L.A. County Coroner Investigating West's Death
The L.A. County Coroner confirms to TMZ that they are investigating the death of Donda West due to possible complications from cosmetic surgery.
They will be performing an autopsy this week.
We're also told West, who was 58, died at Centinela Hospital in Marina del Rey.
West was a former chairwoman of Chicago State University's English department, and headed up the company for Kanye's West Brands endeavors. She also handled the non-profit Kanye West Foundation, which seeks to increase literacy and reduce dropout rates.
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Evidence of When Kanye's Mom Died
Sources have confirmed to TMZ that Donda West, rapper Kanye West's mother, may have died either on the operating table or shortly after the procedure while in a recovery room.
Here's what we know: Sources tell us several months ago, West was scheduled for cosmetic surgery and she had been booked at Le Palais Chantique in Century City, a posh, hotel-like recovery center. We're told West postponed the surgery and therefore never showed up at Chantique.
There are two high-end recovery centers in L.A.; Chantique and Serenity in Santa Monica. TMZ has confirmed West was not taken to either facility this weekend.
If the fatal mishap was the result of a cosmetic surgery procedure, we're told the likelihood is that the complication arose either on the operating table or in the recovery room. The critical time things typically go wrong is in the first two hours after surgery.
Kanye West's Mother Dies -- A Mystery
Kanye West's mother, Dr. Donda West, 58, has died. Multiple reports indicate that Dr. West's death may have been a result of complications from some sort of surgery.
Kanye was in London when he was told. He is on his way back to the U.S.
West often spoke about the close relationship he shared with his mother. Dr. West worked as the Chair of the English Department at Chicago State University before retiring to become her son's manager.
Kanye's mom was the CEO of West Brands, LLC at the time of her death. She was also Chair of the Kanye West Foundation.
Kanye's writing partner, Rhymefest, confirmed Dr. West's death on Chicago radio station 107.5 WGCI, calling her a "mother for the community and a mother for one of Chicago's greatest heroes."
Calls to Kanye's management were not immediately returned.
Wrestling Legend Fabulous Moolah Dies
The most famous and recognized woman wrestler, Fabulous Moolah, passed away last night in South Carolina, the WWE announced today. She was 84.
Born Lillian Ellison, the WWE says that she "was the longest reigning champion in the history of her chosen sport, or any sport for that matter." She even held the title as recently as 1999, becoming the oldest champion in the history of wrestling.
She was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame back in 1995, the first female wrestler to receive the honor.
"God Warrior" Perrin's Daughter Dies in Car Crash
Marguerite Perrin, the God-obsessed shrew who infamously lost it on FOX's "Trading Spouses," after returning to her family, has lost her daughter Ashley in a car crash.
Ashley Perrin, 25, was driving on Interstate 55 in Ponchatoula, La., reports the Hammond Star, when her minivan hit a guard rail. According to cops, Ashley "was ejected" from the vehicle and died at the scene, but the cause of the accident is unknown. Ashley leaves an 8-year-old daughter.
The victim's mother is best known for her "God Warrior" ranting, particularly trying to throw FOX cameras out of her house when she returned to her family, and initially refusing to accept the $50,000 prize money -- because it was "tainted" and "dark-sided."
Marcel Marceau, Master of Pantomime, Dies at 84
"Bewitched" Star Alice Ghostley Dies at 81
Alice Ghostley, who was best known for playing Esmeralda on "Bewitched" and Bernice on "Designing Women," has died at 81. Ghostley died Friday at her home in Studio City after a long battle with colon cancer and a series of strokes.
Ms. Ghostley won a Tony for best featured actress in, "The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window." Ghostley's film credits include, "To Kill a Mockingbird," "The Graduate," "Gator" and "Grease."
Alice Ghostley was married to actor Felice Orlandi, who died in 2003, and is survived by her sister, Gladys.
"Match Game's" Brett Somers Dead at 83
"Match Game" vet Brett Somers passed away from stomach and colon cancer at her Connecticut home on Saturday. She was 83.
Somers, the grandmother of the Mary-Kate Olsen/Nicole Richie oversized sunglasses trend, was known for her dry wit and humor as one of the celebrity panelists on the memorable '70s game show, which experienced renewed interest in repeats on the Game Show Network.
