RIP

Fans hoping to honor Nipsey Hussle on what would have been the rapper's 34th birthday will have to find a place other than his clothing store to pay their respects.

A massive fence, complete with shading and barbed wire surrounds Nipsey's Marathon Clothing in Los Angeles ... the same place the rapper was murdered back in March. The location was an obvious spot for a birthday memorial, but the barricade is a clear attempt to discourage people from gathering and leaving items at the store.

City officials have had issues with Marathon for a long time and even tried to shut it down, believing it was a hub for gang activity. Fact is ... the area has problems with gangs, but Nipsey was working hard to curb gang violence. The LAPD and L.A. City Attorney took a lot of heat for praising Nipsey after his death on the one hand yet naming him in an investigation over gang activity around the store. Cops later said he was not a target ... only the store was.

TMZ broke the story ... the LAPD was put on high alert for a possible birthday celebration Thursday, planning to have more than 100 officers near the Slauson and Crenshaw intersection where the store is located.

Nipsey's birthday won't go unrecognized by his family though, we've learned they plan to hold a private gathering. Our sources say Nip's family is still in a serious state of mourning.

Jeffrey Epstein was the target of death threats from fellow inmates during his stay at Manhattan's Metropolitan Correctional Center ... and should have been watched 24/7 ... this according to multiple sources connected with the investigation.

Our sources say ... despite being taken off suicide watch, there was concern for Epstein's safety in the Special Housing Unit -- the SHU -- and he was supposed to be watched around the clock.

We're told several of the threats involved extortion ... put money in the inmate's commissary account or else endure physical violence. We're told the extortion started early on ... before July 23, when Epstein apparently attempted suicide.

There is a protocol that guards check on inmates in the SHU every 15 to 30 minutes, but more time elapsed between checks during the time Epstein apparently took his own life by hanging.

We say "apparently took his own life," because prison officials still haven't said how he died. As we reported, a camera is trained on all the cell doors inside the SHU, which would show if someone -- another inmate or a guard -- entered to do him harm.

Prison officials clearly know if someone came in or if Epstein acted alone, but they're not saying.

Although an autopsy was performed Sunday, we're told one reason the conclusion was deferred is because the Medical Examiner must say whether death was a suicide or at the hands of another.

Nipsey Hussle's family is turning down hoards of proposals for a very public birthday bash honoring the slain rapper ... because the wounds are just too fresh.

Sources close to Nipsey's fam tell TMZ ... there will be no city-wide celebration in Los Angeles, even though fans are begging for one, because his family is still in mourning.

Instead of a public event ... we're told Nipsey's family will get together on August 15, on what would have been the Crenshaw rapper's 34th birthday, and remember their lost loved one in private.

Our sources say Nip's clan has been flooded with suggestions for how to recognize his bday in front of the masses ... but we're told the family feels it's still too soon to do a huge celebration, considering it's only been a few months since his tragic death.

Nipsey fans who flock to his Marathon Clothing store in his honor will be met by a heavy police presence ... and they won't be able to get close to the storefront, because we're told an extra set of barricades is being added to an existing fence.

So, while it's nice to see so many folks looking to remember Nip on his birthday ... ya gotta understand where his family is coming from.

"Rowdy" Roddy Piper's daughter is following in the footsteps of her legendary father -- becoming a professional wrestler -- and her only regret is he isn't here to watch her perform.

TMZ Sports talked to Teal Piper (real name Ariel Teal Toombs) ... who at 34 years old will make her wrestling debut for AEW on August 31.

"A million percent regret not taking this opportunity before," ... Piper told us ... adding, "It is very heartbreaking, and very nostalgic and intense feeling being in this world without him."

Roddy unexpectedly passed away back in July 2015 ... at the age of 61.

Teal says her dad woulda been pumped about her gettin' in the biz ... but also protective over his daughter.

"I think my dad would be very excited for me. He's always been so supportive of the stuff I do."

"But, on the flip side of that, he's always kept me far away from wrestling. He was always worried about the heat he would get as a heel, the fans in the industry, so he kept me and my sister, specifically, in a bubble."

Piper's in the deep end now ... 'cause her first match is a 21-woman Casino Battle Royal -- with the winner getting a title shot.

Dog the Bounty Hunter -- who can spot crime from a mile away -- has a hunch on a very personal offense recently committed against him ... and it's screaming INSIDE JOB.

The fugitive wrangler was talking to paps Friday night outside of BOA Steakhouse in WeHo, where he explained why he feels the burglary that took place at his Colorado store last week was likely undertaken by someone in his inner circle, who knew it inside and out.

