Influencer Rita Ephrem Dead at 31 After Serious Illness
Brazilian influencer Rita Ephrem died last week ... according to an announcement on her Instagram account.
The social media star had amassed over 300K followers on the platform and had been documenting her experience living with a rare auto-inflammatory disease.
The touching tribute to the content creator roughly translates to say "her story does not end here," noting ... "It lives on in everything she planted within each of us. We carry on with a sense of longing, but also with gratitude for having walked alongside her."
'Drag Race Philippines' Misua Dead at 27 ... Show Stops Production
Misua -- a popular drag queen connected to "Drag Race Philippines" -- has died ... the show announced Thursday.
The star -- government name Jason Elvie Go Ty -- passed away in her sleep, according to the "Drag Race Philippines" remembrance post on Instagram ... which added, "She brought light, artistry, and joy to those around her, and she will be deeply missed." Showrunners did not reveal a cause of death.
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In light of the tragedy, "Drag Race Philippines" production has shut down. The show's staff is in touch with Misua's family, they say ... and the family has asked for privacy at this time.
'The Bachelorette Australia' Konrad Bien-Stephen Dead at 35
Konrad Bien-Stephen -- a contestant on season 7 of "The Bachelorette Australia" -- has died. He reportedly passed Monday night in Melbourne, but no details have been released.
On Thursday, his management confirmed his death "with deep sadness" in a statement to Variety Australia, saying ... "We ask that you respect the privacy of their family during this incredibly difficult time. No further information will be shared at this stage. Our thoughts are with all who loved him."
Konrad's ex-girlfriend, Abbie Chatfield, shared an Instagram story to say she'd known about his passing "for a few days now" and thanked supporters for reaching out.
Florida Democratic Politician Found Dead In Home, Husband Arrested
Nancy Metayer Bowen, a Florida Democratic politician gearing up to run for Congress, was found dead in her home ... and police say her husband has been arrested in connection with her death.
Nancy was the vice mayor and commissioner of Coral Springs ... and local police say they went to her home Wednesday morning for a wellness check and found her dead body.
Cops say Nancy's husband, Stephen Bowen, is in custody and her death is being investigated as a domestic violence incident. Police also say there are no additional suspects.
Chuck Norris Family Rips A.I. Posts About His Death
Chuck Norris' family is warning fans not to believe everything they read ... especially if it's an A.I.-generated post talking about the circumstances surrounding his death.
The family says there have been several A.I.-generated videos and posts circulating online containing false and misleading information about Chuck's death, his health history and the people around him when he died.
The family says there have been fabricated reports of past medical issues and false narratives surrounding family narratives ... and they're asking everyone to not believe or share any info "unless it comes directly from the Norris family or an official family representative."
Drake and Beyoncé Producer Sidney Brown Cause of Death Released
Grammy-winning producer Sidney "Omen" Brown -- who worked with artists like Drake, Beyoncé, Lil Wayne and more -- passed away last year ... and now his cause of death has been released.
According to the medical examiner, Brown passed away from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The manner of death was determined as natural.
The disease -- otherwise known as ASCVD -- is caused by plaque buildup in your arteries.
Anne Burrell Death Scene Photos Show Pills, Empty Medicine Bottles & Cigarettes
Newly released photos of Anne Burrell's death scene show dozens of pills and medicine bottles scattered across the bathroom floor, according to a new report.
The New York City Department released the photos to People, and according to the outlet, the images depict dozens of pills in a dish near the toilet bowl, as well as bottles of Advil, Zyrtec, Motrin, and a ValuMeds allergy-relief antihistamine lying sideways on the bathroom floor." There are also reportedly cigarette butts and a lighter on the floor.
In addition to the photos, People obtained videos of the late Food Network star walking with her husband, Stuart Claxton, through their Brooklyn apartment complex’s exterior gate and to the elevator hours before she took her own life.
Brandy Details Emotional Last Call With Mentor Whitney Houston
Brandy says she got to tell Whitney Houston how much the singer meant to her right before she died ... and she felt the star was changing for the better.
The Grammy winner stopped by "Good Morning America" to discuss her new memoir "Phases" ... and she pulled back the curtain on her final conversation with the music legend -- during which she told Houston just how much the star impacted her.
She says she told Houston she inspired her and loved her ... and despite not knowing Houston would soon pass away, she calls it an "emotional" conversation nonetheless.
Late Comedian Alex Duong Loved Ones Crowdsourcing Young Daughter's College Fund
Actor-comedian Alex Duong's death is putting a lot of emotional and financial stress on his family ... TMZ has learned. But loved ones are rallying around them.
