Kyler Murray Helps 6-Yr-Old TX Shooting Victim ... With $15k Donation

Kyler Murray is stepping up in a big way ... the Arizona Cardinals star just donated thousands of dollars to William Cho, the 6-year-old boy who lost his loved ones in the Texas mass shooting earlier this month.

Cho had visited the Allen outlet mall on May 6 with his family ... when a gunman opened fire -- and killed his mom, dad and brother. Cho suffered injuries in the horrific rampage, but after spending time in the ICU, he's recovering well.

Friends of the Cho family set up a GoFundMe page with the hopes that it would provide the little boy with enough money to help him in the wake of the tragedy once he heals up ... and Murray raced in this week to open up his checkbook for the cause.

The 25-year-old quarterback -- who has close ties to the area ... as he went to high school in Allen -- shelled out $15,000.

He added in a tweet earlier this week he was ready to help more victims, too.

So far, the GoFundMe page -- which initially had a goal of raising $50,000 -- is up over $1.7 million.

"We are deeply grateful and sincerely appreciate this outpouring [of] love and prayers from all around the country," the page's organizers wrote.

"Both Kyu and Cindy's family will use these funds to help William continue the legacy of his parents."

Denny Crum U of L Coaching Legend Dead At 86

Denny Crum -- a two-time national championship-winning head coach for the University of Louisville basketball team -- has passed away, the school announced Tuesday.

He was 86 years old.

The Naismith Hall of Famer started his coaching career at UCLA after playing at both Los Angeles Pierce College and UCLA ... helping the Bruins win three titles as an assistant to John Wooden.

He went on to take the head coaching gig with Louisville in 1971 ... where he made 23 NCAA tournament appearances, including six Final Four berths.

Crum earned a 675-295 record before retiring in 2001 ... although he remained close to the program for years.

Current Cardinals head coach Kenny Payne released a statement on the news ... saying, "Today is a sad day for me personally, as well as the basketball world."

"My thoughts go through all the lessons that he taught, not just to me, but every player he ever came in contact with. Those lessons are still relevant today."

He added ... "We were so blessed to have him in our lives. He was a true treasure who gave so much to the university and the community. We must keep his memory alive. My prayers go out to his family and especially Susan."

Details surrounding Crum's passing were not released ... although he has been hospitalized twice over the years after suffering strokes.

"He is in a better place," Payne continued. "Rest in peace Coach. You touched so many. Well done."

Ex-Suns GM Lance Blanks Died By Suicide ... Daughter Says

Former Phoenix Suns general manager Lance Blanks died by suicide ... his daughter revealed.

In an emotional piece that Riley Blanks Reed penned for ESPN on Tuesday morning ... she announced Lance killed himself last Wednesday.

"People will want more information," Blanks Reed said of her father's death. "But the fact is we will never truly know why. And we don't need to. All we need to do is remember him, honor him, celebrate him, and pour our love into the family that made him happy."

Lance was 56 years old.

In her letter, Blanks Reed reminisced on all the good times she had with her father ... remembering him as "my person, my idol, my teacher, my best friend and my confidant."

"He encompassed everything to me," she said.

Lance starred at the Univ. of Texas from 1988 through 1989 -- and had such a great two seasons there, he was inducted into the school's Hall of Honor in 2007.

Following his Longhorns days, Lance went on to have careers as a player and an exec in the NBA -- ultimately working for the Suns as their GM from 2010 to 2013 -- before he signed on to be an analyst for the Longhorn Network.

Blanks Reed said while all of his career accomplishments were incredible ... she knew him best for being "a leader and a guardian angel."

"In the darkness of my worst nights," she wrote, "he always picked up the phone."

Blanks Reed added, "Daddy, Lance, LB, my forever hero, has left a void that cannot be filled. And yet, I find solace in the promise to honor him with everything he left us. In the loving embrace of my sister, Bryn, I will remember that we are both forever connected to the remarkable man who was our world."

