RIP

Kobe and Gianna Bryant passed away in the fatal helicopter crash five years ago today ... but, their legacy lives on -- through tributes and new projects they've inspired.

As you know ... on January 26, 2020, Kobe and Gigi -- along with 6 other passengers and the pilot -- were killed after their helicopter crashed on their way to Thousand Oaks for basketball practice.

According to a later investigation ... the pilot of the craft was at fault for the crash -- with investigators saying he flew into the clouds, became disoriented and ultimately crashed.

DJ Unk's cause of death has been revealed ... the Atlanta rapper died from a heart attack ... TMZ has learned.

Unk's wife, Sherkita Long-Platt tells TMZ he died in his sleep on January 24 after suffering a heart attack. She says the family is aware of various rumors going around as to how he died … and she wants people to know the truth. She tells us speculation he died from drugs is not true as he didn't do drugs.

We're told a candlelight vigil is taking place later today in his Atlanta neighborhood.

Chrissy Teigen has announced the sad news that her family dog has died.

The model shared the heartbreaking news in an Instagram post on Saturday that her French Bulldog, Penny has gone to doggy heaven. "Our beautiful little tripod queen, penny, passed on peacefully in her sleep today," she wrote.

She says Penny was born the same day her and her husband, John Legend, got married 11 years ago. "She was there for us for every baby, every loss, every joy," she said.

Atlanta rapper and DJ Unk has died ... TMZ has learned.

Unk's wife, Sherkita Long-Platt, posted on Facebook Friday afternoon ... "Please respect me and my family. I just lost my husband and my kids just lost their father. Our life will never be the same. I LOVE YOU ANTHONY FOREVER"

Unk -- legal name Anthony Leonard Platt -- started out in the late 1990s, eventually forming Southern Style DJs with DJ Montay and DJ Jelly, throwing parties around Georgia. Unk got signed to Big Oomp Records in 2000, along with Montay.

Nebraska football standout Calvin Jones -- who went on to play several seasons in the NFL -- was found dead in his Omaha home this week. He was 54 years old.

According to an incident report, Omaha Police responded to the residence around 8:30 PM on Wednesday ... and upon arrival, discovered Jones' body in the basement.

Officials tell TMZ Sports a gas generator was located inside the home and "signs of carbon monoxide poisoning" were evident ... but an official cause of death will be announced after an autopsy is completed.

Kesha is mourning the loss of one of her beloved cats ... confirming the death of her adored feline, Carl, in a somber update for fans.

The pop star shared the sad news on her Instagram early Friday morning, where she posted a poignant tribute featuring several pics of herself snuggling her white and gray furry friend.

Alongside the upload, the singer shared how Carl's death "really broke my heart this time."

TMZ Sports has obtained the mug shot of the woman who was accused of killing Minnesota Vikings cornerback Khyree Jackson and two of his friends in a car crash last July.

As we previously reported, Cori Clingman was arrested on Thursday after allegedly striking Jackson's Dodge Charger with her Infiniti Q50 while attempting to change lanes at a high rate of speed on July 6, 2024, according to the Prince George's County State's Attorney's Office.

Officials said Clingman's vehicle forced Jackson's car to run off the road and hit several trees.

The driver who allegedly caused the car wreck that killed Minnesota Vikings cornerback Khyree Jackson and two others has just been hit with multiple criminal charges.

The Office of the State's Attorney for Prince George's County in Maryland announced Thursday that Cori Clingman is now facing counts of grossly negligent and criminally negligent vehicular manslaughter, as well as counts of vehicular manslaughter related to driving under the influence over allegations she drove her Infiniti Q50 into Jackson's Dodger Charger back on July 6.

Officials allege Clingman was traveling at a high rate of speed in Upper Marlboro while impaired ... and hit Jackson's ride as she was trying to make a lane change. Jackson's vehicle, cops said, careened off the road and hit multiple trees.

Barry Goldberg, a renowned keyboardist who performed with Bob Dylan, has died ... the musician's rep has confirmed.

The blues-rock performer died surrounded by his loved ones -- including wife Gail and son Aram -- in hospice care ... 10 years after he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of blood cancer.

Goldberg was a notable part of the '60s American music scene as a member of The Paul Butterfield Blues Band ... famously supporting Dylan on the keyboard when the folk legend debuted his new electric sound at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival.

Actress Reatha Grey, famous for her work with the viral comedy group Retirement House, is dead.

Reatha's TikTok group announced her passing this week, though the cause of death is unclear.

Retirement House is paying homage to Reatha in social media posts, including a video with footage of her bungee jumping, swimming, and dancing on the show ... all with Frank Sinatra's "My Way" playing in the background.

Famed rapper Project Pat's son has died after a shooting in a Tennessee park -- though the details around the incident are still murky ... TMZ has learned.

Patrick Houston Jr. -- son of the rapper and nephew of Three 6 Mafia co-founder Juicy J -- was killed last week in Imogene Heights, a historically Black Memphis neighborhood.

Memphis Police say the shooting went down just after 1 PM Friday ... and, when officers arrived at the scene, they found Houston dead.

A terrifying moment was captured on video during Wednesday's deadly Tennessee school shooting — as gunfire erupted with people ducking for cover just before the assailant killed himself.

Check it out ... a witness filming the chaotic scene with a cell phone camera crouched behind the cashier's station inside the cafeteria at Antioch High School in Nashville.

Two loud gunshots can be heard as students and school personnel order everyone to "move." After the second shot, someone screams, "He shot himself!"

Writer and producer Barry Michael Cooper has died in Baltimore, Maryland ... TMZ has learned.

Cooper wrote a series of iconic 1990s movies, including "New Jack City," starring Wesley Snipes and Chris Rock ... "Above The Rim," starring Tupac Shakur ... and "Sugar Hill." He also produced the 2017-2019 TV series "She's Gotta Have It," based on the Spike Lee film of the same name.

He began his career as a journalist, writing for Spin Magazine and the Village Voice, among others.

The Nike sneakers Kobe Bryant wore during one of the most iconic moments of his career are up for grabs ... and TMZ Sports has learned the one-of-a-kind piece of memorabilia could go for more than half a million dollars!!

The size 13 Kobe 8 Elites Bryant wore during the Lakers vs. Warriors game on April 12, 2013 are hitting the auction block ... the same matchup where the late Hall of Famer tore his Achilles in the fourth quarter, but nailed two free throws before limping off the court.

It was a true display of Bryant's toughness ... as he clearly was down for the count, but made sure to do his job at the charity stripe to tie the game at 109 with three minutes left.

"Bling Empire: New York" star Lynn Ban died weeks after a skiing accident that landed her in the hospital with a brain bleed ... her son announced this morning.

Lynn died unexpectedly after posting about her accident and her subsequent brain surgery several weeks ago. Lynn's son, Sebastian, shared a series of family photos on Instagram, saying he thought her fans would want to know she died Monday.

Lynn starred on the reality TV show, which follows a group of wealthy Asian-Americans living in New York City. She was a jewelry designer.

Garth Hudson, the last surviving member of the classic rock group The Band, has died.

Hudson died in his sleep in Woodstock, New York Tuesday morning, according to his estate.

Hudson, who played keyboards, was a founding member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group, which later became a backing band for Bob Dylan in the 1960s before branching out to success on its own.