You'll recall, crooks broke into Dog's shop last Friday, where they snatched a ton of merchandise, but more importantly ... they made off with a handful of items that belonged to Dog's late wife, Beth Chapman, who died from cancer less than two months ago.

Check out why Dog is certain he's been betrayed -- he believes Beth may have reached out to him from the other side and relayed the news. Kinda sweet, kinda spooky too.

As for whether Dog and his team are going to get involved in tracking the burglars down, he says he's already promised law enforcement he'd stay out of it -- until something specific happens that makes 'em fair game for the pack, that is. At that point, he'll pounce.

John Singleton's mom claims one of his baby mamas did nothing to help him the night before he died, despite the fact he was throwing up blood and showing signs something was seriously wrong.

Sheila Ward says when John got home the night before he died, his baby mama, Rayvon Jones, met him with, "No open arms just crossed defiant fists." She says some type of argument then started between them.

Sheila claims John then took a bath with his infant son, Seven, but his body began to tremor -- showing serious signs of distress -- and he was almost too weak to get himself out of the tub. He also allegedly threw up blood.

Rather than call 911, Sheila says Rayvon simply put John to bed. His mother says she's haunted by that thought and says, "I can't stop thinking about this truth. Can't blame them. Don't blame them. I feel so sorry for them because they must live with it."

Rayvon tells us John did complain of being sick that night, saying he thought it was food poisoning, but she never saw him throw up, and didn't think it was anything serious. She says she told him to run the bath, to relax and to drink some tea.

Robert Durst got away with murder, according to his deceased wife's family, and he just beat them in court.

A judge dismissed the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Kathleen Durst, who disappeared in 1982.

Her body was never found, but a judge subsequently ruled in 2017 her date of death was the same day she disappeared -- January 31, 1982.

Durst was widely suspected of killing her, but he was never charged. He has been charged with the murder of his good friend, Susan Berman, who prosecutors believe knew he murdered Kathleen.

As for the wrongful death lawsuit, a judge just said the family waited too long to file it and the 2-year statute of limitations has long-since run.

There's a twist in all of this ... the lawsuit could be filed -- even long after the statute of limitations had run -- if Durst were in criminal court over Kathleen's murder. Her family argued the criminal case did involve Kathleen's murder, because prosecutors believe Durst killed Susan Berman because she was going to blow the whistle on him over Kathleen's death. They felt that wasn't a direct tie ... or at least not enough to allow a wrongful death suit.

Durst was arrested and charged with Susan Berman's murder after the show "The Jinx" aired on HBO. You hear Durst in the bathroom, thinking his microphone was off, saying, "What the hell did I do? Killed them all, of course."

GoFundMe is going to extreme lengths to make sure no one scams money from people looking to donate to the families of mass shooting victims ... and so far, the company says the funds are being distributed as intended.

Sadly, a harsh reality -- fake accounts pop up in the wake of tragedies like this weekend's massacres in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio ... but GoFundMe tells us they're implementing safeguards to ensure no one gets duped this time around.

Honchos at GoFundMe tell TMZ ... the company has a team working around the clock to review and verify all the campaigns seeking money related to the El Paso and Dayton mass shootings, ensuring donations end up in the right hands.

The confirmation process goes like this ... before any money is released or transferred to the beneficiary of the campaign, their information, including their banking information, is verified. If there are any red flags, GoFundMe freezes the funds until they're sure everything is kosher.

You might notice something different on the GoFundMe site for this go-round ... they've launched a centralized hub for verified campaigns, and we're told they're working directly with campaign organizers to guarantee funds raised for the tragedies are not misappropriated.

As you know ... 22 people were killed in the mass shooting in El Paso, and hours later in Ohio, another shooter took 9 innocent lives.

Donald Trump is promoting the notion President Obama got a pass from past Presidents when there were mass shootings on his watch ... but the differences are glaring, obvious and, frankly, enraging.

Trump tweeted a quote from Brian Kilmeade from "Fox & Friends" ... "Did George Bush ever condemn President Obama after Sandy Hook. President Obama had 32 mass shootings during his reign. Not many people said Obama is out of Control. Mass shootings were happening before the President even thought about running for Pres."

Kilmeade said that Tuesday morning on his show, and 45 must've been watching -- and perhaps applauding -- the response to Obama's comments Monday. The former Prez said, "We should soundly reject language coming out of the mouths of any of our leaders that feeds a climate of fear and hatred or normalizes racist sentiments; leaders who demonize those who don't look like us, or suggest that other people, including immigrants, threaten our way of life, or refer to other people as sub-human, or imply that America belongs to just one certain type of people."

