Celebrity Death

tWitch's widow Allison Holker says she has a good reason for blabbing to the media about his alleged drug problem ... she says she's just trying to help others.

Allison defended herself Thursday amid a barrage of online attacks from her late husband's friends and family, who are all pissed off about her recent media interviews and upcoming memoir ... where she touches on his alleged drug use leading up to his suicide.

In a long social media post, Allison says ... "I hope that by sharing our full story maybe I can help someone else who might see themselves or a loved one in Stephen."

Allison Holker going on a media blitz to promote her upcoming memoir is sparking a family feud ... with relatives and friends of the late Stephen "tWitch" Boss going after his widow for labeling him a drug user.

The infighting is playing out right now on social media in the wake of Allison's new interview with People ... and tons of dirty laundry is being aired online.

Courtney Ann Platt, who was friends with tWitch and Allison, fired the first shot Tuesday ... with a long rant on Instagram blasting Allison for telling the media she allegedly found a stash of drugs in tWitch's shoeboxes before his funeral.

Peter, Paul and Mary singer Peter Yarrow is dead after a long battle with cancer ... TMZ has confirmed.

Peter died Tuesday at his home on Manhattan's Upper West Side ... according to his publicist, Ken Sunshine, who tells us Peter's cause of death was bladder cancer.

We're told Peter was diagnosed with cancer four years ago, and battled the disease until his death.

Richard Cohen, Meredith Vieira's husband of 38 years, has died following a decades-long battle with multiple sclerosis.

The "Today" show, where Meredith served as co-anchor between 2006 and 2011, announced Richard's passing Tuesday morning ... confirming Richard -- a fellow newsman -- had died on Christmas Eve while surrounded by his family.

"Today" co-anchor Savannah Guthrie said Meredith is "in really good spirits" ... with Hoda Kotb also revealing the family was happy to get an extra month with Richard when the family became very concerned about his health at Thanksgiving.

A hotel worker accused of delivering drugs to Liam Payne in a soap box shortly before his death in Buenos Aires has turned himself in to police in Argentina after being on the run.

Prosecutors tell TMZ 21-year-old Ezequiel David Pereyra negotiated his surrender through his lawyer Monday evening. Police were informed, went to his house, and arrested him.

He had been on the run since being charged with supplying Liam with narcotics.

Aubrey Plaza is breaking her silence on her husband's sudden death ... calling Jeff Baena's passing an "unimaginable tragedy."

In her first public comments on her loss, Aubrey and their families add ... "We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support. Please respect our privacy during this time."

Monday's statement comes after Aubrey skipped the Golden Globes in the wake of her director hubby's death.

Aubrey Plaza didn't join the ranks of numerous celebrities at the Golden Globes Sunday night ... skipping the ceremony two days after her husband passed away.

Numerous celebrities packed the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills for the 82nd iteration of the ceremony ... but, Aubrey wasn't among them -- and, it's pretty clear why.

Plaza was originally scheduled to present an award ... though it's unclear which one or who filled in for her.

Molly Shannon shared a touching tribute for her close friend and collaborator, Jeff Baena just two days after the director was found dead in his Los Angeles home.

The actress posted a series of photos Saturday of the two of them with the caption marked simply by a 💔 emoji.

Molly starred in Baena's films "The Little Hours" and "Life After Beth," alongside his wife, Aubrey Plaza. Her post highlights the bond and close friendship the three built and shared through the years.

Filmmaker Jeff Baena -- best known for directing films like "Life After Beth" and "The Little Hours," and the husband of Aubrey Plaza, has died ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... police and fire responded to a Los Angeles-area home Friday around 10:30 AM for a death investigation ... after an assistant discovered him dead.

Baena was pronounced dead at the scene ... law enforcement says he died by suicide.

Nicole Kidman got emotional during an acceptance speech at the Palm Springs International Film Awards ... and even started crying as she dedicated her award to her late mother.

The Oscar-winning actress was given the International Star Award for her latest movie, "Babygirl," by film legend Jamie Lee Curtis at Friday's festival in California.

Nicole stepped up to the mic onstage to say a few words -- and almost immediately began talking about the death of her mom, Janelle, in September.

The procession for former President Jimmy Carter has begun in Georgia ... his home state, which is where he died this week at the age of 100.

A motorcade with a flag-draped casket of the 39th president began the journey to Washington by going through his hometown of Plains on Saturday.

Former Secret Service agents who protected President Carter acted as pallbearers when the procession initially began at the Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in GA.

Singer Brenton Wood, best known for his 1967 hit "The Oogum Boogum Song," has died, TMZ has learned.

Wood's manager and assistant, Manny Gallegos, confirmed the news to TMZ, revealing he passed away today at his Moreno Valley, California home, surrounded by friends and family.

As of now, his cause of his death has not been revealed.

Swiss-born New York socialite Jocelyn Wildenstein, often referred to in the media as 'Catwoman' due to her surgically enhanced cat-like features, has died at the age of 84.

Paris Match reports Wildenstein passed away in a Parisian palace on Tuesday in Paris from a pulmonary embolism.

Wildenstein -- famous for her dramatic feline-like cosmetic transformation -- married billionaire art dealer Alec Wildenstein in 1978, and their subsequent divorce in 1999 was widely publicized.

Liam Payne was advised by his psychiatrist just weeks before his death ... he needed a "higher level of care" than she could provide.

In a letter, filed with the court in Argentina and obtained by TMZ ... the One Direction star's psychiatrist informed the British singer in September she could no longer provide psychiatric care for him.

As the psychiatrist put it ... she decided to stop treating Liam "after careful consideration and assessment," but advised him to continue with a treatment plan -- which included taking medications only as prescribed, avoiding heavy drinking while on medication, weekly therapy, meeting with a primary care doctor, and further testing.

Angus MacInnes -- a prolific actor who appeared in the original "Star Wars" film -- has died ... according to a Facebook post by a family member.

In the statement, his family reveals MacInnes passed away peacefully on December 23, surrounded by loved ones. They did not list a cause of death.

Angus' family says he took great pride in appearing in some unforgettable projects during his career ... adding that fans of "Star Wars" held a special place in his heart.

Linda Lavin -- best known for her lead role in the 1970s TV sitcom "Alice" -- has died, TMZ has confirmed.

The actress passed away Sunday in Los Angeles from complications of lung cancer with which she was recently diagnosed, according to her reps.

Lavin began her career in the late '60s on Broadway before heading west in the '70s to Hollywood.