Celebrity Death

Former child TV star Adam Rich's death was likely the result of an overdose -- at least according to the investigators who've found evidence supporting that theory.

Law enforcement sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... the manager at Adam's L.A. area apartment building found his body while doing a welfare check Saturday after no one had heard from the actor since Jan. 5. We're told he was found in the bathroom.

We're told officers believe Adam had been deceased for a while at that point ... and our sources say there was a white powdery substance found on the scene, which cops believe to be drugs. Based on that, and Adam's past struggles with drugs, investigators are looking at this as a possible OD. As we previously reported, foul play isn't suspected.

Although this is what law enforcement's thinking at the moment, an official cause of death will not be known until they get back autopsy and toxicology results.

We broke the story ... Adam's family caught wind of his passing this weekend. He struggled with drugs for years -- and was even once arrested for allegedly trying to steal pills from a pharmacy. Adam was on the show "Eight is Enough" from '77 to '81. He was 54.

Former NFL wide receiver Charles Johnson -- who won a Super Bowl with Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in the 2001 season -- died by suicide in July ... a report released Monday by the North Carolina state medical examiner's office revealed.

In the ME documents, obtained by USA Today, officials said Johnson passed away after appearing to overdose on drugs. He was just 50 years old.

Johnson was initially found dead on July 17 inside a hotel room in Raleigh ... one day after his wife had reported him missing. A cause of death had remained a mystery -- until the ME's report was released this week.

Officials said in the docs, according to USA Today, that Johnson had oxycodone, hydrocodone and mirtazapine in his system at the time of his death ... despite having no active prescriptions.

The outlet had previously reported the former NFL wideout had claimed to have suffered disabilities from his time in the league.

Johnson played for the Steelers, Eagles, Patriots and Bills in his nine years in the NFL ... after being picked in the first round of the 1994 draft.

Following his death, the North Carolina high school he had been working at said in a statement he would "be missed by so many, especially your Husky Family."

Christine McVie's life and legacy brought Fleetwood Mac together again to celebrate her memory.

McVie's service was held Monday night at Little Beach House Malibu -- and it was all about celebrating the life and career of the famed singer/songwriter and keyboardist.

Fleetwood Mac members Lindsey Buckingham, Mick Fleetwood, and Stevie Nicks, who called Christine her "best friend in the whole world" were spotted outside the event as they paid their respects and shared some of their favorite memories of McVie.

As we reported ... Christine died in November at 79 after a brief illness.

When she died, the group put a statement out saying, "There are no words to describe our sadness at the passing of Christine McVie. She was truly one-of-a-kind, special and talented beyond measure. She was the best musician anyone could have in their band and the best friend anyone could have in their life. We were so lucky to have a life with her. Individually and together, we cherished Christine deeply and are thankful for the amazing memories we have. She will be so very missed."

Bob Saget's wife Kelly Rizzo is making sure the world remembers her husband on the anniversary of his death ... sharing a heartfelt tribute and requesting that his legacy lives on with the help of a blue checkmark on Twitter.

Kelly took to Instagram Monday, posting a series of pics and videos writing, "One Year. Our hearts are so heavy. How could I not have talked to or seen my loving husband in a whole year? The surreal-ness never subsides. I’ve accepted the reality long ago but it still seems unreal when I see photos or videos of him so full of life."

She also tweeted directly at Elon Musk, asking Bob's Twitter account -- with more than 2 million followers -- get verified, writing, "I saw he’s no longer verified? My husband truly loved Twitter. Out of respect for his legacy, can something be done? Thank you kindly."

She continues, "And the only reason I’m addressing this at all is because I know Bob would be very bummed about this. He’d say “hey, if someone goes to see my page and all the jokes I’ve tweeted over the years, how will they know it’s for sure me!?”"

Prince Harry says he was so distraught over the death of his mother -- Princess Diana -- that he resorted to heavy drinking and taking drugs -- including cocaine -- to deal with all the grief.

Harry made the stunning admission to Anderson Cooper on "60 Minutes" Sunday night as part of the Duke of Sussex's media blitz for his controversial memoir titled, "Spare," which is out tomorrow.