Obama is clearly referencing Trump -- and who can argue with him? Donald Trump preaches fear -- undeniable. He demonizes those who don't look like us -- undeniable. And, on and on.

Donald Trump laughed at a rally when someone said the solution to immigrants coming into the country illegally was to shoot them.

FACT -- Obama advocated banning assault weapons, but too many members of Congress sold their souls to the NRA for their own self-preservation and wouldn't hear of it.

Trump came up with an alternative theory -- somehow put the brakes on the insidious video games, which he links to mass shootings. FACT -- in Japan in 2017 there were 22 shooting crimes. Video games in Japan are wildly popular -- way more than in the United States.

So, the overarching message from President Obama addresses the destruction of America and the rise of white nationalists who clearly feel empowered to mete out justice, John Wick-style.

Nobel and Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Toni Morrison is dead ... according to her publisher.

The critically acclaimed American writer -- perhaps best known for her 1987 best-seller, "Beloved" -- passed away Monday night surrounded by loved ones. Her publicist and publisher both confirmed the news, but didn't say anything about a cause of death.

Toni was a renowned figure in literature, with multiple novels under her belt that spoke to the African-American experience. "Beloved," "Jazz" and "Paradise" made up a loose trilogy -- with the first book being adapted into the 1998 film starring Oprah and Danny Glover.

Other notable works include "Song of Solomon," "The Bluest Eye" and "Sula."

Toni wrote 11 novels in her life, many non-fiction books, 5 children's books, two plays, two short fiction stories and one libretto. She also wrote several essays and university papers.

She won a Nobel Prize in literature in 1993 -- becoming the first African American woman to achieve the honor. President Obama also awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012. On politics, she wrote an essay shortly after the election of Donald Trump for the New Yorker titled "Mourning for Whiteness," calling out white supremacy.

A documentary about Toni's life was made this year called "Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am." She had two children -- her sons, Slade and Harold.

Toni was 88. RIP

Courtney Stodden is paying tribute to one of her heroes, Marilyn Monroe, with a pilgrimage to the late Hollywood icon's final resting site ... and she was decked out as MM.

The reality TV star was seen Monday heading to Marilyn's crypt at the Westwood Village Memorial Park in L.A. -- where she shares a wall with some very famous people, including Hugh Hefner. The area surrounding Marilyn's crypt was laced with flowers.

As for Courtney, she wore an extra-wide brim hat for the occasion, which was clearly a callback to one of Marilyn's many looks through the years.

Marilyn rocked a similar hat in her 1957 movie "The Prince and the Showgirl" -- and considering how much Courtney admires her, we wouldn't be surprised if this is a nod.

What's interesting is that Courtney seems to do this semi-frequently -- she also paid a visit to Marilyn's crypt in 2016 and left a letter at the time that read in part, "If I could bring you back for just one day, I'd tell you how much you're missed."

She wore a very Marilyn-esque gown for that visit as well.

The cemetery is an L.A. landmark, and Marilyn's crypt is the undisputed highlight. Others who made the cemetery their final resting place include Farrah Fawcett, Dean Martin, Armand Hammer, Natalie Wood, Rodney Dangerfield, Donna Reed, Don Knotts and on and on.

Marilyn's ex-husband, Joe DiMaggio, arranged for flowers to be left at her crypt twice a week over the course of two decades. Seems the tradition has continued.

Marilyn would've been 93 years old if she were alive today. She died of an overdose on Aug. 5, 1962 -- and although it was ruled a probable suicide, many suspected foul play due to her affair with JFK, who was assassinated the following year.

22-year-old Belgian pro cyclist Bjorg Lambrecht died Monday from injuries he suffered from a horrific crash during a race in Poland, his team confirmed.

Lambrecht was competing in the 3rd stage of the Tour de Pologne -- a week-long event -- when he crashed hard into a concrete structure. Lambrect reportedly struck his head during the collision and fell unconscious.

Emergency personnel attempted to resuscitate him on scene and he was raced to a nearby hospital. Doctors performed emergency surgery but he died during the operation.

Unclear what caused the crash -- some say weather may have been a factor because it had been raining.

Lambrecht was considered a rising star in the sport ... winning the U23 Liège-Bastogne-Liège in 2017 and placing high in several other competitions.

Lotto-Soudal -- Lambrecht's team -- released a statement on Monday ... saying "The biggest tragedy possible that could happen to the family, friends and teammates of Bjorg has happened… Rest in peace Bjorg."

Maria Shriver is in an all too familiar position ... attending a funeral for a Kennedy family member, this time for her young cousin, Saoirse Kennedy Hill, who died from an apparent overdose.

