Celebrity Death

Marvel Comics writer and former Editor-in-Chief Gerry Conway -- who co-created "The Punisher" -- has died at age 73.

Marvel posted the news on Monday ... but it is not clear when Conway died, or how.

Dan Buckley, President of Marvel Comics and Franchise, said in a statement ... "Gerry Conway was a gifted writer. He was thoughtful, deeply attuned to the emotional and moral core of storytelling, and a wonderful and articulate advocate for comics and creators. His writing has inspired all of us at Marvel, and will continue to inspire generations of writers, readers and fans to come."

Of all the contributions he made to the stories of iconic Marvel characters ... he is best known for co-creating the anti-hero character The Punisher. Currently, Jon Bernthal plays the fan-favorite character both on the Marvel TV series and in the upcoming movie "Spider-Man: Brand New Day."

The legendary writer is survived by his wife, Laura Conway.

Marvel extended its deepest sympathies to Conway's family, friends, and fans around the world.

He was 73.

Dylan Carter, a singer from South Carolina who once competed on "The Voice," is dead ... after a car accident in his home state.

Law enforcement tells us ... a person was killed Saturday night in a single-car accident around 11:42 PM on Lowcountry Highway and Smakes in Colleton County. The victim was not identified, but according to local reports, it was Dylan. The singer was set to perform in the Town of Moncks Corner on Monday ... but that has since been cancelled.

Dylan appeared on "The Voice" Season 24 in 2023 ... he was on the show for a couple of weeks after his blind audition made all four judges turn their chairs around in a show of support ... singing Whitney Houston's "I Look to You."

Late Angels great Garret Anderson was dealing with multiple medical conditions before he died earlier this month, according to the local coroner.

While Anderson passed away from acute necrotizing pancreatitis, the coroner says the Angels' all-time hits leader was also dealing with liver and heart issues.

During the autopsy, it was discovered that the longtime big leaguer had a "massive fatty liver" and "hypertensive-type cardiovascular disease."

Anderson had "severe hepatic steatosis," the most advanced stage of fat buildup in the liver.

Mariclare Costello, best known for playing schoolteacher Rosemary Hunter on "The Waltons," has died at 90.

Her family says she passed away April 17 in Brooklyn, closing out a long and impressive career that also includes the 1971 cult horror flick "Let's Scare Jessica to Death," and starring opposite Martin Sheen in the ABC telefilm "The Execution of Private Slovik."

Mariclare was also a familiar face on Broadway in the '60s and '70s ... but TV fans knew her best as Rosemary on 15 episodes of "The Waltons," before she moved on to costar as the family matriarch in the CBS drama "The Fitzpatricks."

Nedra Talley-Ross, the last surviving original member of The Ronettes, is dead.

The group announced Nedra's death Sunday in a social media post, saying ... "It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Nedra Talley Ross’ passing. She was a light to those who knew and loved her."

Nedra's official cause of death is unclear.

Tragedy in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ... attorney and martial arts influencer Tamyris Teixeira Santos has been found dead on a beach at age 36 -- three days after she was reported missing.

Her relatives identified a body discovered on Botafogo Beach Wednesday ... just a day after it was found, according to local outlet g1.

A forensic report cited by Brazilian outlet Metrópoles says she suffered a stroke while drowning -- oxygen deprivation and water flooding led to severe and fatal brain damage.

Another star of "Storage Wars" has broken their silence about the sudden death of Darrell Sheets ... and this one is quite notable.

Dave Hester posted a video tribute on Thrusday ... saying he was heartbroken to learn Darrell apparently took his own life ... and that he hopes the man is "in a better place."

Not long after we broke the news of Darrell's death ... Dave told TMZ ... he and Darrell played up their fan-favorite heated rivalry for the cameras -- but deep down, they liked one another.

David Wilcock's final moments are even more tragic given what he was dealing with behind the scenes ... 'cause cops tell TMZ he was battling serious financial and health problems leading up to his death.

Law enforcement tells TMZ ... Wilcock made a disturbing 911 call Monday morning, telling dispatch, "I need to leave" and "I will be to the left of the house," while also opening up about ongoing money troubles and health issues. He refused to say whether he was armed or planning to hurt himself.

