Celebrity Death

Late "Deadliest Catch" deckhand Todd Meadows' family is lawyering up ... and they're going to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

Todd fell overboard and died at sea while working on a fishing boat back in February ... and according to new legal docs obtained by TMZ, the family is indicating the wheels are in motion to try to open his probate estate and hold some folks legally responsible for Todd's death.

It's unclear who will be named as a defendant in the forthcoming lawsuit ... Todd was working on the Aleutian Lady and "Deadliest Catch" cameras were rolling when he fell into the Bering Sea off the coast of Alaska and drowned.

"The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" star Mary Cosby is leaning on faith and her fans this Easter -- her first since the devastating loss of her son, Robert.

Mary shared a heartfelt message on socials Sunday, thanking supporters for their prayers, writing, "I see all of you!"

She reflected on the meaning of the holiday while acknowledging the deep grief she's still dealing with.

Dee Freeman, best known for her roles in "The Young and the Restless," "Dexter," and "Sistas," has died following a stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis.

Freeman's publicist Desirae L. Benson announced her death in a statement shared Friday ... saying she passed the day before. Benson said she faced cancer with dignity and resilience, and refused to complain because "on the other side [complaining] doesn’t do you any good" -- something Freeman said in her final moments, according to Benson.

Freeman’s family also confirmed her death in a post on her Instagram page, saying she passed away "peacefully."

TikTok star Marquay The Goat's died from an enlarged heart ... TMZ has learned.

Sources with direct knowledge tells us the autopsy for Marquay Collins -- the social media personality's real name -- was completed recently ... with the manner of death ruled natural, and the cause due to an enlarged heart.

As we previously reported ... a rep for the the Muscogee County Coroner initially told us Marquay's tragic death was believed to be linked to a serious car accident he was involved in just a few weeks earlier.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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 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."

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.

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 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.

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.

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 -- 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.

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.