As for the relationship between Harry and his immediate family, it seems fully ruptured. Harry says he would like to clear the air and resume a familial relationship, but based on the public allegations he's made over the last 6 months, it seems like wishful thinking.

Anderson set the stage, asking Harry if he blamed the paparazzi for their alleged role in the 1997 car crash that claimed Diana's life in Paris when he was only 12.

Harry responded, "Yeah, I mean, it was obvious to us as kids the British press' part in our mother's misery and I had a lot of anger inside of me that luckily, I never expressed to anybody."

He continued ... "But I resorted to drinking heavily.  Because I wanted to numb the feeling, or I wanted to distract myself from how … whatever I was thinking. And I would, you know, resort to drugs as well."

In a voiceover, Anderson noted Harry smoked weed and ingested cocaine because the prince felt "hopeless" and "lost" in his late 20's.

Harry then revealed he was unable to cry over his mom's death due to the burden he felt, so he tried experimental treatments using hallucinogenic mushrooms and other psychedelics.

"I would never recommend people to do this recreationally," Harry said. "But doing it with the right people if you are suffering from a huge amount of loss, grief or trauma, then these things have a way of working as a medicine."

He added that the treatments wiped away the idea "that I needed to cry to prove to my mother that I missed her when, in fact, all she wanted was for me to be happy."

To close the painful chapter, Harry said he reviewed the police file containing images showing cameramen snapping photos of Diana lying dead in the car.

He also visited the accident scene to confirm his belief that the paps chasing Diana caused the deadly collision -- instead of his mom's chauffeur, whom the police said was to blame because he had been drinking.

Rising undefeated MMA star Victoria "The Prodigy" Lee -- who competed in ONE Championship in Asia -- passed away last month, her family announced. She was only 18.

Lee's older sister, MMA fighter Angela, broke the sad news via Instagram on Saturday ... saying Victoria died on Dec. 26.

"She has gone too soon and our family has been completely devastated since then," Angela said in the caption.

"We miss her. More than anything in this world. Our family will never be the same. Life will never be the same."

Angela added her baby sister was the best person she knew ... and she was beautiful inside and out.

"We love you Victoria. I love you Sprout. Until the end of time."

Lee was an up-and-coming mixed martial artist ... but recently put her career on hold to focus on graduating from high school.

ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong said she was an "extraordinary martial arts prodigy" and "watched her blossom over the years as a martial artist and a human being."

"I will always remember Victoria for the beautiful and precious soul that she was. May you rest in peace, Victoria. We will all miss you."

Victoria was also a Junior World Champion ... and IMMAF Junior State and World Champion.

Besides Angela, Victoria's brothers -- Christian and Adrian -- are also MMA fighters.

Lee had an undefeated record of 3-0 and dedicated her last win to her parents.

"I am so lucky to have such incredible parents," Lee said in an IG post. "This victory goes 100% to you mom and dad."

Adam Rich, who starred in the enormous hit, "Eight Is Enough" has died ... TMZ has learned.

A family member tells TMZ ... Adam died Saturday at his L.A. area home. The family member would not reveal the cause of death, but a law enforcement source tells TMZ someone came to his home and found him lifeless. The law enforcement source adds ... this was not foul play.

Adam played Nicholas Bradford, the youngest son on "Eight Is Enough." The series ran from 1977-1981.

He had other credits as well, including "Code Red" in 1981 and "Dungeons & Dragons" in 1983.

Adam made VH1's list of the greatest 100 kid stars, coming in at #73.

He retreated from show business in the '80s because he said he did not like the glare of the spotlight or, for that matter, anything celebrity-related.

Adam took up acting at Chatsworth High School in the San Fernando Valley. His drama teacher also taught Kevin Spacey, Val Kilmer and other big actors.

Sadly, Adam had substance abuse issues, which resulted in a 1991 arrest after he smashed a pharmacy window in an effort to obtain drugs. He was bailed out by Dick Van Patten, his TV dad on "Eight Is Enough." He had other legal issues as well.

Adam's mantra -- "Life is for living, and I live my life to the fullest every day."

Dog the Bounty Hunter is making sure his late wife Beth Chapman gets to reunite in the ever after with her beloved mother, who recently passed away.

