Drugs & Alcohol

Bethenny Frankel's late boyfriend, Dennis Shields, was able to utter a few words to EMTs and police before he died -- and they paint a clearer picture of how he passed.

Sources say Dennis told the responding EMTs and cops he'd taken some of his prescribed oxycodone as well as Vicodin and a sleeping pill ... all to ease the pain from a back injury.

Doctors warn that opioids should never be taken with sleeping pills or other sedatives. Opioids slow respiratory function and sleeping pills do the same. The two combined can have a dangerous, synergistic effect that could result in death.

As we reported, Dennis' assistant had administered 2 doses of Narcan before authorities arrived. They administered an additional dose of Narcan, but Dennis could not be saved.

Our law enforcement sources say police also found numerous prescription bottles scattered throughout his apartment ... although no illicit drugs nor drug paraphernalia were uncovered.

Bethenny attended Dennis' funeral service earlier this week and dissolved in tears. She paid tribute to both Dennis and her deceased dog, Cookie, on IG.

The Montreal Alouettes have placed Johnny Manziel in the concussion protocol following a massive hit he took on Saturday -- though the QB says it's Rx medication that's making him feel off.

Manziel took a monster shot at the goal line in Saturday's game against the Ottawa Redblacks -- his body went limp, he fumbled the ball and looked woozy after the play. However, he stayed in the game.

Manziel missed practice on Tuesday and Wednesday and now the team has issued a statement saying the QB has medical concerns.

"On Tuesday morning Johnny Manziel mentioned to our medical staff that he felt symptoms that could be associated with the prescribed medication he uses for a previously diagnosed medical condition."

FYI, Manziel has previously stated that he takes medication for bipolar disorder.

However, it's clear the team believes Manziel's condition may not be solely related to the meds -- suggesting he may have suffered a concussion in Saturday's game.

"In view of the hit he received on Saturday and the potential mitigating side effects of his prescribed medication, the Alouettes medical staff has placed Manziel under the CFL concussion protocol for further observation and precautionary reasons."

"Manziel will be closely observed and assessed over the next few days."

The man who showed up at Demi Lovato's home and allegedly smoked drugs with her hours before her OD is no stranger to the law -- cops nabbed him in a huge bust one month before he connected with the singer.

Brandon Johnson was arrested back in March with a stash of guns, drugs and cash ... according to law enforcement. When cops picked him up in North Hollywood he allegedly had narcotics, a fully loaded semi-automatic handgun and $10k in his pocket.

Officers then searched Johnson's home and say they discovered more guns, drugs and ammo. He was also arrested in June and charged with DUI and possession of cocaine.

TMZ broke the story ... Demi had been in contact with Johnson since April, and sources say he had supplied her with drugs.

We're also told Johnson is the man Demi texted to come over at 4 AM the morning she overdosed after freebasing Oxycodone potentially laced with fentanyl.

A source connected to Brandon tells us he's been telling friends he and Demi have had a "romantic relationship" but other sources say there was no romantic relationship. We're also told he denies "dealing" her drugs.

YG was sober as a judge when a flight attendant claimed he was drunk and kicked him off a plane Monday night ... according to rapper Slim 400, who was also on the flight.

Slim, one of YG's artists, says the trouble started when YG asked the American Airlines flight attendant if he could change his seat. He says there was no yelling or cussing ... just a calm request, but still things went south.

He says it only escalated because of the flight attendant's reaction to YG's request. You gotta see his description of what went down. Slim suggests the attendant's attitude was racially motivated because he's positive YG wasn't drunk and shows us why.

As we reported, YG posted a video as he was leaving the plane, claiming the airline was a bunch of "Racist ass muthaf***as." American tells us he was kicked off "due to being intoxicated."

Demi Lovato's near-death OD began at 4 AM July 24, when she texted a drug dealer to come to her house ... sources tell TMZ.

