RIP

Brian Trascher helped search for Nolan Wells by air before the 18-year-old's body was found along Horn Island's shoreline ... and he believes dangerous water conditions may explain how Nolan ended up surprisingly close to where he was last seen alive.

The United Cajun Navy vice president tells "TMZ In The Know" ... weather conditions forced his team to switch tactics as the search stretched into its second day -- ultimately taking to the sky to cover more ground.

Brian says he and the pilot had been searching for about two hours on July 6 when they noticed several law enforcement boats converging on the northwest tip of Horn Island ... and they swung in close and saw a body floating face down in the water near shore.

Former NFL player Josh Mauro allegedly went on a four-day drug and alcohol bender before his fatal overdose ... partying with multiple women right up until his final hours.

Josh began binge-drinking and using cocaine at his Arizona home days before his April death ... according to the California Post, citing a newly released Maricopa County Medical Examiner report.

Investigators reportedly reconstructed Josh's final days through interviews with several women who came and went from his home ... with the women describing a party that continued into the hours before he was found dead.

The person found dead at a Massachusetts home owned by Rep. Ayanna Pressley's husband died from gun violence, but had no connection to the owner ... TMZ has learned.

According to an incident report, obtained by TMZ, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined the cause of death to be a single gunshot wound. The manner of death is still pending. Cops note the next of kin have been notified.

We're told there is absolutely nothing that indicates any connection between the death investigation to the owners of the property.

Al Sharpton is putting his money where his mouth is ... offering $50,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in Nolan Wells' death ... and Tyler Perry is following suit.

Sharpton announced the reward Monday while delivering remarks at the 18-year-old's funeral ... saying he and the National Action Network are ready to put up the cash.

Watch the clip ... Sharpton says anyone with information can contact attorney Ben Crump's office. Crump is representing Nolan's family.

Sharpton said Nolan "was not on that island by himself" and insisted somebody knows more about what happened during the Fourth of July trip to Mississippi's Horn Island, where Nolan was found dead two days after going missing.

LaToya Malcolm -- a former Miss Universe Jamaica contestant -- is dead.

Miss Universe Jamaica announced LaToya's death on social media Saturday, posting ... "We mourn the passing of MUJ alumna LaToya Malcolm, who proudly competed in the 2024 Miss Universe Jamaica Competition."

The statement continued ... "Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and loved ones. Rest peacefully, LaToya. You will never be forgotten."

Brazilian influencer Ulissias Marcelli and her boyfriend were found shot to death along a rural roadside in Brazil ... and local law enforcement suspects the couple may have been held captive before they were killed.

The grim discovery was made Saturday near Porto Seguro ... when a rural worker spotted the bodies and alerted police.

Investigators believe Marcelli and her boyfriend, Vinícius Souza de Carvalho, may have been abducted before the deadly shooting ... though exactly what happened remains under investigation.

Nolan Wells' loved ones gathered to say their final goodbyes Monday ... honoring the 18-year-old whose life ended far too soon.

The funeral service happened at Center Pointe Church in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, where Rev. Al Sharpton officiated and family attorney Ben Crump delivered a call for justice.

Sharpton announced during his remarks that he'll be offering a $50,000 reward to anyone who comes forward with information about Nolan's death ... and he said Tyler Perry will match that amount.

As we reported ... Nolan disappeared after traveling by boat with friends to Horn Island for a Fourth of July gathering. His friends returned to the mainland without him, and his body was found two days later on Horn Island.

Nolan Wells' loved ones are gathering to celebrate the 18-year-old's life ... as questions surrounding his death continue to haunt his Mississippi community ... and some very familiar faces will be on hand to pay their respects.

Family, friends, and civil rights leaders will remember Nolan this morning in his Ocean Springs hometown ... with Rev. Al Sharpton officiating the funeral and family attorney Ben Crump delivering a call for justice ... TMZ has learned.