A rep for Dog tells TMZ … Beth's mom, Bonnie Joan, died in November, and one of her final wishes was to be laid to rest with her daughter. Dog heard about the request and wanted to make it happen.

We're told Dog gave some of Beth's ashes to her sister Melinda, who also has their mom's ashes. The mother-daughter duo had a rocky relationship, but we're told they made sure to mend fences before Beth passed in 2019.

You'll recall, Beth died at 51, following a long battle with cancer -- and afterward Dog held a ceremony in Hawaii, where the couple lived part-time, to spread her ashes.

We're told he used ceremonial ashes for that ceremony, but some of Beth's actual remains have been spread in other places that were important to her.

Stephen "tWitch" Boss' wife, Allison Holker, is paying tribute to her late husband just one day after he was laid to rest in a private funeral with friends and family.

Holker took to Instagram Friday, posting a video montage of tWitch with his Allison and his family while Rihanna's song "Lift Me Up" played in the background.

Allison writes, "To my husband, best friend, babe, Chee-chalker, Superman and father of my children I LOVE YOU FOREVER and ALWAYS! We will forever remember you as the true beacon of light that you were and we will continue to cast your light and love throughout the world. Thank you for our incredible memories and our beautiful life shared together."

TMZ broke the story, Allison and Stephen's closest loved ones gathered Friday in Los Angeles for a private funeral. We're told a more public tribute will happen at a later date.

It was almost a month ago when tWitch died by suicide in a Los Angeles motel. Law enforcement sources told us he took an Uber to the location less than a mile from his home and turned off his phone so no one could contact him.

Earl Boen, best known for his reoccurring role in the 'Terminator' franchise, has died.

A family member tells TMZ the veteran actor passed away Thursday in Hawaii, but wouldn't disclose a cause or the specifics of his death.

Earl is best remembered for his role as Dr. Peter Silberman the 'Terminator' series. However, he racked up other film credits in the '80s such as ... "Battle Beyond the Stars," "The Man with Two Brains" and "Alien Nation."

He also appeared in "Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult" in 1994, and "Nutty Professor II: The Klumps" in 2000.

Earl is survived by his wife, Cathy. His first wife, Carole, passed away in 2001.

He was 81.

Marcio Freire -- a big wave surfer whose career was so iconic it was featured in the popular 2016 "Mad Dogs" documentary -- is dead after a tragic accident in the water in Portugal.

The Brazilian surfing veteran had been hitting the massive waves at Praia do Norte beach in Nazare on Thursday, practicing his tow-in ... when authorities say he fell off his board.

According to the Portuguese National Maritime Authority, rescuers found the 47-year-old in cardio-respiratory arrest ... and immediately started "resuscitation maneuvers on the sand."

However, Freire didn't make it despite the life-saving attempts.

The surfing world was rocked by the news ... with Nic von Rupp mourning the loss in an emotional social media post.

"We surfed all day, it was perfect, clean, barrels, Márcio was stoked had that huge smile. With that smile is how I’m going to remember him."

Added Hawaiian surfing star Matt Meola in an Instagram post of his own, "Man what a sad day for surfing. Hard to imagine somebody who seemed so big and invincible is gone."

Freire -- one of the three "Mad Dogs" surfers who victoriously rode the "Jaws" wave in Hawaii -- had been seen just moments before his death smiling and enjoying the waves.

Quavo broke weeks of silence today via his Takeoff tribute song, "Without You" ... an act of therapy French Montana says he got to witness leading up to the track's release!!!

TMZ Hip Hop linked with French Thursday in Queens, where he revealed he was privy to Quavo's new track before it dropped, and shared a recap from the star-studded NYE blowout in St. Barts.

French says he did his best in cheering up Quavo and even gave him advice from the heart ... which he says was, basically, don't wallow in depression for the rest of your life.

Drake, Diddy, Yung Miami, Lil Baby and Meek Mill were among the celebs partying last weekend on the Caribbean island, and French pretty much confirmed what fans' speculated based on pics of Quavo down there -- that he's still reeling from Takeoff's death.

