tampa Bay Rays announced Tuesday bullpen catcher Jean Ramirez died unexpectedly this week. He was just 28 years old.

No further details surrounding his passing were provided.

"He brought so much passion and energy each day to our clubhouse and bullpen, and his love for the Rays and baseball was evident to all who interacted with him," Rays manager Kevin Cash said.

"Jean will be deeply missed."

Added former Rays superstar pitcher Blake Snell, who won a Cy Young in Tampa, "Man this one hurts."

Ramirez was picked by the Rays out of Illinois State Univ. in the 28th round of the 2016 MLB draft ... and he went on to play catcher in the team's minor league system for 3 seasons.

Ramirez then joined the big league club as its bullpen catcher in 2019 -- and had said his ultimate goal was to move up in the ranks and one day manage a roster in The Show.

"He exuded so much joy in all he did, and his kind heart was truly a gift to all," Rays' president of baseball operations Erik Neander said.

"As we process this unexpected and difficult loss, we are grateful for the times we shared with Jean."

Bob Saget's final comedy show was a mixed bag of highs and lows that was chock-full of gratitude for what he loved most ... entertaining people

Murray Beard -- who was at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall in Jacksonville, where Saget performed Saturday night -- tells us he remembers Bob being absolutely thrilled to be on stage in front of audiences again ... something Beard says he mentioned time and again throughout his 2-hour set.

One thing Beard remembers well ... Bob's energy, which was very, very high. From his eye, nothing seemed off about Bob's demeanor.

Michelle Johnson, who was also at the show, backs up Beard's observations ... she adds Bob was a bit all over the place with his feelings, going from jubilant to pensive in a flash.

She says, yes, he did express how happy he was to be performing again ... while also repeatedly going back to the topic of comedians who'd passed away. While she didn't mention a name, you gotta imagine Bob talked about Norm Macdonald, who died last year. The two of them were super close.

3x Olympic track star, Deon Lendore has tragically died after a three-car crash in Texas, TMZ Sports has confirmed.

He was only 29.

The Texas Department of Public Safety tells us Lendore was driving westbound on FM 485 in Milam County in his 2015 Volkswagen Jetta on Monday, when it crossed over the center line and "sideswiped a vehicle" coming the opposite way.

Lendore continued and drifted over the center line again crashing into a 2018 Infiniti SUV head-on.

Texas DPS says Lendore was pronounced dead at the scene and the driver of the Infiniti, a 65-year-old woman, was transported to the nearby hospital with "incapacitating injuries".

The driver that was sideswiped suffered no injuries.

The Trinidadian sprinter competed in 3 Olympics -- including the 2020 Tokyo games -- and won the bronze medal in the 4x400 meter at the 2012 games in London.

Lendore also won silver in the World 4x400m in 2015 and is a three-time world indoor bronze medalist.

He's also a multi-time champ at Texas A&M and was currently a volunteer coach for the 400 and 800-meter student-athletes.

Several track stars reacted to the tragic news on social media, 2x Olympian Gwen Berry wrote, "Wow... Rest in Power."

"One thing I learned last year was the importance of LIVING," Berry said, "do what you want… deal with what you want… love who you want. Don’t DIE just to LIVE.  You LIVE then DIE.. I’ve been happier ever since."

PUMA also released a statement, saying "We are deeply saddened by the passing of Deon Lendore, who has been a part of the PUMA Family since 2017."

"We are honored that he had chosen us to be by his side for a large part of his successful track & field career. Our thoughts are with his family. Rest in peace."

Bob Saget's cause of death might not be determined for weeks, but law enforcement working the case see signs pointing to a sudden medical emergency -- specifically a heart attack or stroke ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... authorities involved in the investigation say the position in which Bob's body was found, and a lack of evidence supporting drug use or foul play are the main reasons they suspect a heart attack.

TMZ broke the story ... Bob was found in his Ritz-Carlton Orlando hotel room by security. Cops say the comedian was lying face-up on the bed, with his left arm across his chest, and his right arm lying beside him. We're told the hand on the chest could point to a heart attack.

Our sources say authorities are exploring Bob's revelation last week that he'd recently battled COVID-19. Developing blood clots has been reported as a possible complication from the virus.

Of course, we're told a final cause can't be determined until the medical examiner gets Bob's toxicology results. The Orange Co. M.E.'s Office says it could take 10-12 weeks to complete.

Saget performed a standup show in Jacksonville Saturday night before making the 2-hour trek to Orlando.

Jimmy Kimmel remembered Bob Saget Monday night ... in an emotional monologue that left him in tears.

Jimmy broke down as he reminisced about Bob ... describing his friend as "the sweetest man" as he gave us a glimpse into his character ... “He always had a compliment. He’d write sometimes just to tell me he loved me and I know he did that for many people … He had something funny to say about everything and nothing bad to say about anyone."

He read one of Bob's emails, reflecting on their families and kids ... "One night soon let’s go out and have some meat and some good damn drinks and talk about how lucky we are that we have them."

Saget was 65 when he died in his hotel room Sunday in Orlando. As we reported, although the cause of death will not be known for several months, investigators say there is evidence Bob might have died from a heart attack or stroke.