Celebrity Death

Oliver Tree has died after a tragic helictoper crash in Brazil ... according to local authorities.

CNN Brazil -- citing Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro -- reported Tree and 5 others were killed after two helicopters collided above an electric vehicle yard in Southwest Rio de Janeiro Sunday morning.

According to reports ... Tree and four others were in one helicopter -- while only a pilot flew the other. An investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the crash.

Tree was in his helictoper with 4 other people: passengers Lucas Vignale, Gaspar Prim, Lucas Brito Chaves and pilot Alexandre Souza, according to local outlet Metróples. Pilot Charles Marsillac was in the other helicopter alone.

Gene Shalit, the legendary film critic who -- thanks to his walrus mustache and exuberant personality -- was identifiable as any movie star, has died.

The beloved Hollywood personality and NBC newsman died Friday, his family informed the network.

The exact cause of death was not released ... but family said Gene died peacefully.

The person in control of Nick Reiner’s trust initially refused to pay out money until an investigation was complete, according to Nick’s lawyer. 

TMZ obtained a letter written by Nick’s lawyer on May 11 that was sent to the trustee of Nick’s trust, which was set up by Rob and Michele Reiner.

The trust holds around $1.7 million, per the docs. In his petition, Nick’s lawyer demanded the money to distribute the cut he was owed when he turned 30, two years before he allegedly murdered his parents in their L.A. home.

Nick Reiner may have access to his trust fund very soon ... because TMZ has learned his trustee actually wants a judge to hand over the dough ... and plans to file legal paperwork ASAP to get the money flowing.

Sources connected to the case tell TMZ ... Jodi Montgomery, the trustee of Nick's trust fund, will file court docs next week asking a judge to sign off on Reiner's petition asking for money he says was supposed to be paid out to him when he turned 30 in 2023.

Our sources say Jodi will make the request ... but a judge will have the final say on whether to release the money as Nick sits in jail awaiting trial.

Thailand's Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol is dead after spending 3 years in a coma.

Bajrakitiyabha, also known as "Princess Bha," died on Thursday at a hospital in Bangkok ... according to the Bureau of the Royal Household.

She was originally hospitalized in December 2022 after she fell unconscious due to an illness while training dogs. The palace said Bajrakitiyabha had a mycoplasma infection, per the Associated Press.

"Top Gun: Maverick" actor James Handy not only died from being viciously stabbed, but he also suffered "neck compression," which was another huge factor in his demise, according to the Los Angeles Medical Examiner.

The M.E. ruled that Handy was killed by a stab wound to the torso and neck compression, which is when the spinal cord or the nerve roots of the neck are squeezed or put under abnormal pressure.

As we reported, Handy, 81, was allegedly attacked with a knife by his girlfriend's son, Michael Gledhill, inside Handy's L.A. home on June 3, authorities said.

Brandon Sheets is making sure his late father's legacy doesn't wind up in storage.

The son of late "Storage Wars" star Darrell Sheets is assuring fans "The Gambler" won't be forgotten anytime soon ... revealing the family plans to keep Darrell's social media accounts and his Arizona antique store up and running in his honor.

Check out Brandon's video ... he's asking fans to stick with them as they work to preserve Darrell's memory and keep his signature spirit alive.

John Davis -- the beloved host of "Coffee Time with John and Momma" -- is dead after suffering a medical episode during a livestream with his mother ... TMZ has learned.

Police in Jellico, Tennesee tell TMZ authorities were called to a residence just before 5:30 PM Wednesday ... and John was pronounced dead at the scene.

An official cause of death has not been released.

We've reached out to his family ... so far, no word back.

Robert Carradine, the actor best known for his roles in "Lizzie McGuire," "Revenge of the Nerds," and "The Long Riders," had been battling bipolar disorder, severe depression, anxiety, and recurring suicidal thoughts for roughly two decades before his death, his daughter told investigators after his tragic passing ... TMZ has learned.

According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's report, obtained by TMZ, the actor's daughter told investigators her father had struggled with mental illness for about 20 years and had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The report also notes he suffered from severe depression and anxiety and was taking multiple medications.

