Celebrity Death

Lil Jon is opening up about the heartbreaking loss of his son, DJ Young Slade ... telling us how writing his upcoming memoir became part of his healing process.

We got the rapper at LAX Tuesday, and he told us his son's February death came as he was trying to finish his book, "I Only Shout So You Can Hear Me."

Rather than leave the memoir untouched, Lil Jon says he went back and added new sections about navigating grief and processing the devastating loss.

A producer who was invited on the doomed helicopter flight that killed Oliver Tree and five others in Brazil says he narrowly escaped tragedy after backing out at the last minute.

Victor Wao revealed on Instagram he was originally supposed to be on the flight Sunday, but his friend, Argentine producer Lucas Vignale, kindly arranged a car ride for him due to his fear of flying ... The New York Post reports.

The change saved Victor's life ... because all six people aboard the helicopter died after it collided with another chopper mid-air in Rio de Janeiro. The others who died were Lucas, YouTuber Gaspi, Lucas Brito Chaves and the pilots of both crafts, Alexandre Souza and Charles Marsillac.

The airships burst into flames and crashed into an electric vehicle yard ... and footage shows first responders surrounding one of the mangled choppers.

Post Malone got emotional remembering Oliver Tree ... dedicating his concert to the late musician after a fatal helicopter crash ... and pouring out some beer for a fallen friend.

Posty took a moment during his Tuesday show in Toronto to honor his late pal, speaking directly to the crowd about Oliver's impact before pouring out some Bud Light.

It was a heartfelt tribute, with Post praising Oliver's art, heart, and soul before addressing him directly ... saying he wanted Oliver to know just how loved he was.

Oliver Tree's girlfriend is speaking out for the first time since he died in a helicopter crash in Brazil ... and she says folks need to shut up about "any other women that Oliver may have been seeing."

Fiona Chernavskaya hopped on social media Wednesday morning and set some boundaries, saying the last thing she needs right now is gossip about Oliver's love life ... claiming they were monogamous and kept their relationship "very intimate."

She thanked those who have been sending kind words and support ... and encouraged folks to show love to others affected by the tragedy as well.

Walter Parazaider -- one of the founding members of rock band Chicago -- is dead ... TMZ has learned.

His wife, JacLynn, tells TMZ ... Walter died at 2:10 AM Wednesday morning while in hospice, with her by his side. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's 6 years ago and ultimately succumbed to the disease.

JacLynn adds ... "He had put up a good fight with Alzheimer's and unfortunately it ended tonight. We are going to miss him for sure ... We were married for 59 years and we had 59 wonderful years."

Francine Beppu died by suicide … TMZ has learned.

According to the Honolulu Medical Examiner's report, obtained by TMZ, the "The Real L Word" star died from hanging and her manner of death was ruled suicide. The report states Beppu was found in her Honolulu home on February 17.

The medical examiner's report says toxicology testing showed the presence of amphetamine and alcohol in Beppu's system at the time of her death.

As TMZ previously reported … Beppu's family said they were "deeply grateful to know how cherished she was and how brightly she will continue to shine," while asking for privacy as they mourned the loss.

Beppu was best known for appearing on the Showtime's reality series "The Real L Word," which chronicled the lives and relationships of LGBTQ+ women in Los Angeles. Her appearance on the series made her a recognizable figure within the LGBTQ+ community.

She was 43.

Nicholas Brendon wanted everything to go to his brother and nothing to go to his ex ... this according to a handwritten will submitted to court by his brother.

Documents were filed Monday by Nicholas' brother, Kelton Schultz, seeking to administer the probate estate pursuant to the terms of a handwritten will.

The docs note Nicholas didn't have a spouse or children -- and there's no estimate for what the estate is worth at this time.

Aldon Smith didn't have any notable health issues before he died suddenly last week ... so says the barber who just cut his hair.

We spoke with Tee Maultsby -- Aldon's barber who interviewed him on an episode of his "Laced Up" podcast -- said he even joked with Aldon recently that the dude still looked like he could dominate on the defensive side of the ball.

