Celebrity Death

Brandon Clarke's body has officially been cleared to be released to his family ... but the mystery surrounding his sudden death remains unclear.

According to the Los Angeles Medical Examiner's website, the ME has declared the NBA star's body ready for release, however his cause and manner of death is currently deferred ... pending additional testing as authorities investigate.

As we previously reported, Clarke’s death came just days before he was due in court to face multiple criminal charges, including trafficking a controlled substance and felony fleeing.

The Los Angeles Fire Department PIO confirmed to TMZ Sports they responded to a medical emergency call around 5 PM on Monday ... and when paramedics got to the scene, the 29-year-old male was declared deceased.

TMZ Sports confirmed his death is being investigated as a possible overdose ... with officials finding drug paraphernalia inside the home the Memphis Grizzlies player was staying at.

Jason Collins -- the NBA's first openly gay player -- has died at 47 years old after a battle with brain cancer, the league announced.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver released a statement on the loss ... saying, "Jason Collins’ impact and influence extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA and larger sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations."

"He exemplified outstanding leadership and professionalism throughout his 13-year NBA career and in his dedicated work as an NBA Cares Ambassador," he added. "Jason will be remembered not only for breaking barriers, but also for the kindness and humanity that defined his life and touched so many others."

Brandon Clarke -- power forward for the Memphis Grizzlies -- died on Monday, TMZ Sports has learned. He was only 29 years old.

His passing is being investigated as a possible overdose.

Clarke was the 21st overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder, and immediately traded to Memphis.

Brandon Clarke's death is being investigated as a possible overdose ... with officials finding drug paraphernalia inside the home the Memphis Grizzlies player was staying at on Monday, TMZ Sports has confirmed.

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a medical emergency call around 5 PM on Monday ... and when paramedics got to the scene, Clarke was declared deceased, first reported by NBC4.

An autopsy will determine the cause and manner of death.

The NBA is devastated by Brandon Clarke's death ... with the Memphis Grizzlies player's teammates over the years sharing heartfelt tributes on social media.

Kyle Anderson, who had two stints with the Grizzlies, said he was "so f***in hurt" by the loss ... adding, "I love u so much brother i wish i coulda been there for u im so f***in hurt man."

Ja Morant published a picture of them together with a caption that read, "love you broski. gone way too soon. it's bigger than basketball."

"still our goat BC15."

It's been three months since the untimely death of James Van Der Beek ... and his family is still reeling from the unimaginable loss.

His wife Kimberly posted a lengthy IG post Tuesday with snaps of James and his kids ... and it really pulls on the heartstrings.

The beloved actor's widow wrote in part ... "To say I'm heartbroken is a severe understatement. Words just don't capture what grief is. The comforts of shock have worn off. The reality is settling in... and I miss him. We all miss him."

Brandon Clarke was seemingly happy and healthy in the days leading up to his tragic death at just 29 years old, his barber tells TMZ Sports.

Clarke, who passed away Monday night in the Los Angeles area, had been staying in the city with one of his friends from college ... and Brandon seemed to be enjoying the offseason.

In fact, we talked to the guy who cut Brandon's hair on Friday, and he says the hooper seemed perfectly content during the appointment.

The barber says the guys even watched the NBA Playoffs during the haircut, tuning in to the Spurs vs. Timberwolves game.

TMZ Sports broke the story on Tuesday ... Clarke passed away early Monday evening, leaving the sports world stunned.

Everyone from Brandon's teammates to the Grizzlies, and even the NBA expressed condolences over the horrible news.

“We are devastated to learn of the passing of Brandon Clarke. As one of the longest-tenured members of the Grizzlies, Brandon was a beloved teammate and leader who played the game with enormous passion and grit," commish Adam Silver said.

"Our thoughts and sympathies are with Brandon’s family, friends and the Grizzlies organization.”

Renowned film critic Rex Reed has died at the age of 87, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Reed died at home in New York City, a friend told the outlet Tuesday morning.

His final review was published in the New York Observer in November, for the film "Truth & Treason."

Reed was 87.

Hulk Hogan's former accountant is facing a slew of federal charges for allegedly stealing more than $890,000 from a "public figure" in Florida, TMZ Sports has learned.

The wrestling legend is not identified as the victim.

Melissia Gauthreaux has been charged with six counts of wire fraud, after the feds say she used her business, Accounting Resources and Management Services, to embezzle enormous amounts of money between 2017 and 2021.

Diane Keaton’s daughter is remembering her late mother with a deeply emotional Mother’s Day post, marking her first holiday without the iconic actress.

In a heartfelt message shared online, Keaton's daughter, Dexter "Dexie" White, wrote ... "First Mother’s Day without you. I miss you more than words can say."

The caption continues with ... "Missing her voice, her hugs, her presence, and everything that made her home. I love you, mom" along with three photos of Dexie and her late mother.

Michael Pennington, who played Death Star Commander Moff Jerjerrod in "Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi" has died.

The acclaimed actor passed away Sunday, according to a report from The Telegraph.

Michael was born on June 7, 1943, in Cambridge, England and began his on-screen career back in 1965 with a supporting part in the BBC miniseries "The War of the Roses."

Martin Short is speaking candidly about the devastating loss of his daughter, Katherine, revealing she battled serious mental health struggles for years before her death.

In an emotional interview with "CBS News Sunday Morning", the comedy legend described the tragedy as “a nightmare for the family,” while reflecting on the painful reality of severe mental illness.

Short explained that he’s come to view mental health conditions the same way people understand physical diseases like cancer -- something he knows personally after losing his wife, Nancy Dolman, to ovarian cancer in 2010.

Todd Meadows -- the star of "Deadliest Catch" who died while filming Season 22 -- said fishing in Alaska was one of his "dreams" ... right before the tragedy that claimed his life.

Discovery Channel released a behind-the-scenes clip of Meadows on YouTube Friday ... in which he says it has "been one of my dreams and goals to make it up here. I’ve been to Alaska a few times, but never to fish, just to vacation and to hang out with family.”

He says he took the gig to teach his kids -- he was a father of three -- that if they work hard, they could achieve any goal they set their minds to.

Ashlee Jenae’s fiancé Joe McCann has been given back his passport and will be returning home to the U.S. following Ashlee's shocking death earlier last month ... TMZ has learned.

Joe McCann's lawyer, Edward Andrew Paltzik, tells TMZ ... authorities in Tanzania returned Joe's American passport to him yesterday after he remained in Tanzania for nearly a month while cooperating with authorities.

Edward clarifies this was not a newly-issued passport from the State Department and explains it was Joe's actual passport that he voluntarily handed over to authorities the day after Ashlee's death. Tanzanian authorities chose to give it back to Joe on Thursday.

Michael Madsen's sons just beat out their own mother in a legal battle for control over his estate ... TMZ has learned.

Two of Michael's four kids, Max and Christian Madsen, have been appointed personal representatives of the late actor's estate ... according to new legal docs obtained by TMZ.

Their mom, Michael's ex-wife Jeannine Bisignano, was also vying to be put in charge as a special administrator so she could collect on millions of dollars she claims he owed her when he died.

"The Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Cynthia Bailey is mourning the loss of a dear friend ... famous fashion designer and celeb stylist Kithe Brewster.

Kithe died this week at 60 and Cynthia tells us she's "heartbroken" over his passing.

Cynthia tells TMZ … "He was more than just an incredible fashion designer, he was family to me, like a brother. He was truly a visionary and so far ahead of his time creatively."