Crime

An Auburn University graduate had her life cut short by her boyfriend's dad in Alabama -- and police have now arrested the suspect for the accidental shooting, according to authorities.

Jeffrey Scott Towers, 54, was apprehended by the Trussville PD this week and charged with manslaughter after he fatally shot his son's 22-year-old partner, Whitney Robeson, police announced Monday.

Trussville detectives launched an extensive investigation and, with help from the Jefferson County coroner, determined that the March 7 shooting was an accident. As for how they came to that conclusion, the police have not yet released those details. 

In May 2025, Robeson got her degree in interior design from Auburn University, and she had just started a job as a Trade Consultant for Restoration Hardware, according to her obituary. 

Kodak Black is back behind bars in Florida ... TMZ has learned the rapper surrendered on charges of fleeing/eluding law enforcement and resisting an officer without violence.

According to Broward County jail records, seen by TMZ, Kodak was booked Thursday. Both charges are currently listed as pending trial, with bond set at $0.

Kodak’s attorney, Bradford Cohen, tells TMZ ... "This is a self surrender from yet another 'investigation' that just happened to also take 5 months to 'investigate' for allegedly fleeing and eluding."

Kouri Richins, the Utah mother and children's book author convicted of killing her husband with a poisoned cocktail, had some chilling advice for their three children before being sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

In a Utah courtroom, Kouri stood up and told the three sons, had with her husband she has been convicted of killing ... "Be like your dad."

During the sentencing hearing, the boys' paternal grandfather told the judge Kouri deserved a life sentence without parole so his grandsons would "never have to live with the fear that the person responsible for taking their father could ever harm them again."

A high school teacher in North Carolina is in police custody after being charged with sexually abusing children ... and the alleged events took place two decades ago.

Steven Robert Kohls is charged with eight counts of sexual activity by a custodian, three counts of sex offense in a parental role, and two counts of statutory sex offense of a child by an adult ... according to multiple reports.

Police say the alleged abuse was first reported May 2 ... but the allegations date as far back as 2005.

Trouble keeps finding its way to Chris Brown's front gate ... because TMZ has learned cops were called BACK to his home Thursday morning over yet another trespassing -- and it's the same guy as last night.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... police responded to Brown's property after reports came in of a suspicious person wandering around the private roadway near the house. The unidentified suspect is now in custody.

We're told the suspect is the same guy who was arrested outside Chris' home Wednesday night after allegedly hopping a fence and trying to start a fire on the property.

Matthew Perry's former assistant is the last one up to be sentenced over the actor's death … and prosecutors are looking to lock him up for years behind bars over his involvement ... TMZ has learned.

TMZ has obtained the government's sentencing memo for the late "Friends" star's live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa … and prosecutors are recommending a 41-month prison sentence -- nearly 3 and a half years -- plus 3 years of supervised release.

They say Kenneth was "acutely aware" that MP struggled with drug addiction ... and allege he helped him obtain drugs, shot him up, and later destroyed evidence following the actor's death.

A man was arrested at Chris Brown's home Wednesday after he allegedly hopped a fence and made it onto the superstar singer's property before trying to light a fire ... TMZ has confirmed.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... cops were called to the singer's home in Tarzana -- a ritzy neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles -- just before 7 PM PT.

Our sources say the suspect was seen at Brown's gate attempting to gain entry ... and the person who called allegedly told cops they knew the individual and stated he's been an ongoing problem.

Chud the Builder's problems are stacking up ... the controversial streamer has now been charged in connection with Wednesday's wild shooting outside a Tennessee courthouse.

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office announced that Chud, whose real name is Dalton Eatherly, was charged and booked for Criminal Attempt: Murder, Employing a Firearm During Dangerous Felony, Aggravated Assault, and Reckless Endangerment with a Deadly Weapon.

On Wednesday afternoon ... officers responded to a call of "shots fired" outside the Montgomery County Courthouse and detained two men who got into a fight that escalated into gunfire, according to the sheriff's office.

Scott Peterson's murder conviction remains intact ... with a judge shooting down his most recent appeal attempt in a thorough rebuke.

According to reports ... a San Mateo County Superior Court judge shot down Peterson's third writ of habeas corpus -- writing a 116-page decision denying all 14 claims.

