RIP

2:20 PM PT -- The coroner just release Ailes' cause of death, saying he died of complications from bleeding on the brain.

Roger Ailes -- architect of FOX News -- has died, and TMZ learned his passing came days after a serious fall.

Sources tell TMZ Ailes fell at his Florida home 8 days ago and hit his head. We're told Ailes fell unconscious and his condition went downhill. Our sources say he was put into an induced coma and died Thursday morning.

Ailes was suffering from numerous and serious health problems, which we're told contributed to his death.

Elizabeth Ailes says, "I am profoundly sad and heartbroken to report that my husband, Roger Ailes, passed away this morning."

"Roger was a loving husband to me, to his son Zachary, and a loyal friend to many. He was also a patriot, profoundly grateful to live in a country that gave him so much opportunity to work hard, to rise -- and to give back."

"During a career that stretched over more than five decades, his work in entertainment, in politics, and in news affected the lives of many millions. And so even as we mourn his death, we celebrate his life."

Ailes launched the careers of some of the biggest names in news including Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, Megyn Kelly and Greta Van Susteren.

Ailes was forced out of FOX News after allegations of sexual harassment surfaced. He resigned in July.

5:34 AM PT -- TMZ has confirmed with police the family friend had to force his way into Cornell's room and found him with a band around his neck. We're told there was no blood, and police suspect suicide based on the scene.

5:05 AM PT -- A report from Detroit's WXYZ says Cornell's body was discovered on the bathroom floor of his hotel room at MGM Grand Detroit after Soundgarden's show Wednesday night. Cornell's wife allegedly called a family friend to check on the singer ... and police are saying it appears Cornell died from an apparent suicide.

Chris Cornell, the famed frontman of several groups including Soundgarden and Audioslave, was found dead Wednesday night in Detroit.

Cornell's rep called the death "sudden and unexpected" but gave no further details. The medical examiner is in the process of determining cause of death.

Just hours before his death Cornell posted a clip from "By Crooked Steps" on his Facebook account, a song Soundgarden released in 2012. And he posted these lyrics from the song, "I'm the shape of the hole inside your heart." One of the lyrics from the song goes like this ... "Blood raining down cuts a deep, deep river and we're diving, and we're diving."

He also tweeted before their concert Wednesday night in Detroit.

Cornell struggled with drug use for much of his life, beginning at 13. In fact, he once said he was a "daily drug user at 13." He once called himself a "pioneer" OxyContin abuser. He's gone to rehab but relapsed over the years.

Cornell was a cornerstone of the grunge rock Seattle movement along with Nirvana. Soundgarden recorded a number of big hits, including "Hunted Down" in 1987, and "Badmotorfinger" in 1991. The groups first album, "Ultramega Ok" was huge. Three albums went platinum, including "Superunknown," which features songs like Black Hole Sun," "Fell on Black Days" and "Spoonman."

Cornell was 52.

The very last song he performed last night in Detroit "Slaves & Bulldozers," but also included parts of Led Zeppelin's "In My Time of Dying" ... a song Soundgarden's frequently covers.

#RIP

Alan Thicke's widow says she was far from an opportunist out for Alan's riches, and says she loved him so deeply ... they were about to expand their family when he died.

Tanya Callau tells TMZ she and Alan were finally ready to take the next step in their 11-year marriage ... by getting pregnant in 2017. She says they'd frozen her eggs 3 years ago, and planned to put them to use once Alan's youngest, 19-year-old Carter, moved out.

She says they already had an architect visit their Santa Barbara ranch in early December to draw up plans for a nursery. Alan died suddenly of a massive heart attack on December 13.

Tanya's now facing a possible lawsuit from Brennan and Robin Thicke -- who claim their stepmother is greedy and overreaching for more of their dad's estate than what's laid out in his will. She's calling BS on that, and adds ... she never threatened to go to tabloids as the boys allege.

Chris Cornell was so respected and loved by other musicians, his friends, and millions of fans. They're all honoring the iconic singer as they get the sad news of his death.

