RIP

Legendary boxing ring announcer Michael Buffer says he's heartbroken over the passing of Mills Lane ... telling TMZ Sports the fight ref was "one of the all-time greats."

Lane passed away on Tuesday morning ... after he had been in hospice. His son, Tommy Lane, told the Reno Gazette Journal that Mills had taken "a significant decline in his overall situation" recently and died while surrounded by his family.

Just days after his passing, Buffer remembered Mills as a solid dude who he'd miss.

"I worked with him many times," Buffer said at LAX. "For me, I always just loved the way he would say, 'Let's get it on!' through the instructions in the middle of the ring."

"He was a great guy."

Buffer also told us he enjoyed Mills on his court show, "Judge Mills Lane."

"One of the all-time greats, without a doubt," Buffer said. "Popular, and knew what he was doing."

Mills reffed for decades, and worked alongside Buffer at popular fights for years in the '90s.

He gained national fame for the way he reffed the infamous Mike Tyson vs. Evan Holyfield ear-biting fight in 1997. He later starred on MTV's popular "Celebrity Deathmatch" show.

CBS Sports journalist Grant Wahl -- one of the most respected soccer reporters in the country -- died while covering the World Cup, his brother announced Friday. He was 49 years old.

Grant was in Qatar when he passed ... and Eric Wahl believes foul play was involved, as he claims the reporter was receiving death threats over wearing a rainbow shirt in support of the LGBTQ+ community.

Eric says Grant had zero health issues ... explaining in a heartbreaking Instagram video, "I do not believe my brother just died. I believe he was killed."

As we previously reported, Wahl was detained for nearly 30 minutes after World Cup security on Nov. 21 ... after he showed up to Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in Qatar for the United States' first tournament game against Wales.

To show his support for the LGBTQ+ community in a country where homosexuality is illegal, he wore a shirt with a soccer ball and a rainbow pattern.

At the time, Eric praised his brother and denounced soccer's governing body ... saying, "Shame on @FIFA for losing all control over this corrupt World Cup."

Grant was live-tweeting the Argentina vs. Netherlands game just hours ago ... with his last post coming at 1:05 PM PT.

Eric says he spoke with Grant's wife, Celine, who says he collapsed at the stadium and was given CPR before being Ubered to a hospital, where he died.

Eric added Celine has spoken to Ron Klain, President Joe Biden's chief of staff, as well as the White House.

U.S. Soccer released a statement on Wahl's passing ... saying, "The entire US Soccer family is heartbroken to learn that we have lost Grant Wahl."

"Here in the United States, Grant’s passion for soccer and commitment to elevating its profile across our sporting landscape played a major role in helping to drive interest in and respect for our beautiful game."

"As important, Grant’s belief in the power of the game to advance human rights was, and will remain, an inspiration to all."

Grant's last article on his Substack focused on Qatari officials' apathy toward the rash of migrant worker deaths surrounding the World Cup ... saying, "They just don't care."

YG is honoring his late friend Slim 400 with help from Lil Wayne on a new sobering track on the one-year anniversary of his murder.

The song "Miss My Dawgs" borrows a script from Wayne's 2004 'Carter 1' track with the RIP vibes and features both rap stars rapping fondly of the lost loved ones using big crimson energy.

YG posts up next to a hearse throughout the black-and-white visual as splices of Slim 400 footage pepper the clip. The video ends with a throwback photo of YG, Slim, Wayne and Meek Mill ... harking back to the good times.

Slim was shot and killed on December 9, 2021 in Inglewood after being confronted in the driveway of a residence.

TMZ Hip Hop broke the story over the summer ... Inglewood police arrested a man and woman in connection to Slim 400's death and charged them with murder and possession of a firearm by a felon and accessory after the fact, respectively.

YG showed Wayne his appreciation for the collab by gifting him with a diamond-encrusted 4Hunnid label chain ... and fans can anticipate hearing the song live.

Helen Slayton-Hughes, known most recently for her role as Ethel Beavers on "Parks and Recreation," has died.

Helen's family shared the news Thursday, saying, "Helen passed away last night. Her pain has ended but her fierce spirit lives on. Thank you for the love and support of her and her work. Rest sweet one." The cause of death has yet to be revealed.