Tee says Aldon never said anything about being sick to him -- on or off camera -- and he says Aldon was in the process of turning his life around in recent months.

Kyle Busch's wife just opened up big time about how hard it's been since the NASCAR legend died suddenly last month ... and she shared two moments that'll make fans bawl.

In a heartfelt social media post ... Samantha said one of the most difficult nights she's had since Kyle died ended with a rainbow shining on a pair of his shoes ... which she is convinced was a sign from him.

Samantha also mentioned a moment she experienced in church when a bird was in the building during the service ... and seemed to be paying her all its attention.

Marilyn Monroe's death has been investigated dozens of times since it was ruled a probable suicide in 1962 ... but, in "Celebrity Crime Scene: Marilyn Monroe," TMZ has recreated the movie star's death house using groundbreaking A.I. -- and the revelations will shock you.

Our crime scene investigators blow massive holes in the official story, and raise troubling alternative scenarios ... there's evidence the crime scene was staged, Marilyn didn't even die at home, her affairs with both President John F. Kennedy and his brother, Attorney General Robert Kennedy, led to murder.

"Celebrity Crime Scene: Marilyn Monroe" is now streaming on Hulu.

Kyle Calder, who spent 10 seasons in the National Hockey League, died on Monday after briefly battling an unknown illness, his daughter announced.

He was 47 years old.

Calder, a 5'11" winger, started his NHL career with the Blackhawks in the 1999-2000 season, spending six years in Chicago before stints with the Flyers, Red Wings, Kings, and Ducks in 2009-2010.

Over the course of his decade-long stint in the league, Calder, a 5th round draft pick, played 590 games, scoring 114 goals, 180 assists, and accumulating 294 points.

Kyle's daughter, Madison, wrote a touching and emotional tribute on social media.

Late NASCAR driver Kyle Busch left behind all of his personal property, including his clothes and jewelry, to his widow, Samantha Busch, ... TMZ has learned.

A petition, obtained by TMZ, was filed asking for a man named Clifton Homesley to be named executor of Kyle's estate. Kyle's will was attached to the petition.

The paperwork noted that there is not a potential claim for wrongful death.

Aldon Smith's loved ones are searching for answers after the former NFL star's death ... revealing they are sending his brain to Boston to determine whether he suffered from CTE.

Smith's family hired a legal team to help them investigate what may have contributed to his passing at 36 years old ... and that features several steps, including having his brain examined for damage caused by concussions and other trauma.

Smith was found unresponsive in his truck on Saturday after delivering pizzas to the homeless earlier in the day. A cause of death has not been announced.

Marshawn Kneeland's girlfriend has given birth to his child ... 7 months after he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Catalina Mancera announced Monday their child, named Makhai, was born June 11 ... and she shared some snaps of the little one, including an image of the infant in a onesie with a design of his dad in his Dallas Cowboys jersey woven into the fabric.

Catalina also included a touching video of Marshawn flashing a warm smile as she showed him her positive pregnancy test. Makhai is their first child together.

Aldon Smith spent the final hours of his life giving back ... delivering pizzas to homeless people in California.

Pastor Scott Wagers tells TMZ ... Bay Area business owner Amir Shirazi surprised him on Saturday when he showed up with the former NFL star and a bunch of pizzas to give out to unhoused people in San Jose.

Wagers works with an outreach organization, The Mercy Mobile of Silicon Valley, helping out the area's homeless population ... and he tells us Aldon wasn't acting strangely when he saw him.

The pastor tells TMZ ... "Aldon was a very gentle, friendly guy. Nothing seemed off other than maybe seeming a little tired."

Here's the first look at the crash site where Oliver Tree died ... and you see a mangled helicopter on the ground ... and it's flipped upside down.

New video shows the aftermath of Sunday's fatal helicopter collision in Brazil ... first responders are crowded around the downed chopper, peering inside.

As we reported, Oliver died when two helicopters collided above an electric vehicle yard ... and in the footage, you see several burned-out cars that look like they burst into flames when the chopper crashed.