RIP

Doug Kiker was rushed to the hospital after a concerned passerby walked by him on the street ... and, the star's look was so worrying this person called paramedics.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... an individual walking around in Denver passed Kiker on the street, took one look at him, and immediately called 911.

We're told this person told the 911 operator they were worried about his appearance, saying he may have been experiencing a drug overdose.

"American Idol" alum Doug Kiker -- known by the moniker "The Singing Garbage Man" -- has died ... TMZ has learned.

Kiker died Monday, according to his ex-fiancée, Valerie Cook, who tells TMZ she hates that her kids lost their father. An official cause of death has not been determined.

Kiker's brother William and his mother Joyce also confirmed Doug's death to TMZ ... and William shared a heartfelt message to Facebook saying Doug will always be his baby bro.

David Hasselhoff's ex-wife, Pamela Bach, was hustling to get a reality TV show she developed off the ground right up until her tragic death ... TMZ has learned.

Sources tell TMZ ... Pamela was working to create, produce, and star in a new series, to be called "Over the Hills," which would have followed her and her celebrity pals living in the Hollywood Hills during their golden years.

The concept of the show was to highlight how they all navigated the specific challenges that come with aging, while still finding time to cut loose and enjoy life.

One of David Hasselhoff's children wants to handle the affairs of her late mother, who she says recently died without a will.

David and Pamela Bach-Hasselhoff's daughter, Taylor Ann Hasselhoff-Fiore, filed new legal docs to become the administrator of Pamela's estate.

In the docs, obtained by TMZ, Taylor estimates the net value of Pamela's estate at $840,000 ... though that's not a definitive figure, as there may be private trusts outside of the probate case.

Kim Kardashian hoped to buy a piece of family history from the O.J. Simpson estate ... asking to purchase her dad's Bible -- but, the estate's executor says it's too late to purchase it outside the auction.

Here's the deal ... Malcom LaVergne -- executor of the late controversial actor's estate -- tells TMZ Kim Kardashian's team reached out to him last month after we broke the story that some of O.J.'s personal effects were going up for auction.

Among them ... a Holy Bible gifted to Simpson by her father, Robert Kardashian -- with a note inscribed by the late Kardashian patriarch scribbled inside.

John Feinstein -- a longtime sports reporter and author -- has died at the age of 69 ... according to his employer, the Washington Post.

John's brother -- Robert -- confirmed his passing to the outlet on Thursday. His cause of death was not revealed.

Feinstein started his career at the Post in 1977 ... working as a night police reporter before joining the sports beat. He was the author of 48 books, 23 of which became a New York Times best seller. One of his most well-known pieces was "A Season on the Brink," which followed the 1985-86 Indiana University men's basketball team led by Bob Knight.

2:10 PM PT -- David Hasselhoff and Pamela Bach's second daughter, Hayley, has also paid tribute to her mother one week after Pamela's passing. She shared a photo of her mom smiling while holding her as a baby and says her "heart is shattered."

She remembers Pamela as her "best friend" and "biggest support" while also noting she's "choosing to be strong" for her.

David Hasselhoff’s daughter Taylor has poured her heart out in an emotional tribute to her mom, Pamela Bach, following her shocking death last week.

In an Instagram Story on Thursday, Taylor posted a slideshow of moments with her mom over the years, describing her pain as just "unbearable" in the caption.

The 34-year-old was anguished, saying she'd do anything to have her mom back ... calling her "my best friend, my whole heart, my everything."

Heartbreaking loss for the NBA ... former center Oliver Miller -- famously known as "The Big O" -- has passed away at the age of 54.

Former NBA player Eddie Johnson broke the news on Wednesday ... expressing his sadness as he announced Miller's passing.

"We have lost another @NBA Fraternity member!" Johnson said. "Going to miss you Big O. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾. RIP."

The Notorious B.I.G.'s mother, Voletta Wallace, was laid to rest Wednesday in the same funeral home as her rap phenomenon son was over 28 years ago.

Dozens of mourners flocked into the Frank Campbell Funeral Chapel in Manhattan ... Biggie's widow, Faith Evans, was there, and Lil Kim, Mase, Diddy's son Christian Combs, and Ms. Wallace's grandchildren T'yanna and CJ were among the famous faces in attendance.

Jay-Z's mother, Gloria Carter, was also spotted paying her respects to Ms. Wallace, as was Voletta's great-granddaughter.

Dave Mallow -- best known as the voice of Baboo in "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" -- has died.

A source with direct knowledge tells TMZ he passed away Tuesday after being in hospice care. He was staying at the MonteCedro Senior Living Community in Altadena, California when he died.

A former colleague of Dave's said his health had been declining in recent years, and although his death is upsetting, it did not come completely out of the blue.

Jamaican-bred reggae legend Cocoa Tea died Tuesday at the age of 65, cementing a legacy that spans four decades.

According to the "Young Lover" singer's wife Malvia Scott, Cocoa died earlier today in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and she recounted his turbulent last days to the Jamaica Gleaner.

"I got a call early this morning to say that he had been transferred from the facility to the hospital ... which is like five minutes away ... because he was vomiting. He was initially diagnosed with lymphoma in 2019, but for the last six months he was also struggling with pneumonia," Malvia revealed.

Late Pantera drummer Vinnie Paul lives on ... because his legacy now includes a cookbook ... a realization of one of his lifelong dreams.

Vinnie's posthumous recipe book, "Drumming Up An Appetite," just dropped today ... and it features his favorite Sunday Funday meals and a bunch of photos of him working his magic in the kitchen with celebrity guests.

Comedian Carrot Top, Vinnie's good friend, provides the foreword ... and the book is broken down into three chapters --- main courses, side dishes and desserts.

A 37-year-old surfer was tragically killed in a shark attack in Australia this week, authorities announced Tuesday.

The Western Australia Police Force said the incident occurred at around 12:10 PM on Monday at Wharton Beach.

Officials said they recovered the man's surfboard in the immediate aftermath of the encounter -- and it had bite marks on it. The surfer's body, though, has still not yet been recovered.

South Korean K-Pop star Wheesung was reportedly found dead inside his home on Monday — and police are investigating whether his death was drug-related.

The body of the singer-songwriter was discovered inside his apartment last evening by Fire Department officials after he went into cardiac arrest, according to the New York Times.

The newspaper said Wheesung — whose real name was Choi Whee-sung — had a history of drug abuse — and investigators with the Seoul Gwangjin Police Station were looking into the possibility he overdosed.

Fascinating twist in the story of the dead body caught by fishermen in the waters off Massachusetts ... turns out the corpse was meant to be buried at sea and no foul play is suspected, according to authorities.

The Suffolk County Chief Medical Examiner in Boston just announced the body is a woman in her 60s with cancerous tumors all over it. The M.E. says the unidentified body was embalmed and apparently intentionally deposited into its watery grave.

Prosecutors say the case is now closed, adding the dead woman will likely stay nameless forever.

The moments leading up to the tragic death of Kimberly Burch -- fiancée of Faster Pussycat frontman Taime Downe -- have been captured on video, which is now in the hands of detectives ... TMZ has learned.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office in Florida is in possession of video that shows Kimberly climbing the ship’s rail and taking a step off.

No official word yet on how Kimberly's death is being ruled. MDSO confirmed to TMZ Monday morning the investigation is still ongoing ... but from what it sounds like, the video speaks for itself.