Sources with direct knowledge tell us, Demi had been at a party in WeHo following a birthday celebration at Saddle Ranch on the Sunset Strip. After the drug dealer got the text, he came to her house and we're told the 2 of them freebased Oxycodone on tin foil.

Our sources say unbeknownst to Demi, the drug dealer had a bad habit of buying dirty drugs from Mexico ... and the batch in question appeared to be laced with fentanyl -- that's the same drug that killed Prince and Lil Peep.

We're told the dealer fled her home when he noticed she was in bed, breathing very heavily.

Our sources say Demi had been using the dealer since April.

TMZ broke the story ... someone on Demi's staff found her around 11:30 AM on the 24th. She had to be revived with Narcan.

Demi was hospitalized for 2 weeks and then went to an out-of-state rehab facility. Last Friday, she and her mom flew to Chicago for a few days where she received treatment from a renowned addiction specialist.

YG was flying high even before his flight left the gate ... at least according to American Airlines, which promptly kicked his allegedly drunken ass off the plane.

YG boarded the LAX to JFK flight Monday night, but wasn't there long. The rapper was pissed off as he made that long, lonely and embarrassing walk back down the jetway. He said, "F**k American Airlines! They said I'm drunk. I'm sober than a muthaf***a!"

American tells TMZ ... YG was indeed kicked off "due to being intoxicated." After seeing his video, though, AA tried to slide into his DMs.

As he made his exit, YG made it clear he thinks this was less about booze, and more about FWB. He blurted, "Racist ass muthaf***as. I'm sober!!"

Nick Cannon promises his new show about the Bay Area will be dripping in authenticity 'cause he's got Oakland legends, E-40 and Too Short, on board as producers.

Nick tells TMZ he's psyched about his drama crime series, "The Yay Area," because it's going to chronicle Northern California's drug culture, and its connection to Silicon Valley, biker gangs and even the Black Panthers.

Nick's thinking "The Wire" meets "The Sopranos" -- and now that he has Short and 40 involved, he thinks things will move quickly. We're told several networks are interested, and Nick's sinking tons of his own dough into it.

Dak Prescott's father was arrested for possession of marijuana over the weekend in Texas ... where he was forced to pose for a mug shot.

For weed.

57-year-old Nathaniel Prescott was driving on Highway 87 in Orange County, TX -- about an hour and a half outside of Houston -- when he was stopped for a traffic violation.

During the stop, troopers discovered weed (less than 2 grams!) in the driver's side door of his Cadillac Escalade and arrested Prescott for misdemeanor possession ... a Class B offense.

Prescott was hauled to a nearby station where he was booked and posed for a mug shot. He was eventually released on $500 bond, according to KFDM's Peter Eliopoulos, who broke the story.

FYI, recreational weed is legal in 9 states. Medical is legal in 30 states.

10:07 AM PT -- Bethenny just posted a photo of Dennis lying beside her dog, Cookie, with a farewell message to both, saying ... "Rest In Peace my sweet babies who gave me endless unconditional love." Cookie died late last year after suffering a major seizure.

Bethenny Frankel was extremely emotional Monday during a final goodbye to her boyfriend, who died Friday of an overdose.

Dennis Shields was found dead in his apartment in Trump Tower from an apparent oxycodone OD. Law enforcement sources told us Dennis took an unknown quantity of oxy Thursday night which he had prescribed to him. He woke up Friday feeling ill and asked his housekeeper to go to the pharmacy and buy Narcan -- which counters the effects of opioids. When the housekeeper returned home, Dennis was beyond help.

Action Bronson was arrested Saturday in Kosovo after lighting up a joint on stage and hurling it into the crowd.

The Queens New York rapper was performing at the Sunny Hill festival when he crossed the line with weed. It didn't amuse cops -- at all -- and he was arrested right at the venue.

The video (below) is probably all prosecutors will need, because you see the rapper spark as plain as day.

