Celebrity Death

Everyone who potentially saw the tragic golf cart accident involving John Elway and his agent, Jeff Sperbeck, has been interviewed by cops ... and there is still no evidence to suggest a crime occurred, TMZ Sports is told.

According to Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, police officers have spoken to all parties who were in the area near where Sperbeck fell off an Elway-driven ride back on April 26 ... and "there is no evidence or statement to indicate this is nothing more than a tragic accident."

Bianco added in his Thursday statement to TMZ Sports, "We determined the case would remain open until we contacted all residents who might have video of the path traveled."

Diego Maradona's healthcare team, who allegedly neglected the soccer legend so badly he died, will NOT be found guilty in court -- at least not immediately -- after a mistrial was declared in an Argentine court.

The case against seven healthcare workers, charged with homicide with eventual intent, was derailed after one of the three judges overseeing the case, Julieta Makintach, was revealed to have appeared in a documentary that touched on Maradona's death.

Makintach stepped down earlier this week, but it wasn't enough to preserve the case. On Thursday, prosecutors were told they'd need to start all over.

A new trial date has not yet been set.

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino insists convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was not murdered in jail ... and he says there's video to prove the wealthy financier killed himself in his cell, and it'll soon be released.

Thursday morning, Bongino was on "Fox & Friends," where he disclosed the existence of video from Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan ... and he claims the footage shows no one else was involved in Epstein's death.

Bongino -- a conservative talk show host recently appointed to his FBI position by President Trump -- said last week he and FBI Director Kash Patel had reviewed the evidence and concluded Epstein did, in fact, end his own life. Still, plenty of people remained unconvinced.

"Child's Play" star Ed Gale was suffering debilitating illnesses in the months leading up to his death, and he was on probation for solicitation of a minor ... TMZ has learned.

Gale -- who landed the part of Chucky in a few of the "Child's Play" horror films -- pled no contest to arranging a meeting with a minor for lewd purposes in March 2024, according to court records.

As part of his sentence, Gale was on probation and had to register as a sex offender and enroll in sex offender counseling classes.

Guitar icon and legendary performer Rick Derringer died on Memorial Day -- and it's because his heart suddenly gave out, TMZ has learned.

Rick's longtime wife Jenda Derringer tells TMZ he died "peacefully" after being taken off life support Monday night following a medical episode.

His caretaker and close friend, Tony Wilson, tells us he had a triple bypass just two months ago but was doing well. He adds RD seemed totally fine over the weekend -- but on Monday night, as he was getting ready for bed and reaching for his favorite pillow, he went into what he described as some sort of shock and later died at the hospital in Ormond Beach, Florida.

"Duck Dynasty" patriarch Phil Robertson is dead ... according to his daughter-in-law.

Korie Robertson -- Phil's son Willie's wife of more than 30 years -- posted the news to Facebook Sunday ... saying Phil was a man of God, who always tried to remind people that death only meant returning to God's kingdom.

She thanked fans for their thoughtful prayers ... and, she promises the family will continue to honor him and his legacy.

Daniel Williams was a "supportive and positive" soul who was celebrating his 14th anniversary on the day he died in a plane crash in San Diego ... this according to his fiancée.

Hannah Ray, longtime partner of The Devil Wears Prada Drummer, shared a loving message on Instagram about Daniel ... telling her followers that her life has fallen into shambles -- adding she can't imagine never seeing or touching Daniel again.

She calls Williams her best friend, partner and biggest fan ... adding they had the kind of love you may only find once in a lifetime.

The former drummer for the metal-core band The Devil Wears Prada was killed in a plane crash early Thursday morning in San Diego, TMZ has learned from his family.

Larry Williams tells TMZ ... his son, Daniel, was among the victims of the Cessna crash around 4 AM, which set part of a residential neighborhood of U.S. Navy-owned housing on fire. Several people on the ground were hurt in the fire and one home was destroyed.

Larry tells us the family is confident he was on the plane and they know there were no survivors -- but they have yet to get an official confirmation from authorities, which is making the entire situation even worse.

Georgia O'Connor -- an undefeated British boxer -- has died at the age of 25 ... months after revealing her cancer diagnosis and just three weeks after getting married.

O'Connor's promoter -- Boxxer -- announced her passing in a statement on Thursday ... calling her a "True warrior inside and outside the ring."

"The boxing community has lost a talented, courageous and determined young woman far too soon."

George Wendt, famous for his starring role in the long-running NBC sitcom "Cheers," is dead.

Family sources tell TMZ ... he died early Tuesday morning, passing peacefully in his sleep at his home.

The official cause of death is unclear.

George's family is remembering him as "a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him" ... and they say he will be missed forever.

11:20 AM PT -- TMZ obtained the coroner's report from the Parish of Natchitoches ... Latonya Pottain died from "acute on chronic congestive heart failure." No autopsy will be performed, since the death is considered due to natural causes. Pottain was taken from an inpatient medial rehab facility at the time of her death.

Latonya Pottain -- best known for being featured on the reality TV show "My 600-lb Life" -- has died of natural causes in Louisiana, TMZ has learned.

Pottain passed away Saturday night at CHRISTUS Highland Medical Center in Shreveport, LA, according to the Natchitoches Parish Coroner’s Office. The coroner tells us the preliminary investigation found Pottain died from congestive heart failure.

Pottain's brother also told TMZ  ... family members visited Latonya at her home Saturday morning, and they noticed she was having trouble breathing. Her brother said Pottain told them she was extremely uncomfortable. On top of that, she didn't look well.

Natalia Bryant's all grown-up and leaving school behind for now ... 'cause she just graduated from USC's prestigious film department.

The daughter of Kobe and Vanessa Bryant walked across the stage in her cap and gown Saturday ... and, dozens of photographers were on-hand for her special moment.

One caught her walking with her entourage back to her car with her mom ... decked out in her all white gown and a bright red stole.

Jane Bright, a fan favorite from "Survivor: Nicaragua," is dead.

The reality TV show contestant was found dead in her home Thursday ... according to a social media post from her daughter, Ashley Hammett.

The cause of death is unclear.

Prolific movie actor Joe Don Baker has died at age 89 ... TMZ has learned.

The legendary actor, who appeared in a wide variety of films across decades, died on May 7, according to an obituary from his family Wednesday night. His cause of death was not disclosed.

The character actor grew up in Texas, and after serving in the U.S. Army, he moved to New York City to study acting. He first went into films in the 1960s ... going on to work in more than 50 movies.

"Okay Baby" social media star Preston Ordone's mother is sharing details surrounding the crash that ended her son's life ... and, she's maintaining his car seat was secured in place properly.

Katelynn Ordone shared more details about the accident last month ... starting by thanking everyone who has kept up their support for the family -- before revealing she and her husband, Jaelen, were so severely concussed in the Louisiana crash they remember nothing about it.

To determine exactly what happened, Katelynn says they hired an "independent accident reconstruction expert to thoroughly review the incident."

Adam Sandler shared a touching tribute to the late Hollywood legend Morris the Alligator after his passing this week ... pouring his heart out for his "Happy Gilmore" costar in an emotional social media post.

The actor and comedian said goodbye to the reptile Wednesday morning ... reflecting on the challenges of working with a live gator -- as well as the good times.

"You could be hard on directors, make-up artists, costumers -- really anyone with arms or legs -- but I know you did it for the ultimate good of the film," Sandler said.