The M.E.'s report states Carradine checked himself into a Los Angeles psychiatric hospital where he had previously received treatment because he was experiencing ongoing suicidal ideation.

John McClain -- the former executor of Michael Jackson's estate who passed away last month -- had a personal fortune of $20 million and no will ... according to the man who wants to administer his estate.

Warner Wright IV filed paperwork Wednesday asking that he and Zia F. Modabber -- McClain's lawyer -- be named administrators of McClain's estate ... citing urgent business matters as a reason to expedite the process.

Wright says a lease payment on a Malibu property is due ... as well as several "other bills that need to be paid, maintenance issues that need to be handled and managed, creative projects to be preserved, and other regular but time-sensitive matters to address."

Slain actor James Handy's longtime girlfriend says she's shocked by his fatal stabbing ... because his final morning began like so many before ... then ended in tragedy.

Wendy Gledhill -- James' partner of more than 30 years -- spoke to the Daily Mail about her son allegedly stabbing James to death ... and she says she didn't even realize anything was wrong until cops knocked on her door.

Wendy explains James usually got up, made coffee, and grabbed the newspaper ... though, on the day he was killed, she notes he went out to get the paper without starting the brew.

She says ... "I can only assume my son was already out there and they started to argue, from my understanding, on the front yard."

Actor Anthony Guidera -- known for his roles in "The Godfather Part III" and "Species" -- has died after his heart suddenly stopped, TMZ confirmed.

His wife, Valarie, tells TMZ ... on May 11, the couple was in the living room of their Southern California home when Anthony collapsed, and his heart stopped beating.

Valarie said Anthony was rushed to the hospital, where he was put on life support for 3 weeks. Doctors then took him off life support, per his prior directive, so he could be brought him home for a natural death.

Brooke Hogan isn't celebrating the Clearwater Police Department closing the book on Hulk Hogan's death investigation ... telling TMZ she believes authorities botched the case from the very beginning.

After police announced there has been no evidence to indicate Hulk's death was anything other than natural, Brooke tells TMZ she was stunned to see the department publicly thank her for her cooperation ... 'cause she says she felt like an outsider throughout the entire process.

Brooke says ... "There's been a lot of inconsistencies from the BEGINNING. I think CWPD missed the mark by not IMMEDIATELY making this a big investigation and not questioning everything and everybody out the gate. This should have been treated as a taped off, locked down, thorough investigation from day one."

She also says the department's public acknowledgment felt like "a slap in the face." Clearwater police have declined to comment on her statements.

Brooke Hogan called the police days after her father Hulk Hogan’s death to ask about his autopsy ... TMZ has learned.

According to a Clearwater Police Department report, obtained by TMZ, Brooke contacted an officer to see if an autopsy would be done on her dad following his July 2025 death.

The police told Brooke the decision would be made by the Medical Examiner.

Kurt Busch is breaking his silence on his younger brother Kyle Busch's tragic death ... saying it's crushed him.

47-year-old Kurt -- who was nearly seven years older than Kyle -- addressed the devastating loss in a statement posted on social media on Monday ... and it's heartfelt.

“Kyle, your passion, determination, and love for your family inspired everyone who knew you. No trophy, championship, or accomplishment could ever measure the impact you had on my life and on so many others. I will forever be grateful for the memories we made, the lessons you taught me, and the brotherhood we shared. My heart is broken, but I know your spirit will always ride with me,” Kurt wrote on Instagram.

The basketball world is mourning the loss of Stacey King, the former Chicago Bulls big man and longtime broadcaster, who has died at the age of 59.

The Chicago Bulls announced King's passing Sunday, sending shockwaves through the NBA community. A cause of death was not mentioned.

King spent eight seasons in the league after being selected sixth overall in the 1989 NBA Draft by the Bulls and quickly became part of one of basketball's greatest dynasties ... helping the Bulls capture three straight NBA championships alongside Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen during the franchise's legendary early-'90s run.