In dispatch audio obtained by TMZ, authorities are heard in real time explaining the situation ... announcing the call as a "potential suicide" and breaking down the moments they arrived on scene.

We broke the story ... the "Ancient Aliens" regular and bestselling paranormal author died after deputies responded to his Colorado home and found him in a mental health crisis.

Authorities tell TMZ ... deputies approached cautiously, staging nearby until backup deputy arrived due to the unknown threat level.

A&E will pay tribute to Darrell Sheets during this weekend's new episode of "Storage Wars" ... TMZ has learned.

A network source tells TMZ ... the show is currently in the middle of Season 17, with a new episode set to air Saturday, April 25. While Darrell does not appear in the current season, the network plans to honor him with an in-memoriam card during the broadcast.

Leading up to the episode, A&E will also air a marathon of "Storage Wars" from 1 PM to 9 PM, of classic episodes featuring Darrell.

The upcoming season of "Deadliest Catch" will address the death of rookie deckhand Todd Meadows ... but audiences won't see footage from the tragic incident at sea.

Discovery says the series premiere will feature a tribute to Todd -- who died in February while working on the Aleutian Lady -- plus other segments highlighting how his death impacted the crew and the broader fishing community.

The network says Todd will show up in later episodes too.

Patrick Muldoon showed off his humor and energy in the last video he ever sent his sister ... even pulling out his old high school chant in the heartbreaking clip.

The actor's sister, Shana Muldoon Zappa, shared the video to Instagram late Wednesday night ... revealing her brother sent it on Saturday during a preview opening of the new Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Check out the clip ... Muldoon excitedly films a painting of St. Ignatius of Loyola -- before breaking out into a chant.

Zappa explains her bro was a fan of the saint ... and, he went to Loyola High School -- so, the chant is a nod to his football-playing days way back when.

"Storage Wars" star Brandi Passante is honoring Darrell Sheets after his shocking suicide ... saying she's at a "loss for words" in an emotional Instagram post.

She reacted to the heartbreaking news of the A&E star's death Wednesday, saying her heart hurts for his loved ones ... and urged people who are struggling to get help.

She pleaded, in part, "I would like to say to everyone, if you are struggling, if you feel hopeless or like no one cares. I assure you they do!! You are not alone. Please reach out for help." Brandi's emotional message was paired with a selfie with Darrell as well as BTS images of them together.

Darrell Sheets looked happy and in good spirits just hours before his shocking and sudden death.

TMZ has obtained a photo of the fan favorite from "Storage Wars," who was photographed Tuesday around 5 PM at his antique shop in Lake Havasu, AZ ... a place he'd been running since stepping away from reality TV.

A witness tells us Darrell was upbeat and friendly during the encounter ... making the news of his death all the more shocking.

Rene Nezhoda says people online mercilessly cyberbullied Darrell Sheets before his death ... and, he hopes this will serve as a wakeup call to all the online menaces out there.

Nezhoda spoke about Sheets -- who cops found dead in his home early Wednesday morning -- in a video ... admitting the two had their run-ins because they both competed intensely against each other.

Nezhoda says, deep down, he and Sheets were friends ... and he's sad his pal's gone now. He also says he hopes cops will look into cyberbullying claims Sheets made about others as they investigate his death.

"Storage Wars" star Darrell Sheets is dead, TMZ has confirmed.

Lake Havasu Police in Arizona tell TMZ ... Sheets apparently died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Officers responded to a report of a deceased individual at his house at about 2 AM Wednesday, police say. He was pronounced dead at the scene ... his body has been transferred to the Mohave County Medical Examiner's Office.

Angels legend Garret Anderson's cause of death has been revealed ... with officials stating the World Series champion passed away due to complications with his pancreas.

The 53-year-old's tragic death was due to "acute necrotizing pancreatitis." Gallstone disease and alcohol use are the two leading factors for the complication, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

As TMZ Sports previously reported, Anderson suffered a medical emergency at his home in Newport Beach, CA on Thursday ... and dispatch audio detailed an unconscious male amid the request for service.