Duong's very close friend and GoFundMe operator Hilarie Steele tells TMZ ... the mounting medical bills from Alex's cancer treatment could add up to $500K or even $1 million ... putting a lot of pressure on his wife, Christina.
Selena Quintanilla Remembering The Late Legend on Anniversary of Her Murder
Today marks 31 years since Selena Quintanilla was tragically murdered. She was shot and killed by Yolanda Saldívar -- who had been president of her fan club and managing her clothing boutiques -- on March 31, 1995.
Last year, Yolanda was denied parole when a board decided she was still a "continuing threat."
The world suffered a tremendous loss when Selena was killed -- but fans are choosing to spend the morbid anniversary celebrating the "Como la flor" singer's life and legacy.
Christopher North Ambrosia Keyboardist Died from Illness After Cancer, Car Accident
Christopher North -- a founding member and keyboardist for '70s and '80s rock band Ambrosia -- died after a bout with pneumonia, TMZ has learned.
His brother, Richard North, tells TMZ ... Christopher was hospitalized for about 3 weeks before he succumbed to complications related to pneumonia.
As we reported, Christopher previously battled throat cancer and was struck by an out-of-control vehicle in Santa Monica last October, which left him hospitalized for about 2 months. His brother tells us he had been admitted to the hospital twice since then.
Ambrosia Founding Member Christopher North Dead at 75
Christopher North -- the founding keyboardist for '70s and '80s rock band Ambrosia -- has died.
The band confirmed North's passing on their Facebook page Monday, writing, "We will always remember 'Northwind' for his fiery, 'intense' stage presence -- a legacy that began when he was first discovered playing in a dimly lit room, his organ topped with a bottle of wine."
The cause of death is unclear at this time, but according to the band, North faced health challenges in recent years, including a "brave and successful battle with throat cancer." He was also hospitalized last year after being struck by a vehicle while walking, according to an October post by Ambrosia lead vocalist David Pack.
Eric Dane First Look at Final TV Role Before Death
HBO Max dropped a new trailer for season 3 of "Euphoria," giving fans a glimpse at Eric Dane's final TV role before he passed.
The actor died last month after battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis -- more commonly known as ALS.
He had filmed his scenes for the upcoming installment of the HBO hit series prior to his passing ... and the new promo includes the first look at his final TV acting appearance.
In the clip, we see his character -- Cal Jacobs -- reunite with Hunter Schafer's character Jules.
House Music Legend DJ Dan Dead at 57
West Coast house music legend Daniel Wherrett -- known as DJ Dan -- has died. No information has been provided about the cause of death.
The sad news was posted to his social media profiles on Sunday, remembering the artist as "one of the most beloved, genre-defying, and genuinely influential pioneers in the history of American electronic music."
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The statement celebrated Dan for blending house, breakbeat and techno genres into "a psychedelic fusion" known as "West Coast House Sound."
The EDM producer was slated to perform at Dead Ringer in Reno, NV on Saturday ... but he never showed, according to Billboard.
A source close to Dan told the mag he hadn't been responding to texts for two days before he passed.
Over the course of his career, DJ Dan had three songs that made Billboard's Dance Club Songs chart -- including "That Phone Track," which topped the list in 2004.
He was 57.
RIP
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Comedian Alex Duong Dead at 42
Beloved comedian and actor Alex Duong -- who appeared on "Jeff Ross Presents Roast Battle" and "Blue Bloods" -- has died after a year-long bout with cancer, TMZ has learned.
Hilarie Steele, a very close friend of the family who was there when he died, tells TMZ ... Alex went into septic shock Friday night and passed away at 11 AM Saturday at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, California, surrounded by family and friends.
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Last year, Alex was diagnosed with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma -- a rare and aggressive cancer -- after experiencing headaches behind his eye. After a biopsy was performed, the tumor was labeled as extremely aggressive, and Alex ended up with an eye patch and rounds of treatment.
Actress Mary Beth Hurt Dead at 79
Mary Beth Hurt -- known for her appearances in films like "Interiors" and "The World According to Garp" -- has died, TMZ has learned.
Mary's daughter Molly Schrader -- who Mary shared with her Oscar-nominated writer-director husband Paul Schrader -- tells TMZ ... Mary passed away yesterday morning from Alzheimer's in Jersey City.
The late actress was surrounded by family, including Paul.
On Facebook, Paul and Molly reportedly released a joint statement, writing, “She was an actress, a wife, a sister, a mother, an aunt, a friend, and she took on all those roles with grace and kind ferocity."