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Robert Brooks died allegedly at the hands of New York State Corrections employees -- and perhaps even more shocking is that some of the officers rake in whopping six-figure salaries ... TMZ has learned.

Brooks -- an inmate at Marcy Correctional Facility in upstate NY -- died of asphyxia due to compression of the neck during the December 9 attack by the guards and other prison workers, according to a preliminary autopsy report.

Bodycam footage worn by staff showed the violent attack on Brooks, during which the inmate was viciously beaten while restrained and gagged. Before his death, Brooks was serving a 12-year sentence for first-degree assault.

Alabama Barker is regretting her past use of vape pens ... she had a medical scare involving nicotine withdrawal which recently saw her rushed to an L.A.-area hospital ... TMZ has learned.

Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler's daughter was an occasional vaper ... that is until she started pursuing music more seriously this year.

We're told the 19-year-old, who is pursuing a rap career, was advised by those in the music industry to drop the nasty habit given it's so bad for a person's voice.

Dana Stubblefield is on his way to being a free man -- his rape conviction was overturned last week -- and according to the former NFL star's attorneys, his first order of business when he gets out will be a bunch of family time.

Kenneth Rosenfeld and Allen Sawyer sat down with TMZ Sports just days after a California appellate court vacated Stubblefield's prison sentence ... and they said he's "euphoric" over the decision -- and is now looking forward to hanging with his loved ones.

"He's going to be with his family," Sawyer said of Dana's immediate plans. "If there's one thing that Dana misses the most, it's being with his family."

A Los Angeles-area home with deep ties to both the Kardashian family and the O.J. Simpson murder trial has hit the market ... TMZ has learned.

Real estate sources tell TMZ ... an Encino, Calif. residence, which currently belongs to comedian Russell Peters, is now on the market -- several years after he scooped up the storied property for a notable $5.6 million.

Russell is looking to offload the estate for $5.995 million ... which would give him a decent profit if it's snapped up at this price -- and we're sure the residence will have some takers given its unique history.

Courtney Stodden and her new hubby, Jared Safier, have moved into a million-dollar home mere weeks after saying "I do" … TMZ has learned.

Real estate sources tell TMZ … Courtney and Jared closed on a 5-bedroom, 4-bathroom home spanning 3,040 square feet in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley just last week.

We're told the property is perfect for the newlyweds, as it boasts a number of impressive features -- including a resort-style backyard with mountain views, a heated swimming pool and spa, and a state-of-the-art stand-alone BBQ perfect for entertaining.

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.

Ex-WWE Superstar Eva Marie has filed for divorce from her husband of 10 years, Jonathan Coyle, TMZ Sports has learned.

According to court records, the "Total Divas" television show star -- real name Natalie Eva Marie Nelson -- filed papers earlier this month ... which stated they got hitched back on October 20, 2014.

The docs state the two initially separated in October 2023 ... and the reason for the split was listed as irreconcilable differences.

Jay-Z's attorney says there are a bunch of holes in the rape lawsuit against the rapper ... and he's looking to have the case thrown out.

In new court documents obtained by TMZ ... Alex Spiro, the lawyer representing the rap mogul, says he's gearing up to file a motion to dismiss the lawsuit against Jay-Z ... claiming the statute "Jane Doe" is suing under didn't even take effect until after the alleged sexual assault ... and can't be applied against the rapper retroactively.

As Jay-Z's attorney puts it ... the statute was enacted in December 2000 -- 3 months after Jane Doe claimed she was sexually assaulted by Jay-Z and Diddy at an MTV Video Music Awards after-party.

Simu Liu's 2024 is ending on a not-so-Marvel-ous note ... 'cause his house was broken into last week -- though we're told there may be a silver lining for the actor.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Simu's Los Angeles-area home was broken into Friday when someone smashed a glass door around 11 PM.

Security was alerted to the break-in at Liu's home and called police ... who searched the house for any suspects, but no one was inside.

Drake won't be hard to spot Down Under next month on his upcoming tour run in Australia ... his new "Anita Max Wynn" gemstones will be hogging all the light in sight!!!

Celebrity jeweler Jason Arasheben, CEO of Jason of Beverly Hills, tells TMZ Hip Hop ... "Having done a number of Owl pieces for Drake, I was excited to work with him on a pendant of his alter ego. Just as the cartoon holds more meaning than meets the eye, so does the pendant."

"The back features all the dates of his Australian tour with a secret compartment revealing the Toronto skyline."

Ryan Seacrest is getting candid about the hardest part of his New Year's Eve hosting gig ... and it has everything to do with his post-ball drop meal.

We caught up with the "American Idol" host in New York City ahead of his annual stint as the host for "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" ... where he made it clear he loves leading the countdown to the new year every December 31st.

However, Ryan said there is one downside to his job -- he can't eat until 1:30 AM given his hosting responsibilities.

Jennifer Lopez's ex-boyfriend Casper Smart had some unexpected visitors at his home two days before Christmas ... 'cause TMZ has learned cops showed up and searched the property.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... cops received a tip that Smart had a cannabis grow operation at his L.A. home. They obtained a search warrant and served it just before 9 AM on December 23. We're told Casper and a woman were home at the time.

While searching the property, our sources say officers found a small- to medium-size grow operation at the home.

If Rod Woodson was advising Travis Hunter, he tells TMZ Sports he'd suggest the Buffs star only play corner in the NFL ... explaining he thinks the Heisman Trophy winner can be "an All-Pro" at the position.

Hunter, of course, was named college football's best player earlier this month because of the way he dominated at both WR and CB -- but Woodson says doing both at a high level in the NFL is just not feasible.

The former Pittsburgh Steeler -- who played defensive back in the league for 17 seasons -- said he'd rather see Hunter focus on corner ... and take occasional reps at wideout, just like his mentor, Deion Sanders, did during his NFL days.

Amanda Bynes made an appearance at 50 Cent’s Las Vegas residency over the weekend where she met the hip hop legend and shared details with him about a project she's working on.

Vegas sources tell TMZ ... Amanda was on hand at "50 Cent: In Da Club," at PH Live inside Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on Saturday night. It was the rappers second show of his new Sin City residency. We're told during the performances, Amanda was relaxed and happy while mingling with fans.

Our sources say after the show, Amanda made her way backstage with a friend for a meet and greet with Fifty. We're told during their conversation, AB was overheard telling him about a screenplay she's been working on. She was also overheard telling people she's "been a fan of 50 Cent for years" and couldn’t resist coming.

Kiyan Anthony's first action on a Syracuse court is still roughly a year away, but La La Anthony tells TMZ Sports she's already planning her gameday outfits!!!

The mother of the four-star shooting guard -- who she shares with NBA legend Carmelo Anthony -- made it clear to us while leaving the Million Dollar Giveback event in NYC this week that she's "going to be that mom."

"I don't have [the 'fits] yet," she told us, "but I think I'm going to be that mom that's, like, Syracuse-geared out. For sure."

Put the kids to bed before Le'Veon Bell fights former Jake Paul opponent Ryan Bourland ... 'cause the former All-Pro running back turned boxer tells TMZ Sports' fans can expect VIOLENCE!

"I just can't wait. I can't wait," 32-year-old Bell said. "Ryan Bourland is in trouble. He is in damn trouble."

Bell and Bourland are scheduled to box on April 12 in Pittsburgh (where Le'Veon starred as a Steeler -- a fight locale LB's pumped for!) under Damon Feldman's Celebrity Boxing promotion.