'Parks and Rec' fans remember Helen as Ethel, the court stenographer at Pawnee's city hall that had a brutal and hilarious attitude. She worked alongside Amy Poehler, Chris Pratt and Aubrey Plaza in a handful of episodes during the show's run ... and her character even agreed to get adopted by Chris and Aubrey's characters as their grandma.

Helen had been working in show biz for decades, appearing in a laundry list of projects ... including 'Power Rangers,' "The West Wing," "NYPD Blue," "Malcolm in the Middle," "That's So Raven," "Arrested Development," "My Name Is Earl," "Desperate Housewives," and "New Girl."

She was 92.

Tina Turner and her family have just suffered another devastating loss, her son Ronnie has died ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ they received a 911 call Thursday morning from a person who said Ronnie was outside their home and having a hard time breathing. A few minutes later, he wasn't breathing at all.

Paramedics rushed to the San Fernando Valley address -- where bystanders were attempting CPR -- but the efforts didn't work, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

It's currently unclear what led to Ronnie's medical emergency, but we know he's had health issues for years, including cancer.

It was back in 2018 when Tina's oldest son, Craig, died by suicide. Tina gave birth to Craig before she met Ike, but he adopted Craig once they wed.

As for Ronnie, he too made a name for himself in Hollywood -- as an actor in "What's Love Got to Do With It" in the '90s.

Ronnie was 62.

RIP

Barbara "Babs" Thore, known to many as Whitney's mom on "My Big Fat Fabulous Life," has died.

Whitney broke the news to fans Thursday ... saying her mom died Wednesday "just as the credits rolled on her favorite movie." She says the time she passed -- 10:32 PM -- was also the exact time Whitney was born back in 1984.

Whitney says her mom suffered from cerebral amyloid angiopathy ... an unfortunately untreatable condition that can cause brain bleeding, strokes and dementia. She says Babs had been having strokes since 2017.

She goes on to share her love for her mom, and her pain about the tragic loss -- she ends the post directed at the fans, "We are unbelievably thankful that we've been able to share her with you and it is our hope that her memory will continue to be a source of comfort and happiness for the rest of your lives ... I love you, mommy."

Fans of the show remember Babs in all 10 seasons of the TLC show ... as the series progressed, a portion of the show began focusing on her health struggles with her condition.

The 10th season saw Babs' road to recovery, and release from the hospital after suffering one of her strokes. TLC has yet to announce whether the hit series will return for the 11th season.

Babs is survived by Whitney, as well as her son, Hunter, and her husband, Glenn.

She was 76.

Courtney Clenney, the OnlyFans model accused of murdering her boyfriend, has been denied bond ... mostly because the court doesn't buy her claim that she killed him in self-defense.

According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ, a Florida judge isn't allowing Clenney to be released on bond while she awaits trial -- saying her description of how her BF, Christian Obumseli, got his fatal stab wound "is not supported by the evidence."

Specifically, the judge didn't buy Clenney's claim that she threw a knife at Obumseli from more than 10 feet away ... noting the medical examiner's testimony indicated the wound was too deep and required more pressure than could have been applied from throwing the blade.

The judge also ruled that releasing Clenney was not warranted because there are worries Clenney could leave the country ... noting she's got a ton of cash to do so if she wanted.

Cops in Idaho want to speak with whoever was driving or a passenger in a white Hyundai Elantra that may have been in the neighborhood on the night 4 college students were killed.

Moscow PD says they've received tips about a vehicle that matches this description -- the model year being between 2011 and 2013 -- near the crime scene in the early morning hours of November 13. They have not released a license plate number.

Investigators are also unsure how many people may have been inside the car, but in any case, they say they're seeking them out -- as they feel they might have more info.

Cops are not saying whether they suspect the occupant(s) of the vehicle is directly involved in the murders -- but it feels like a solid lead after weeks of dead ends, with no one in custody.

As we reported ... frustrations have mounted in the community after many conflicting and retracted statements from law enforcement. At first, it was labeled a targeted attack against the victims, then saying it was maybe just the house was targeted ... later correcting that too and saying they just didn't know.

