Celebrity Death

One of the 3 people charged in Liam Payne's death probe is speaking out for the first time, saying he did nothing wrong in connection with the singer’s tragic death last month.

Braian Nahuel Paiz, who has been accused by Argentinian authorities of allegedly supplying drugs to the 1D star, spoke to local news outlet Telefe Notifica -- admitting to having 2 hotel meetings with the singer -- but he denies ever supplying Payne with drugs or receiving any money from him.

Paiz told the outlet he first met Liam at the restaurant where he worked as a waiter on October 2. He claimed Liam didn’t eat anything because he was already under the influence of drugs, and says Liam later invited Paiz to his Buenos Aires hotel room, where they took a few whiskey shots together.

Rita Ora could barely contain her grief while tributing Liam Payne at MTV's European Music Awards Sunday ... choking up as she lauded her late pal for his positive personality.

The singer-songwriter -- who hosted the show in Manchester, England -- took the stage during one break and highlighted Liam, who passed away after falling from a hotel balcony last month.

Rita starts out by saying the team behind the EMAs just wanted to take a minute to remember Liam ... a great friend to MTV and her personally.

7:37 PM PT -- Virginia Madsen, who starred in the 1992 "Candyman" film with Tony Todd, has shared her grief amid the news of the actor's passing ... revealing she was at a loss for words.

In a video posted to Instagram, the actress remembered Tony as her "beloved" costar ... fighting back tears while thanking fans for their "kind wishes."

She expressed a similar sentiment in the caption, adding ... "The great actor Tony Todd has left us and now is an angel. As he was in life. More later but I can’t right now. I love you."

Tony Todd -- best known for his title role in the "Candyman" horror film franchise -- has died, TMZ has confirmed.

His rep, Jeffrey Goldberg, tells us ... Tony died of natural causes at his Marina del Rey home in Los Angeles on Wednesday night. Goldberg did not disclose an exact cause of death.

Todd was a longtime actor with an impressive list of credits, landing parts in movies such as "The Crow," "The Rock," "Final Destination," "Platoon and "Night of the Living Dead."

Liam Payne did not commit suicide, according to the prosecutor in charge of the case in Argentina ... a law enforcement source in Buenos Aires tells TMZ.

We're told the prosecutor in the case has officially ruled Liam did not die by suicide, stating the effects of the drugs the One Direction alum took caused him to fall to his death from the balcony of his suite at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel back on October 16.

As we told you Thursday, 3 people have been arrested in the case -- a housekeeper at the hotel, a friend of Liam's, and an alleged drug dealer ... this after multiple raids conducted by local police.

Big break in Liam Payne's death investigation -- Buenos Aires authorities have charged 3 people they believe were involved ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us the 3 people were charged Thursday, and at least one of the suspects worked at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel, where Liam died.

We're told one suspect is described as a "friend" who was in Liam's hotel room with him, but left him there at some point before he died. That suspect has been charged with abandonment of a person before death.

Rashida Jones is sharing her grief in the aftermath of the passing of her father, legendary music producer Quincy Jones.

The "Parks and Recreation" actress posted on Instagram days after her dad died at the age of 91 ... penning a poignant tribute, in which she touched on his impactful legacy.

Rashida began her note by recalling one of her fondest memories with her father ... when the music titan would let her stay close by whenever he worked late nights -- which she called "jazz hours."

Prince's sister Tyka Nelson had serious health issues that led to multiple calls to paramedics in the weeks leading up to her death ... TMZ has learned.

According to emergency call logs, EMTs were called to her house at least six times beginning in September this year ... with the most recent call on November 1 -- three days before she passed away.

While her name isn't listed on every call sheet, we've confirmed these calls were all made either by her or on her behalf ... dealing with issues like bleeding in the GI tract, heart health issues and pain from infection. She was rushed from her Minneapolis home to North Memorial Health Hospital in Robbinsdale, Minnesota on September 14.

Elwood Edwards, the iconic voice of AOL's "You’ve Got Mail" audio message, has died after a long illness.