Bethenny Frankel's boyfriend started the binge that killed him Thursday night and realized he was in trouble ... TMZ has learned.

Dennis Shields was found dead Friday in Trump Tower from an apparent oxycodone OD. Law enforcement sources tell TMZ, Dennis took an unknown quantity of oxycodone Rx pills Thursday night. He woke up Friday AM feeling ill and asked his housekeeper to go to the pharmacy to buy Narcan, which blocks the effects of an opioid overdose.

It's unclear when Dennis fell into a state of unconsciousness, but at some point the maid realized he was unresponsive and called 911. As we reported, the maid administered the Narcan but he remained unresponsive.

EMTs rushed to Trump Tower but it was too late.

Bethenny Frankel's on-again, off-again boyfriend, Dennis Shields, was found dead Friday of a suspected overdose ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ they got a call just after 9 AM for an unresponsive male. Upon arriving at Shields' Trump Tower apartment, they learned his assistant had administered Narcan but was unsuccessful in reviving him.

Our sources say they believe Shields OD'd on oxycodone ... but an autopsy is pending.

Frankel and Shields met nearly 30 years ago but didn't start dating until 2016. The relationship had many splits and makeups.

The New York Post first reported the death.

Ex-MLB All-Star pitcher Esteban Loaiza has formally pled guilty to felony cocaine possession with intent to distribute and now faces up to life in prison.

As we previously reported, the 46-year-old was arrested in San Diego back in February after officials said he was trying to move more than $500,000 in cocaine from a house located near a school.

Officials say Loaiza was using "sophisticated" smuggling devices to hide the 22 kilos of coke.

He initially pled not guilty -- but changed his plea. On Friday, he appeared in a San Diego federal courtroom to plead guilty to the charge.

Sentencing is scheduled for November 2 -- and he could face up to life in prison with a minimum of 10 years. He could also be deported to Mexico.

Former Tour de France winner Jan Ullrich has been arrested in Germany after officials say the cyclist beat up a hooker in Frankfurt.

Yes. You read that correctly.

The 44-year-old -- who won the Tour back in 1997 -- allegedly had a dispute with a female sex worker at a hotel ... and the incident turned physical.

Officials say the woman suffered injuries in the attack and Ullrich could be charged with assault or attempted murder. Cops also suspect he was under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

Demi Lovato left her rehab facility Thursday and flew to Chicago, but we've learned the trip was organized by doctors and designed to make her sober and healthy.

Sources with firsthand knowledge tell us, Demi and her mom landed in Chicago on a private jet at 2 AM Friday. We're told she's there to see a psychiatrist who specializes in mental health, sobriety and overall wellness.

Our sources say Demi will be in Chicago for several days for treatment, and then she'll fly back to reenter the rehab facility where she's been since last Saturday.

Our sources say the rehab facility recommended that Demi see the specialist in Chicago, and she jumped at it.

TMZ broke the story ... Demi almost died after OD'ing last month.

We're told she's fully committed to getting better.

President Trump's plan for an upcoming U.S. Space Force isn't just major news for the military ... it could be a huge windfall for beer and computer game producers too.

TMZ has learned the term "Space Force" has been quite popular, long before the Prez uttered the words for his proposed 6th branch of the military ... by makers of an arcade game, among others, that trademarked it in the '80s.

That game fizzled out and the trademark expired but, years later in 2014 ... a company filed paperwork for the rights to "SPACEFORCE" (one word) for online computer games and interactive educational games in the field of physics. According to the docs ... they've had the trademark on lockdown since 2015.

Then, after Trump first announced his Space Force idea in March, a shrewd business person jumped on the chance to own the rights to the name ... for beer.

According to legal docs, trademark paperwork for "Space Force" has also been filed as recently as June to make action figures and accessories.

Obviously, if these trademarks go through, the owners are set to benefit from the name recognition of the government's new military service ... which Mike Pence says will be created by 2020.