Cops have also ruled out an alleged stalker of one of the victims as a possible lead -- and don't seem to have moved much further beyond square one in terms of answers.

Anne Heche had cocaine in her system at the time of the car crash that eventually took her life ... according to the actress' final autopsy and toxicology report.

According to the documents, obtained by TMZ, cocaine was detected in Heche's blood when investigators pulled a sample after Anne crashed her car into a home, causing a massive fire and trapping her for 45 minutes in her vehicle.

The toxicology also states fentanyl was detected in Heche's urine, though it's been determined that was administered in the hospital as she was getting treatment for pain.

Interestingly enough, there was no alcohol in Anne's system ... remember, Anne appeared to have some sort of bottle up front with her in her Mini Cooper just moments before the crash.

TMZ broke the story, it was August 5 when Anne was observed driving erratically through neighborhood streets before slamming into a home. While she appeared responsive as paramedics loaded her into an ambulance, Anne quickly went into a coma and did not survive.

Both Quavo and Offset are missing their late Migos brother Takeoff dearly ... and expressing it in completely different ways on social media.

Quavo has remained off the grid since Takeoff's funeral on November 11, while Offset has been sharing a mix of memories and sadness. Offset asked fans Tuesday to only remember Takeoff in a positive light going forward ... posting a pic of Jesus Christ to hammer home his point.

There's a possible chance that Offset was reacting to the latest social media rumors that Takeoff's parents, Titania Davenport-Treet and Kenneth M Ball, were currently battling over his estate ... as he's said to have died without a will at the age of 28.

Legendary boxing ref Mills Lane -- perhaps best known for his portrayal in MTV's iconic "Celebrity Deathmatch" show -- has sadly died, his son announced.

He was 85 years old.

Tommy Lane told the Reno Gazette Journal Mills passed away on Tuesday morning in Nevada ... after being in hospice the past few days.

"He took a significant decline in his overall situation," Tommy said of his dad to the outlet. "It was a quick departure. He was comfortable and he was surrounded by his family."

Mills began boxing in his 20s while in the Marines, and quickly stacked up an impressive resume -- ultimately logging a 10-1 record as a pro. He later became a ref in the sport.

It was in 1997, though, that he gained national fame ... while reffing the infamous Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield ear-biting bout.

After Iron Mike had taken chunks of Holyfield's ear, it was Mills who ultimately DQ'ed the former champ. Mills then eventually retired from reffing in 1998.

Mills went on to host his own court show, "Judge Mills Lane" ... as well as being featured in "Celebrity Deathmatch."

In the MTV production, an animated clay version of Mills started every bout by screaming, "Let's Get It On!" The show gained a huge following for its gory representation of celebrity fights.

Mills eventually left the show in 2002 after suffering a stroke, being replaced by Chris Edgerly in the 2006 reboot.

During his lifetime, Mills -- who was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2013 -- also worked as a prosecutor, a district attorney and a real-life judge.

Kirstie Alley -- who made a name for herself on both television and film -- has died after a private battle with cancer.

Her family announced Monday, "We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered."

They continued ... "She was surrounded by her closest family and fought with great strength, leaving us with a certainty of her never-ending joy of living and whatever adventures lie ahead. As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more amazing mother and grandmother. We are grateful to the incredible team of doctors and nurses at the Moffitt Cancer Center for their care."

Her two children wrote in the statement, "Our mother's zest and passion for life, her children, grandchildren and her many animals, not to mention her eternal joy of creating, were unparalleled and leave us inspired to live life to the fullest just as she did."

Alley became a household name as Rebecca Howe on "Cheers" from 1987-1993 … a role that netted her both an Emmy and Golden Globe in 1991. She went on to snag her second Emmy for her role in "David's Mother."

Fans will also remember her for her leading role in the 80s flick "Look Who's Talking," the films "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan," "It Takes Two" and many others.

She's survived by her two kids, William True and Lillie Price.

She was 71.

RIP

Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr. and D'Sean Perry -- the three Univ. of Virginia football players who were tragically shot and killed in a terrifying incident on campus last month -- have been posthumously awarded degrees.

The school announced the honors on Monday ... with athletic director Carla Williams saying the gesture became important to her and the university after having talked with Davis' family at his funeral last month.