Elwood died Tuesday, the day before his 75th birthday. His former employer, WKYC-TV Studios in Cleveland, confirmed the sad news. The details of the illness remain unclear.

Elwood was a staple at the Ohio station for years, working as a graphics whiz and camera operator, among other roles. But, it was back in 1989 when he struck gold, earning worldwide fame -- and a spot in internet history -- as the voice of America Online’s "You’ve Got Mail" message.

Police in Argentina are continuing their investigation into Liam Payne's death ... conducting another round of raids on the homes of 2 hotel employees and a "friend" of the former One Direction singer, TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources in Buenos Aires tell TMZ ... officers conducted the raids Tuesday night, while also searching the hotel lockers of the workers and reviewing security footage from the hotel, CasaSur Palermo.

We're told cops believe the workers had contact with Liam before the entertainer plunged to his death from the balcony of his third-floor room into a courtyard on October 16.

Members of the famed Jackson family arrived at a Los Angeles-area cemetery Monday to say their goodbyes to Tito Jackson ... more than a month after the singer's death.

The founding member of The Jackson 5 was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park cemetery in Glendale, California -- where his own brother, Michael Jackson, was entombed after his 2009 death at the age of 50.

The King of Pop's children, Paris and Blanket Jackson, were notably in attendance at their uncle's funeral ... as they were seen mingling with their family members outside the packed service.

Tyka Nelson, a singer and Prince's sister, has died ... according to multiple reports.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune spoke to Tyka's son, President Nelson, who said she passed away Monday morning ... but he did not give a cause of death.

Prince's younger sister was known for more than just her famous older brother ... she released four albums ... and she had a hit in July 1988 with her single "Marc Anthony's Tune." Tyka reportedly had a crush on Marc when she wrote the song.

Quincy Jones, the legendary music titan who worked with nearly every icon ... from Michael Jackson to Frank Sinatra to Will Smith ... has died, TMZ has confirmed.

Arnold Robinson, Quincy's publicist, told TMZ ... he died Sunday night at his home in Bel-Air, California surrounded by his family.

“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” the family said in a statement. “And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him.”

Alan Rachins -- an actor best known for a pair of popular '90s TV shows -- has died ... according to reports.

The actor passed away in his sleep from heart failure early Saturday morning according to The Hollywood Reporter which cites his wife, actress Joanna Frank.

Rachins got his start on the screen in the mid-1970s ... appearing in bit roles in a number of shows and TV movies. His big break came in in 1986 when his brother Steven Bochco -- a famed TV producer -- cast him as Douglas Brackman, Jr. in the hit legal drama "L.A. Law."

Fat Joe is adding his 2 cents to the brewing conversation that today's hip hop journalists are big trash, spurned over backlash from Kendrick Lamar giving his first "Not Like Us" interview to SZA!!!

The Bronx rap legend sat down for a new interview to discuss the fleeting practice of artists having journalists ask them fair questions, in exchange, to be able to alter the narrative on their own platforms. Fat Joe says the coverage of Tupac Shakur and Biggie's beef led to their demise!!!

"I also believe that the old guard of hip-hop journalists created a lot of conflict and might even have blood on their hands," Joe explained.

Sam Pounds, who collaborated with Liam Payne on the singer's final single, has decided not to release the track ... days after announcing his plans to do so.

The musician, who is known for producing music for Jamie Foxx and Wiz Khalifa, posted on X his new plan regarding the unreleased single, titled "Do No Wrong" ... noting he'd like the late One Direction star's family to make the decision when or if the tune sees the light of day.

He wrote ... "Today I’m deciding to hold 'Do No Wrong' and leave those liberties up to all family members. I want all proceeds go to a charity of their choosing (or however they desire)."

Actress Teri Garr, best known for her work in "Young Frankenstein" and "Tootsie," has died ... following a lengthy battle with multiple sclerosis.

The comedy legend died in Los Angeles Tuesday ... over 2 decades after she first revealed her MS diagnosis, which she detailed at length in her autobiography, "Speedbumps: Flooring It Through Hollywood."

She also suffered from an aneurysm in 2006 ... later retiring from acting altogether 5 years later in 2011.