Nolan traveled by boat with high school friends to Horn Island for a Fourth of July gathering, but the group returned without him. Two days later, Nolan's body was found along the island's shore.

Singer Jim Gilstrap -- who collaborated with Stevie Wonder on the classic tune, "You Are The Sunshine of My Life" -- has died, according to his family.

Gilstrap passed away from natural causes Saturday in Los Angeles, his nephew, Geoffrey Gilstrap, said in a statement. His exact cause of death was not released.

Gilstrap's storied career stretched over five decades, and he was best known as a session vocalist who worked with Wonder and sang the theme song to the 1970's sitcom "Good Times."

A powerful earthquake tore through Peru's Andes region over the weekend ... leaving at least five people dead, more than 20 injured and hundreds forced from their homes, authorities say.

Officials say the 5.5-magnitude quake struck Saturday night near the city of Sicaya in central Peru at a shallow depth of about 6 miles, triggering widespread damage across the region.

Authorities say several buildings partially collapsed, including a church and convent, while homes in some of the hardest-hit farming communities were reduced to rubble. Images from local TV showed residents huddled outside overnight as emergency crews searched damaged neighborhoods.

Kylie Jenner is honoring her late grandmother, MJ, with a series of heartfelt Instagram Stories ... sharing treasured family memories just days after the Kardashian-Jenner matriarch's death.

The Kylie Cosmetics founder posted three throwback Stories featuring Mary Jo "MJ" Campbell, including sweet family photos spanning the years. Kylie kept the posts simple, letting the nostalgic snapshots speak for themselves as she remembered her beloved grandmother.

Kylie's tribute comes after Kris Jenner tragically announced Thursday that MJ had died at 91. In an emotional Instagram post, Kris called her mom "the heart of our family" and thanked her for the love and wisdom she shared throughout her life.

Rising boxer Hannah Rapp is dead after police say an alleged road rage driver deliberately backed his vehicle into her while she was riding her bicycle in Texas.

According to the Brazos County Sheriff's Office, Rapp was killed Saturday after authorities say Charles Medina passed her before stopping his vehicle and intentionally reversing, striking Rapp.

Medina was later arrested and charged with manslaughter.

Kyle Busch's 11-year-old son is doing his dad's legacy justice ... because he just won his first race since the NASCAR legend passed away.

Brexton Busch -- the eldest of Kyle and Samantha Busch's two kids -- competed in several events at Oklahoma’s Port City Raceway dirt track Friday ... and won the restricted micro sprint class division, according to the trade publication Motorsport.

Samantha posted about Brexton's victory on Instagram Saturday afternoon ... sharing scenes from the track.

Brenda Fricker, the Oscar-winning actress who is best known to so many fans as the Pigeon Lady in "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York," has died ... TMZ has confirmed.

Her agent, Phil Belfield, tells TMZ ... Fricker passed away peacefully Thursday night in Dublin, after a period of ill health.

He says ... "We will never see her like again and the world is lesser for the lack of her. I was honored to know, love and work with her and she will always have a place in my heart and in the heart of so many film and TV fans the world over."

The FBI is investigating alleged threats that they say have been sparked by the case surrounding Nolan Wells' mysterious death.

FBI Jackson said in a statement that the federal level of the Bureau "has been working to address interstate threats" that they say were received by "individuals related to this matter."

It's unclear what kinds of threats were made and who was on the receiving end, but FBI Jackson added ... "these efforts are in parallel with Jackson County’s independent investigation."

A Walt Disney World guest suffered a heart emergency while riding It's a Small World ... and they were later pronounced dead ... TMZ has confirmed.

The death happened in April but it's just coming to light now ... the latest theme park injury report update from the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services says a 54-year-old man with a pre-existing condition experienced a cardiac emergency on the attraction back on April 24 ... and he was transported to a local hospital, where he died.

The Mouse House doesn't like to call attention to these tragedies ... which is why it took almost three months for anyone to catch wind.