Ms. Somers married actor Jack Klugman in 1953 and played his ex-wife on the long-running series, "The Odd Couple." Although they separated in 1974, the couple never divorced.
Somers is survived by Klugman, her two sons, Adam and David, and a daughter, Leslie.
Dannielynn is One, Daniel Gone One Year
Little Dannielynn Birkhead just celebrated her first birthday with a spectacular Kentucky bash, but her happy day reminded many that her half brother and Anna Nicole's first child, Daniel Smith, died tragically at age 20, one year ago today in Anna's hospital room in the Bahamas. To many, it began a downward spiral ending in Anna's drug overdose in a Florida hotel just five months later.
On Sept. 10, 2006, Daniel was found by Anna, unconscious in the hospital room in which she was recovering from giving birth to Dannielynn. Daniel had arrived in Nassau just 11 hours earlier to help celebrate his namesake's arrival. Toxicology reports said that an unfortunate combination of prescription anti-depressants and methadone caused his death.
One year since his untimely demise, an official inquest into Daniel's death has still not begun, and its start date continues to be delayed.
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Pavarotti's Final Curtain Call
World-renowned opera singer Luciano Pavarotti was large in life -- and his funeral, in his home town of Modena, Italy, was equally grand.
Legendary Tenor Pavarotti Dead at 71
Epic opera singer Luciano Pavarotti, whose voice and style made him one of the most famed opera singers to have ever lived, has died, his manager told The Associated Press. He was 71.
Pavarotti had been fighting a long battle with pancreatic cancer. His manager, Terri Robson, sent the AP an e-mail statement confirming that the singer died at his home in Modena, Italy, at 5:00 AM local time.
"The Maestro fought a long, tough battle against the pancreatic cancer which eventually took his life. In fitting with the approach that characterised his life and work, he remained positive until finally succumbing to the last stages of his illness," the statement read.
Rhymes with Red
Hotelier Leona Helmsley, who once served prison time for tax evasion and was often called the "Queen of
Mean," has died. Helmsley suffered heart failure at her summer home in Greenwich, Conn., said her publicist, Howard Rubenstein.
Helmsley, with husband, Harry, ran a $5 billion real estate
empire which included managing the Empire State Building. A former housekeeper once said she heard Helmsley say: "We don't pay taxes. Only the little people pay taxes." She later served time in prison for tax evasion.
She denied making the statement, but the words followed her for the rest of her life.
She was 87.
WWE Tag-Team Champ Taps Out ... For Good
No, it's not deja vu -- yet another WWE wrestling superstar has died.
According to WWE.com, Crush, aka Brian Adams, was found dead earlier today. A cause of death has not yet been determined. Adams was 43.
Along with legendary wrestlers Ax and Smash, Crush was part of the face-painting, leather strap-wearing, generally bad-ass unit known as "Demolition."
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"Pirate" Contestant Found Dead of Apparent Suicide
Cheryl Kosewicz, from the recently canceled CBS reality show "Pirate Master," was found dead in her home on Friday, KOLO-TV in Reno is reporting. Officials told the station the death is believed to be a suicide, but is still under investigation.
Just two months earlier, Kosewicz's boyfriend also took his own life.
Her death was confirmed by fellow "Pirate Master" contestant Nessa Nemir, who posted on the show's Facebook page, "All of the pirates and Cheryl's friends and family are shocked and devastated. It is a tragic loss that we all feel very deeply."
Another contestant, Joycelyn "Joy" McElveen, wrote on her MySpace page, "I lay in my bed tossing and turning waiting on someone to wake me up from this horrible nightmare. What nightmare you may ask? The nightmare that I thought I would never have to deal with the news that my best friend is dead. I immediately scream out in pain and sorrow."
Kosewicz was the fourth person eliminated (on the show), which was canceled just last week.
UPDATE [2:55PM PT]: A rep for "Pirate Master" tells TMZ: "Everyone at CBS who knew her is shocked and saddened by the news of Cheryl Kosewicz's untimely and unexpected passing. We will remember Cheryl for her extraordinary energy and compassion and we extend our deepest sympathies to her family and friends."