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Dr. Henry C. Lee -- a renowned forensic scientist whose testimony for the defense is credited with helping a jury acquit O.J. Simpson in the world-famous double-murder trial in 1995 -- died today at his home in Henderson, Nevada. He was 87.

Among other high-profile cases, Lee worked on the JonBenét Ramsey murder investigation in the 1990s, the Laci Peterson case in the early 2000s, as well as the Elizabeth Smart kidnapping. He also assisted the forensics investigation of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Denise Richards' estranged husband, Aaron Phypers, is now on the hook for a hefty sum after failing to respond to a lawsuit ... TMZ has learned.

According to court docs obtained by TMZ, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge granted a default judgment in the amount of approximately $160K against Aaron.

The case was brought by a widower named Rupert Perry, who says he lost his wife, Elina Katsioula-Beall, in May 2024 following a battle with sarcoma cancer.

Rupert filed a lawsuit against Aaron for alleged fraud and breach of contract in November 2024, claiming Elina met Aaron -- who was running a wellness center at the time -- in June 2023 when her normal cancer treatments were not working.

Joy-Anna Duggar says her brother Joseph Duggar's alleged actions are disturbing ... adding she's been a total wreck since he was arrested.

Joy-Anna posted her statement to Instagram on Thursday ... telling her followers that the allegations against her brother are "heartbreaking and deeply disturbing."

She says her heart goes out to the victim ... and she's grieved by all the pain and harm Joseph allegedly caused her.

'Looksmaxxing' streamer Clavicular has a spotlight on him in Florida ... he's under investigation for shooting up a dead alligator in the Everglades.

Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins says the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is looking into the incident.

As we reported ... Clavicular was in the middle of a streaming marathon, cruising through the Everglades in an airboat, when his group came upon a dead gator floating in the water. The streamer then whipped out a handgun and squeezed off a bunch of shots, using the reptile as his target.

Kim Kardashian and Ray J hashed out a secret settlement in 2023 that prohibited either from dishing about their infamous sex tape -- and TMZ obtained a copy of the agreement.

Kim and Kris submitted the deal executed by the mother-daughter duo, along with Ray J and his mother, Sonja Norwood, in April 2023.

The deal was titled “Confidential Settlement Agreement and Mutual General Release.”

“The parties have agreed to enter this agreement addressing all past, current, or future claims, disputes, causes of action, defenses, and alleged losses, including without limitation, all claims and defenses arising out of or concerning the subject matter of the sex tape.”

'Looksmaxxing' streamer Clavicular is now jailmaxxing in Florida ... after getting arrested for battery in Fort Lauderdale.

According to jail records, Clavicular -- real name Braden Eric Peters -- was arrested Thursday night on a warrant out of Osceola County and hit with a misdemeanor battery charge.

The 20-year-old posed for a stone-faced mugshot ... staring blankly into the camera. Records list him at 6'1", 170 pounds ... with a bond set at $1,000.

Taylor Frankie Paul's mother Liann got a late-night call from cops hours after the 2023 fight that led to Taylor's domestic violence arrest ... and she was asked about any injuries to her granddaughter from the incident.

In police body cam footage, obtained by TMZ, you can hear an officer with the Herriman City Police Department reach out to Liann around 3 AM to urgently check on her 5-year-old grandchild ... after reviewing cellphone footage from the scene.

According to the officer, that video appeared to show the young girl being hit by a metal stool during the altercation between Taylor and her boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen ... raising fears of a possible head injury or concussion that may not have been immediately obvious.

Britney Spears has major beef with an ex-bodyguard who allegedly hacked into her personal devices and Apple iCloud account ... and now she's threatening legal action.

The singer’s lawyer fired off a cease-and-desist letter, obtained by TMZ, to Thomas Bunbury ... who she claims gained access to her devices and iCloud account without her authorization or consent.

In the letter, dated last month, Brit says Bunbury's allegedly violating a bunch of state and federal laws ... and she's threatening to report him to law enforcement and press charges.

Another batch of domestic violence allegations against Taylor Frankie Paul has made it to a district attorney's desk ... and they're weighing their options.