Nick and Aaron Carter's father complained of chest pains and had twitching in his arm before he went to bed and never woke up ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to the family tell us ... all signs point to Bob Carter suffering a heart attack when he died Tuesday night. We're told he was working a lot around the house and was out in the hot Florida sun when the chest pains started.

Our sources say the family's grateful everyone was on good terms with Bob.

As we reported ... Nick and Aaron both shared messages about their father's death on Wednesday.

11:52 AM PT -- Aaron just shared a message as well, saying, "My heart is broken, we are so hurt we lost you poppa way too soon. You were never human to me, you were always my real life super hero."

11:20 AM PT -- Nick just tweeted about his dad's death, saying, "I am heartbroken to share the news that our father, Robert, passed away last night."

Nick and Aaron Carter's father has died ... TMZ has learned.

Sources connected to the family tell us Bob Carter died Tuesday night in Florida. He was 65, and right now there are very few details about the cause of death. In a tweet he later deleted, Aaron said something about his father being found unconscious.

Bob was on the family's reality show, "House of Carters" ... featuring the Backstreet Boys singer, Aaron and their 3 other siblings -- Leslie, Angel and Bobbie.

This is yet another tragedy for the Carters. You'll recall Leslie died at the age of 25 back in 2012.

#RIP

Alan Thicke's sons -- Robin and Brennan -- believe their dad's third wife is making moves to get more of his estate than she deserves, and they're taking action to nip it in the bud.

The sons, with attorney Alex Weingarten, have filed legal docs in Alan's probate case, claiming his widow, Tanya Callau, is greedy and overreaching to get a bigger piece of the pie than their dad intended in his will. In the docs they say she threatened to go to tabloids if her demands are not met.

They don't mention a specific dollar amount she's allegedly trying to get.

According to the docs ... Alan got rich and famous long before meeting Callau, and they signed a prenup when they wed in 2005. The sons say she's threatening to challenge the prenup.

The sons say Tanya also wants more because she claims to have given up her own career to support Alan and help raise his youngest son, Carter.

According to docs ... the boys say their dad left Tanya 25 percent of his personal effects, 40 percent of his remaining estate, a $500k life insurance policy and said she could live at the ranch.

Robin and Brennan want a judge to enforce the will and the prenup.

Rosario Dawson's cousin died after the actress found her unconscious last week ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us Rosario walked downstairs in her Venice home last Thursday and found 26-year-old Vaneza Ines Vasquez lying unresponsive. Paramedics rushed to the scene and transported Vaneza, but ultimately they could not resuscitate her.

We're told Vaneza -- who worked for Rosario -- had recently been suffering migraines and also had hypertension. We're told early autopsy results point to her dying from natural causes.

Toxicology results are still pending, but our sources tell us Vaneza had no history of substance abuse.

Brad Grey, one of Hollywood's most prolific producers and former Paramount Studios chief, died Sunday night from cancer.

Grey died at his home in Holmby Hills ... surrounded by family. He had stepped down from his post as Chairman/CEO of Paramount a few months ago. He'd held the role for 12 years.

Grey co-founded Plan B Entertainment with Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston. He's been executive producer of several landmark TV shows and films ... like "The Sopranos," "The Larry Sanders Show," "The Departed," "Happy Gilmore" and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."

He was 59.

Story developing ...

Chris 'Big Black' Boykin's clothing line was in the midst of a comeback ... but his untimely death brought those plans to a screeching halt.

Chris' personal manager, Mark Shin, tells TMZ ... Big Black clothing was strongly considering a relaunch fueled by continuing popularity and demand. The brand had stopped licensing and sales over the last year while strategizing their next business deal.

We're told that effort was put on pause following Chris' death Tuesday. Mark says he was the heart and soul of the brand and there were questions whether it could continue without him.

However, Mark tells us the brand's now considering a small launch with the sole purpose of having proceeds benefit Chris' daughter, Isis.

As we reported ... Chris was smart about investing his money to help set up Isis financially.

Powers Boothe -- best known for his roles in "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D" and "Sin City" -- died in his sleep Sunday.