"He worked extremely hard for it," Williams said of Davis' degree.

Davis had majored in African American and African studies. Perry double majored in studio art and African American and African studies. Chandler, meanwhile, majored in American studies.

"It was a great honor to be a part of presenting these diplomas to the families of Devin, Lavel and D'Sean," Williams added.

As we previously reported, Davis, Chandler, and Perry all died while returning to campus from a class field trip on Nov. 13.

Christopher Darnell Jones Jr., a former UVA football player, is the man police have accused of pulling the trigger. He's since been hit with multiple charges, including three counts of second-degree murder.

Two other students, including UVA running back Mike Hollins, were also wounded in the shooting ... but both have since been released from the hospital following treatment and are expected to make a full recovery.

A$AP Rocky's set to break his 5-year album hiatus soon ... but he's not exactly thrilled about the comeback.

The A$AP Mob rapper thinks today's hip hop space is marred, on account of the constant deaths and brewing competition from other genres. Rocky was speaking on his desire to have his art at the forefront, but acknowledged the string of rapper deaths is affecting him.

Migos' star Takeoff, PnB Rock, JayDaYoungan and Trouble all died violently this year ... seriously sucking the joy out of the culture.

Rocky told Complex, "It’s such a really weird time for hip hop ... we’re losing so many legends."

Rap has consistently dominated charts for the past few years, but 2022 saw Bad Bunny and Taylor Swift amongst the top streamers, with Drake being the only frequent representative for hip hop on the lists.

Rocky continued, "Pop is fighting for the number one spot, as far the most predominant genre. It’s a really weird time right now. I don’t really care for the politics of it. I just want to give motherfuckers some dope shit."

LeBron James and Magic Johnson said Monday they're heartbroken to learn Norm Pattiz -- one of the Lakers' most famous superfans -- has died ... with the duo both penning tribute notes to the late broadcasting entrepreneur.

Johnson took to Twitter to share his homage ... calling Pattiz his "long time friend."

"I'll always remember Norm cheering on the Lakers from his floor seats & clapping on every possession & play with his program!" he said. "Sending my prayers to his wife Mary and entire family."

James, meanwhile, shared his heartfelt message on his IG page -- writing, "Rest in paradise Norm!!!"

Pattiz -- the founder of the original Westwood One and PodcastOne who was ultimately inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame -- reportedly passed away on Sunday. A cause of death was not revealed. He was 79 years old.

Pattiz gained notoriety at Lakers games for his courtside seats -- which he owned for over three decades.

The Lakers themselves paid tribute to him following the news of his death, sharing a pic of him in a custom Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal suit jacket at Staples Center.

"We will always treasure his spirit for the game and love for the team," the team said. "He will be missed."

Kirstie Alley's death is not only shocking to fans, but also to her closest friends and costars -- like Ted Danson and New Kids On the Block singer Jonathan Knight -- who are expressing their love and admiration for the late actress.

Her fellow "Cheers" vet, Ted, says he was actually on a plane Monday, watching an episode of their classic sitcom -- the one where guest star Tom Berenger proposes to Kirstie's character, Rebecca.

He told People he got the horrible news about Kirstie when he got off that flight.

He added, "I am so sad and so grateful for all the times she made me laugh. I send my love to her children. As they well know, their mother had a heart of gold. I will miss her."

Kelsey Grammer also shared some of his thoughts on the loss, saying ... "I always believed grief for a public figure is a private matter, but I will say I loved her."

Of course, "Cheers" fans know Kirstie got her big break starring alongside Kelsey and Ted on the show.

Jonathan, a longtime friend of Kirstie who she'd jokingly refer to as "her husband," expressed his pain too ... posting on social media about how his "heart is ripped into a million pieces, and half my soul has been taken away."

Kirstie's final TV performance was actually in April on "The Masked Singer" -- she competed as the Baby Mammoth, beltin' out to "Walkin' After Midnight" by Patsy Cline and "The Shoop Shoop Song" by Cher.

She got a standing ovation from the judges, and said she wanted to be on the show for her grandkids.

As we reported, Kirstie's family announced her death Monday, saying "We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered."

She was 71.