Draper Police Chief Rich Ferguson tells TMZ ... the City Prosecutor has submitted the case to the Salt Lake County District Attorney for evaluation ... this is regarding the alleged February incident in which TFP is accused of choking Dakota Mortensen and ripping a necklace off his neck.

According to Ferguson, the D.A. will determine if any charges will be filed ... but even if the D.A. doesn't file charges, the City Prosecutor could still decide to bring forth more legal action in the case.

Bill Cosby was just "having a good time" back in the day when he was giving Quaaludes to women in hopes of having sex with them ... and that's a real quote from his former manager.

Andrew Wyatt joined us on "TMZ Live" Thursday and we asked him about 88-year-old Bill losing a civil lawsuit to Donna Motsinger, who alleged he drugged and raped her in 1972.

Incredibly, Andrew says Cosby feels like he's being singled out because he was not the only entertainer "having a good time" in the '70s. Yeah.

The legal battle between Justin Baldoni’s team and his former publicist Stephanie Jones is heating up, with a federal judge ruling Baldoni's production company's claim of defamation can move forward ... TMZ has learned.

According to court docs obtained by TMZ, a federal judge ruled the defamation claims filed by Wayfarer against Stephanie can proceed.

Wayfarer claimed Stephanie made statements to persons -- including Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds and Blake’s publicist Leslie Sloane -- that Wayfarer had retaliated against Blake and others for reporting alleged sexual misconduct and spearheaded a smear campaign against her.

The guy Alan Ritchson beat up on video tells us he dropped charges against the actor ... without any money being exchanged between them.

Ronnie Taylor -- Alan's belligerent neighbor who confronted him for tearing through their quiet neighborhood on a motorcycle -- tells TMZ he dropped charges because he had zero interest in going to court.

He says, "I was only interested in the safety of my neighborhood because he was racing through the neighborhood."

Jarvis Butts has reportedly died in prison ... just two weeks after being sentenced for killing 13-year-old Na'Ziyah Harris.

According to Fox 2 Detroit, the Michigan Department of Corrections says Butts died on Thursday at Charles Egeler Reception and Guidance Center … and his death is being investigated as a suicide. Officials say the staff took “life-saving measures” that were ultimately unsuccessful.

On March 12, Butts pleaded guilty to Na’Ziyah’s murder and was sentenced to 35 to 60 years behind bars -- seen in the video above. During sentencing, the judge said … “Mr. Butts, you’re going to have many years to sit and dwell on your horrible actions.”

Matthew Perry’s drug dealer, the "Ketamine Queen," is being supported in court by rock star Slash’s ex-wife, Perla Hudson ... TMZ has learned.

According to court docs, obtained by TMZ, "The Ketamine Queen" -- AKA Jasveen Sangha -- asked a judge not to throw the book at her in her upcoming sentencing.

Jasveen is pushing for leniency based on her lack of criminal history, and says she has remained sober since her arrest. She's been behind bars since August 2024 and pleaded guilty last year to five federal charges related to Perry's 2023 death.

As part of her argument, Jasveen submitted a series of letters from family and friends to push back on prosecutors' effort to persuade the judge to sentence her to 15 years in prison.

Christian "King" Combs' L.A. residence was a target for an attempted burglary early Thursday morning ... and in dispatch audio obtained by TMZ, cops are heard rushing to the home.

According to the audio, the incident was first reported as a burglary in progress with the person who contacted authorities identifying themselves as the homeowner -- telling dispatch they were out of town at the time, but monitoring their Ring camera.

The caller -- who is identified as King Combs' girlfriend, Raven Tracy -- said suspects had attempted to break into the home ... and according to the dispatch audio, the caller's partner was inside the residence, as was as an employee who also called cops.

Diddy’s son Christian "King" Combs is dealing with a scary situation this morning … after his L.A. home was the scene of an attempted burglary.

The harrowing incident unfolded early Thursday morning … when LAPD responded to a Porter Ranch mansion where he and his girlfriend, Raven Tracy, live. Officers were initially dispatched for a “burglary hot prowl” -- essentially when a suspect is trying to break in when a resident is inside -- around 12:45 AM.

Officers took a report of an attempted burglary at the scene after an employee at the house called police. Police said there was an attempt to enter through the rear door, but suspects did not gain entry. Another person monitoring surveillance video also called LAPD.