The actor's publicist said he died of natural causes at his L.A. home. His family will hold a private service in Texas and they're also considering a memorial celebration.

Boothe earned an Emmy for his leading role in the TV movie "Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones." He starred as Senator Roark in the 'Sin City' franchise and played Gideon Malick on "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D."

In 2009, he was inducted alongside Billy Bob Thornton in the Texas Film Hall of Fame.

Boothe was 68.

#RIP

Ex-NFL wide receiver Michael Jackson -- who led the NFL in receiving TDs in '96 -- was killed in a motorcycle accident Friday morning in Louisiana ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Louisiana State Police confirm Jackson was in an accident in Tangipahoa, LA while riding his motorcycle in the early morning. He was 48.

Officials say Jackson was driving a '13 Kawasaki on US 51 around 1 AM at a "high rate of speed" when a 20-year-old woman backed out of a parking spot and into both lanes of the highway.

The motorcycle crashed into the driver's side door of the car -- and the impact was so violent, the bike smashed through the door and killed the driver of the car.

Officials are investigating the crash.

Jackson played in the NFL from '91 to '99 for the Cleveland Browns and the Baltimore Ravens. He exploded in '96 when he finished 6th in the league in receiving yards, behind guys like Isaac Bruce, Herman Moore and Jerry Rice.

He was also college teammates with Brett Favre at the University of Southern Mississippi.

After injuries cut his career short, Jackson turned to politics and became the mayor of Tangipahoa in 2009. He served until 2013.

Christopher 'Big Black' Boykin's daughter will have NO money worries because her father did everything in life with her in mind ... including saving like crazy for her.

Sources close to Chris tell TMZ ... he set up a college fund for 9-year-old, Isis, and her education is pretty much covered. We're told he was solely focused on being a great dad, and it forced him to be very smart with money and investments.

Friends think that also made him a pretty hilarious penny-pincher, who rarely picked up big tabs or splurged on luxury items for himself. We're told Chris' inner circle wants to make sure Isis' college fund is managed properly, so his dreams for her will be fulfilled.

As we reported, Chris knew his family history of heart problems ... another reason he was determined to leave Isis enough to live comfortably.

ESPN legend Chris Berman and his family say they're "overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and sympathy" they've received in the wake of Kathy Berman's death.

Chris 'Big Black' Boykin's heart was basically a ticking time bomb, and he died of a heart condition that's long plagued his mother's side of the family ... TMZ has learned.

We spoke with two of Big Black's family members ... his Uncle Jerry, who appeared on a few episodes of "Rob & Big," and his niece, Brittany Williams. They say congestive heart failure caused his death, and it's a condition he first found out about in 2000.

Jerry and Brittany say the disease also killed Black's mother, uncle, and both of his grandparents back in Mississippi. They told us Black paid 'em a visit down south in 2007, and even then he knew his condition was worsening.

Chris was planning to bring his daughter, Isis, to Mississippi this summer ... according to Jerry. It would've been the first time much of his family got to meet the 9-year-old.

Uncle Jerry says it's more important than ever to make that happen now.

Christopher 'Big Black' Boykin's heart was in terrible condition for days before his death -- so bad, in fact, doctors feared he'd eventually need a heart transplant ... TMZ has learned.

Chris' ex-wife, Shannon Turley, tells us Chris was hospitalized in Plano, TX for several days while doctors monitored his heart. He'd been struggling with heart issues, and already had a defibrillator implanted in his chest.

She says doctors tried to resuscitate Chris for 30 minutes when his heart gave out on Tuesday. He died at 4 PM. Shannon says Chris was not on the transplant list yet, but doctors said he was heading in that direction.

Shannon and Chris have a 9-year-old daughter, Isis. Although they divorced in 2009, she says Chris had been living with her in Texas due to his declining health.

As we reported, Boykin's death shook his "Rob & Big" co-star and friend Rob Dyrdek, ... who wrote, "My heart is broken. I don't want to believe that this is reality. I am so thankful for you."