French thinks Takeoff would want Quavo to keep grinding, and he's happy to see him making music again ... but he isn't naive about the pain he's feeling.

FM actually dealt with the death of his best friend and Coke Boys artist Chinx during a pivotal time in his career.

Chinx was gunned down in May 2015 and his widow, Janelli Caceres-Pickens, recently compiled an album to keep his musical legacy alive, much like French says Diddy did for Biggie after his 1997 murder.

Quavo has honored his late nephew and Migos co-captain Takeoff on his new track … and it’s incredibly moving material.

For the new single "Without You," Quavo created a lyric visualizer featuring him sitting solemnly in the studio … as a giant blunt burned in his hand.

The lyrics are just as somber … Quavo laments over the good times he and Takeoff shared while also shedding light on the fact that the family took the loss hard this past Christmas.

The video concludes with Quavo’s lyrics being folded into a paper rocket ship and blasting off into space, a clear tribute to Takeoff’s rocket mantra.

The timing of the track's release doesn't appear to be a coincidence, either.

The suspect charged with murdering Migos rapper Takeoff is no longer behind bars.

Patrick Xavier Clark posted $1 million bond and walked out of Harris County Jail in Texas Wednesday night.

His initial bond was set at $2 million, but the court dropped the amount after his lawyers, Carl Moore and Letitia Quinones, argued it was excessive and, therefore, unconstitutional. Texas law requires that bond not be used to hold defendants (i.e. financially speaking) ... but rather to ensure their return to court. Clark surrendered his passport to the judge.

Now that Clark is out ... he must abide by the conditions of his release. According to court documents, he will submit to house arrest and have no contact with certain people connected to the case -- including Takeoff's family and music exec J Prince and his relatives. Clark is also barred from possessing deadly weapons and must wear a GPS monitor so law enforcement can track his movements.

As we reported ... Clark was arrested in December and charged with the murder of Takeoff. Police tied Clark to the crime mainly by using surveillance and cell phone footage to identify him.

TMZ broke the story ... Takeoff and his Migos collaborator, Quavo, were partying with about 30 people at a bowling alley in Houston on Nov. 1. Video shows some of the attendees getting into an altercation, which quickly escalated into violence.

Clark allegedly pulled a gun and squeezed off several shots ... Takeoff was fatally struck in the head and torso. What's worse ... the hip hop star was an unarmed innocent bystander, who had NO involvement in the initial argument.

Stephen "tWitch" Boss is getting an emotional goodbye from those closest to him this week ... with a larger gathering planned for the future to properly honor him en masse.

Sources within tWitch's inner circle tell TMZ ... the late media personality is being laid to rest Wednesday afternoon in Los Angeles, in what we're told is going to be a small and intimate funeral attended by close family.

We're told there is going to be a larger celebration of life ceremony in the near future, which will be held for close friends and the people who Stephen considered his family.

Presumably, the larger celebration would include Ellen DeGeneres and staff members from her show -- on which tWitch served as the DJ for years. The folks from "So You Think You Can Dance" would also likely be on the extended list for the memorial down the road.

TMZ broke the story ... tWitch took his own life last month, leaving behind a suicide note alluding to past struggles. Despite issues he was obviously dealing with, there didn't seem to be any sign, outwardly, that something was wrong ... as his death took everyone by surprise.

There has been an outpouring of tributes made in his honor from the entertainment industry and beyond -- including heartfelt condolences sent by Ellen herself.

He was 40.

RIP

YSL rapper Lil Keed's died of natural causes stemming from a battle with eosinophilia ... according to officials.

As we reported, the 24-year-old died in May 2022, and on Tuesday, The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner revealed his death was linked to eosinophilia, a condition defined to be caused by "a parasitic infection, an allergic reaction or cancer," according to the Mayo Clinic.

Sources close to the "Trapped On Cleveland" rapper told TMZ Hip Hop at the time he had been complaining of excruciating stomach pain days before his death -- and was recently sober from drugs and alcohol. People first reported the ME's findings.

Keed's passing happened just as Young Thug, Gunna and several other YSL members were arrested on various RICO charges.

Since his death, Keed's brother Lil Gotit has been going the distance in keeping his sibling's name alive ... and free from disrespect.