RFK's granddaughter was laid to rest Monday during a family service in Cape Cod. The funeral -- also attended by Congressman Joe Kennedy, Saoirse's grandmother, Ethel Kennedy, RFK Jr. and his wife, Cheryl Hines -- was held a few miles away from the Kennedy compound where Saoirse died.

The service was held at Our Lady of Victory Church, the scene of numerous Kennedy wakes and funerals, including Eunice Kennedy Shriver's in 2009. Caroline Kennedy also got married there in 1986.

As we reported ... Saoirse died Thursday from an apparent drug overdose while staying at the family's famous Hyannis Port estate. She had been in cardiac arrest by the time paramedics arrived. She was rushed to a hospital but doctors could not resuscitate her. She was 22.

Maria, the niece of Robert, John and Ted Kennedy, took to Instagram the day after Saoirse died and said, "Be gentle with others, as so many are struggling. Actually, I think it's best to assume everyone is struggling. So treat everyone with love, tenderness and compassion."

What. In. The. Actual. Hell.

The Miami Marlins CROSSED THE LINE in a stupid Twitter spat with the Tampa Bay Rays ... saying, "YOU'RE LITERALLY THE ANIMAL THAT KILLED STEVE IRWIN."

Dude. Really?!!?!?

So, why the hell would a Major League Baseball team invoke the name of a global treasure who was tragically killed by a real-life stingray in 2006???

Here's the backstory ...

The Marlins played the Rays on Saturday -- and even though Miami lost, they posted a highlight showing right fielder Brian Anderson GUNNING a guy out at the plate in the 8th inning.

The Tampa Bay Rays social media team responded to the tweet saying, "Show the final out." Quality burn.

Miami responded -- taking a shot at Tampa Bay over possible plans for the Rays to become a 2-city team, splitting time between TB and Montreal.

Tampa Bay responded by essentially pointing to the score board ... prompting Miami to send the most savage tweet in MLB history.

"yOU'RE LITERALLY THE ANIMAL THAT KILLED STEVE IRWIN LOG OFF."

Tampa Bay -- which won both games of their 2-game series with Miami -- fired back, "You're literally the team that just got swept, log off."

Of course, Irwin -- aka "The Crocodile Hunter" -- was killed at age 44 when he was pierced in the heart by a stingray barb while filming an underwater documentary.

He left behind a wife and 2 children.

You stay classy, Miami.

Bucky Dent tells TMZ Sports he's still hurting over Thurman Munson's tragic death 40 years ago ... saying, "He was a tremendous teammate and a guy we loved."

Munson -- a former New York Yankees captain -- was killed when he crashed his Cessna Citation I/SP jet during flying practice on a baseball off day on Aug. 2, 1979.

Officials said he didn't take the proper steps when trying to land the plane ... and when the aircraft crashed -- Munson suffered a broken neck that led to his death.

Last Friday was the 40-year anniversary of the tragedy ... and when we got his ex-Yanks teammate, Dent, out in NYC -- he told us the accident still stings.

"For us in the Yankee organization, playing with him, it was definitely a shock."

Munson was on his way to being a Yankee legend before the crash ... in 11 seasons he was a 7-time All-Star, 2-time World Series champ and the league's 1976 MVP.

In fact, George Steinbrenner immediately retired Munson's No. 15 ... and in 1980, the team placed a plaque memorializing Thurman in Monument Park.

"Them That Follow" -- the new thriller about scary snakes and a religious family that handles them to prove themselves to God -- had a tragedy on set when a bird died in the hands of one of the stars ... and the cameras were rolling.

Footage from the movie set -- obtained by TMZ -- shows actress Alice Englert with a quail in her hands right after the moment she realizes something is horribly wrong with the bird.

It sounds like Alice says, "Oh my god, this is so f****d" as she hands the bird to its handler ... and becomes increasingly distressed as she processes what happened.

Englert then asks, "Is it dead?" ... and begins to sob as she gets confirmation.

Producers from the movie have confirmed with TMZ the animal died, but tell us nobody knows why. They insist it was not mistreated or mishandled in any way.

The producers add ... "We hired top animal wranglers and working professionals in the business ... we take full responsibly and deeply regret this isolated incident."

We're told in the scene, Englert's character pretends to feed a quail to a snake. You see couple of snakes in cages just off to the right of Alice.

The bird wrangler on set tells TMZ, "We are ultimate professionals and care about each and every animal we handle. The overriding theme of our educational program is the importance of all animals. No one of the cast or crew did anything to affect this sad event."