Celebrity Death

Lauren Bennett -- a singer best known for her feature on the hit LMFAO song "Party Rock Anthem" -- has died.

Her former band GRL, released a statement Monday saying ... "It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Lauren."

They go on to say their "hearts are broken, and we cannot begin to express how much she meant to us. We will forever cherish the love, laughter, and countless memories she gave us. Her beautiful spirit touched so many lives, and she will be deeply missed and forever loved."

Bennett kicked off her professional music career when she was just 18 years old ... forming the Paradiso Girls along with several other ladies in 2007. They dropped their debut single "Patron Tequila" in 2009.

Kjell Nilsson, who played Lord Humungus in the classic "Mad Max 2" film, has died.

Chris Carbaugh, Kjell's rep, tells TMZ ... the actor died Thursday in Queensland, Australia, surrounded by family after a four-year battle with kidney disease.

The Swedish-born Kjell was an Olympic-class weightlifter ... which came in handy when he was cast as the terrifying, metal-masked Lord Humungus in "Mad Max 2" -- known in America as "The Road Warrior."

Former NFL linebacker Keith Mitchell has died, it was announced Thursday. He was just 51 years old.

Details surrounding his death have not been disclosed.

Mitchell was a star linebacker at Texas A&M ... and was named an All-American in 1996. His total sack count during his time at College Station put him toward the top all-time in organization history.

Los Angeles Rams great LeRoy Irvin has passed away, his former teammate Eric Dickerson announced Thursday. He was 68 years old.

ED mourned the loss in a tribute post on Instagram ... praising Irvin for who he was both on and off the field.

"Leroy wasn’t just a lockdown corner and a fierce competitor on the field; he was a true friend and a great man who always brought incredible energy," Dickerson said.

"The Wire" actor James Ransone had a history of suicidal thoughts, but he didn't leave a suicide note when he took his own life ... this according to the Medical Examiner's report.

The report, obtained by TMZ, says James stated he "wanted to kill himself" and needed to go to the hospital.

The M.E. says prescription medications were found at the scene of his death ... but no drug paraphernalia, and no note.

President Donald Trump is paying his respects to the late Village People singer Victor Willis ... Trump says he'll think of Victor every time he hears his hit song, "Y.M.C.A."

POTUS hopped on social media Wednesday and posted a tribute to Victor, who died Monday after an aggressive illness.

Trump is remembering Victor as a "great and happy guy" ... and the Prez is taking credit for making "Y.M.C.A" a "monster" hit again by playing the song at his rallies.

Victor Willis -- the legendary singer for the ultra-popular 1970's disco band "Village People" -- has died.

A social media post on his Facebook, posted by his wife Karen, says Willis passed away Monday after "a short but aggressive illness." His exact cause of death was not revealed.

Willis was the theatrical front man for The Village People ... and he who cowrote the band's most famous songs, such as "Y.M.C.A.," "Macho Man," "Go West" and "In The Navy."

Darrell Sheets' celebration of life brought out former costars, friends, and family ... and, as you might expect, several notable items from the star's past.

Dave Hester -- Darrell's former costar on "Storage Wars" -- shared photos from the event ... taking photos with Darrell's son, Brandon, as well as Darrell's ex-wife and longtime friend, Kimber Wuerfel.

Faux $30 bills with Darrell's face on them and "The Wow Factor" -- his signature catchphrase on the show -- were apparently handed out at the event ... a touching keepsake for his loved ones to take home with them.

Spencer Pratt says Daveigh Chase is dead because "nobody was willing to drag her to rehab against her will."

The former 'Hills' star weighed in on the "Lilo & Stich" star's death in a social media post Tuesday ... one day after the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner ruled she died from AIDS and drug use.

Spencer was outspoken about drug abuse and rehab when he was running for L.A. mayor ... and his post is also in reaction to images purportedly showing Daveigh looking frail while living on Skid Row.

Michael Byrne, famous for his work in the 'Indiana Jones' and 'Harry Potter' movie franchises, is dead.

The actor died June 20, according to multiple reports. The cause of death is unclear.

Michael played General Vogel in "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" ... including a famous scene with Harrison Ford, where Vogel punches Indiana as part of a proper Nazi Germany goodbye.

Fans of the late Oliver Tree came together Monday evening to celebrate his heavenly birthday ... gathering in Venice Beach just two weeks after his tragic death.

Check out the video ... the turnout is massive, with fans showing up to honor the musician as Oliver's music blasts on speakers that could be heard throughout Venice Skate Park.

Fans even got decked out in Oliver's signature black-haired bowl cut and red-rimmed glasses.

These loyal aficionados were looking to make waves wherever they could ... because in the flyer they sent out, they even encouraged people who were not in Los Angeles to host their own meet-ups to pay tribute to Oliver on his birthday.

Bobbi Althoff sat down with Oliver Tree for one of the late singer's final interviews, then published their conversation a couple weeks after his death ... but she didn't do so without a stamp of approval.

Sources with direct knowledge TMZ ... Bobbi reached out to Oliver's camp before publishing her interview with him on "The Really Good Podcast," and she got their blessing.

Oliver's appearance on Bobbi's podcast stands as one of his final on-camera interviews before he died in a helicopter crash in Brazil. It's unclear when they filmed the podcast, but Oliver died June 14 and Bobbi posted it 15 days later on June 29.

Oliver Tree got deep on the fickle nature of life in one of his final interviews before his tragic death ... telling Bobbi Althoff nothing in life should be taken for granted.

Bobbi just released video from Oliver's appearance on "The Really Good Podcast" ... he gets philosophical, telling her ... "We don't know if I'll be alive next year or you'll be alive. There's no day promised."

Looking back, Oliver's comments are kinda eerie ... considering he died earlier this month when the helicopter he was flying in collided with another chopper in Brazil. Five other people died in the crash.

Daveigh Chase's official cause of death has been revealed ... and the former child star died from AIDS ... TMZ has confirmed.

The L.A. County Medical Examiner says the primary cause of death was acquired immunodeficiency syndrome ... with chronic polysubstance use -- the repeated use of more than one drug over time -- listed as a significant condition. The manner of death was ruled natural. Us Weekly was first to report on the cause of death.

The heartbreaking update comes nearly two weeks after TMZ broke the news that the "Lilo & Stitch" and "The Ring" actress died on June 16 at just 35.

Peter Falk's daughter wrote multiple suicide notes before she took her own life ... TMZ has learned.

According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's newly released death investigation, Jacqueline Falk taped multiple handwritten notes to her garage wall before her suicide. The report does not detail the contents of her notes.

As TMZ first reported back in April, Jacqueline -- the adopted daughter of the legendary "Columbo" star -- hanged herself in her Los Angeles home. She was 60.

The Medical Examiner's report also includes statements from investigators summarizing the scene and confirming there were no signs of foul play. She had no drugs in her system, nor were any found at the scene.

Oliver Tree would've turned 33 today, and his girlfriend posted a touching tribute in his honor ... comparing him to Jesus Christ.

Fiona Chernavskaya shared a bunch of pics and videos to her Instagram story Monday, remembering the musician on his heavenly birthday ... just two weeks after he tragically died in a helicopter crash in Brazil.

She shared a few cute clips of Oliver on stage, plus her cheering him on during soundcheck and a behind-the-scenes moment backstage.

Fiona concluded with a sweet collage of some silly snaps from her time with Oliver, writing ... "33 like Jesus."