Stanislaus County District Attorney Jeff Laugero told local Sacramento outlet ABC10 Peterson filed his writ in August ... which he says was nothing more than the same recycled claims his team has been using to try and win his freedom for 20 years. Laugero said the judge denied the third petition on April 27.

Chris Brown's ex-housekeeper is asking a judge to keep out evidence that a member of Brown's team gave her money for medical bills after his dog attacked her ... claiming it's not relevant to the case.

Maria Avila filed court documents last week telling a judge she believes defendants may attempt to introduce evidence she received money from a man named Emil Lewis or another third party.

She says Lewis has made statements that he gave the plaintiff "tens of thousands of dollars for payment of [her] medical bills" after the dog attack. Maria says she disputes this claim.

Amy Duggar King has gotten pretty close with her cousin Jill Duggar Dillard ... especially in the wake of Joseph Duggar's arrest.

In a new YouTube chat with interviewer Dory Jackson ... Amy says she and Jill -- who's one of Joseph and Josh Duggar's sisters -- have been texting a ton since Joseph was arrested in March for allegedly sexually abusing a minor in Florida.

Amy said ... "We have definitely sent messages back and forth, all week long, you know, for weeks now of just like, 'Are you doing OK? I love you.'"

5/13 6:47 PM PT -- A spokesperson for 8500 Burton Way tells TMZ ... "This is a frivolous lawsuit. The matter has been investigated by LAPD, which has found no unauthorized entry or access to the apartment. The allegations in this complaint are baseless and without merit."

Natalia Barulich is taking legal action against a luxury Los Angeles apartment building tied to real estate mogul Rick Caruso, claiming she was lured in by promises of top-tier security and safety ... only to become the victim of a massive, multimillion-dollar burglary ... TMZ has learned.

According to docs, obtained by TMZ, the model and musician who once dated Maluma says she signed a lease at the upscale 8500 Burton Way building, paying around $12K a month after being assured the property had round-the-clock security, controlled access, and no history of break-ins.

She claims that while traveling internationally in October 2025, burglars got into her unit and made off with more than $2.1 million in luxury goods ... including designer handbags, watches, jewelry, and other property.

Kouri Richins, a Utah mother who wrote a children's book about grief following the death of her husband, was just sentenced to life behind bars without the possibility of parole ... after being convicted of murdering him.

Kouri was convicted of aggravated murder in her husband's March 2022 death ... for lacing his drink with five times the lethal dose of fentanyl.

A Utah jury also found her guilty of attempted aggravated murder for trying to kill her husband on Valentine's Day 2022 with a fentanyl-laced sandwich ... plus insurance fraud and forgery related to his life insurance policy.

Billionaire Stephen Cloobeck's surprising arrest is tied directly to the criminal case surrounding his fiancée, Adva Lavie ... TMZ has learned.

TMZ broke the story ... Cloobeck was arrested Tuesday in L.A. on a felony charge connected to discouraging a witness from testifying, and we're told investigators believe that witness was tied to Lavie's ongoing theft case.

Lavie -- a former Penthouse Pet -- is accused of targeting wealthy men through dating apps and social circles ... allegedly stealing luxury goods, cash and personal information. She has pleaded not guilty to multiple felony charges.

"The Hunger Games" actor Ethan Jamieson has been arrested yet again ... this time on a misdemeanor charge for allegedly violating a protective order by possessing a firearm ... TMZ has learned.

According to court documents, obtained by TMZ, Jamieson was busted in Wake County, North Carolina on May 12, 2026 ... after authorities claim he violated a valid protective order that had been issued against him.

Rihanna is detailing the terrifying moment shots rang out at her L.A. home earlier this year ... reportedly screaming, "They're shooting at us!" to hubby A$AP Rocky during the chaos.

According to new court documents, Rihanna then shoved the sleeping rapper to the floor inside an Airstream trailer parked outside the couple's Beverly Crest mansion during the March attack.

Prosecutors say nearly 10 bullets struck the property while the couple's three kids and Rihanna's mother were inside the main house ... with the A$AP and RiRi later telling investigators they spotted bullet holes in their trailer's windshield.