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

Jerry Springer Gravesite Unveiled ... Wife's Burial Plot Ready Next to His

Jerry Springer's gravesite can now be seen for the first time ... and right off the bat, you might notice an adjacent plot for his wife -- although she's still very much alive.

TMZ has obtained photos of the late talk show host's final resting place -- which marks where he was buried a little over a week ago in a Chicago suburb. As you see, it's a relatively modest scene, with a large headstone and bench with his surname, "SPRINGER."

There's a separate slab with his first and middle name inscribed -- Gerald Norman. Right next to that is another space with a different headstone designated for Margaret 'Micki' Velton ... his wife of nearly 50 years.

We're calling Micki his wife because -- as sources with direct knowledge have explained to us -- all the reports of them having divorced in the '90s are complete BS. We're told they were never apart, and there weren't any marital issues as had been widely speculated.

As for why Micki's been labeled his ex-wife all these years without any correction from Jerry -- our sources say he was a very private person and didn't feel the need to address it publicly. In other words, they've been together as man and wife this whole time.

Now that that's cleared up ... let us clear up another thing in light of Micki's own headstone already being in the ground next to Jerry's -- there's nothing looming ... she's fine.

There's a larger 'SPRINGER' headstone that covers both plots -- the whole space is marked for Jerry and Micki. So, in other words ... he's just waiting for her.

As we reported, there are plans in place for a much larger public service/celebration of life on June 9 at a Memorial Hall in downtown Cincinnati. We're told organizers are anticipating a big turnout ... and they're planning to let around 500 people inside the venue.

Jerry died after a battle with pancreatic cancer, which he kept under wraps.

Jerry was 79. RIP

Allen Texas Mall Shooter Had SS, Swastika Tattoos

The suspect in the deadly shooting rampage at a Texas mall didn't keep his hateful beliefs a secret ... tattooing the Nazi swastika on his body and spreading sick messages on a Russian social media platform.

Mauricio Garcia, the gunman accused of gunning down 8 people and wounding others Saturday at an outdoor mall, had a large swastika tattooed on his chest ... plus a "SS" tattoo on his arm.

Garcia's alleged social media profile is reportedly chock full of hateful rants targeting women and minorities ... plus posts praising Adolf Hitler and neo-Nazis.

In one of the alleged social media posts, Garcia shows off a bulletproof vest with Punisher patches and one patch embroidered with "RWDS" ... which is short for "Right Wing Death Squad."

As we reported, the deadly shooting went down Saturday at the Allen Premium Outlets in Allen, Texas -- where video appears to show the gunman pulling up in a car, hopping out and firing into a crowd of shoppers.

The shooter was killed by a police officer and cops say the motive for the shooting is still unclear.

Ray Liotta Cause of Death Revealed ... Heart and Lungs Gave Out

Ray Liotta's cause of death has been released ... officials in the Dominican Republic found heart and respiratory system issues caused last year's tragic passing.

According to docs, obtained by TMZ, the actor's manner of death was categorized as natural and nonviolent ... citing respiratory insufficiency, pulmonary edema -- aka fluid in his lungs -- and acute heart failure.

The doc also says he suffered from atherosclerosis -- a thickening of the arteries caused by a buildup of plaque in the inner lining -- something that often leads to diabetes and other health issues.

As we reported, 67-year-old Ray was filming the movie "Dangerous Waters" in the D.R. last year. A source close to him told us he died in his sleep.

We obtained a photo of Ray just days before his death ... politely stopping to take a pic with a fan. We were told he was extremely kind during their exchange.

Juice WRLD Team Planning to Replace Mural ... Statue or Living Art Also Possible

Distraught Juice WRLD fans can take comfort ... plans for a new mural honoring him are already coming together after the original was abruptly removed from its Chicago site.

Peter Jideonwo, manager to the late "Lucid Dreams" rapper, tells TMZ Hip Hop that he and the family still have no clue who painted over the mural, which had become a beloved cultural landmark.

Thousands of fans flew to the windy city to see the original piece since its intro back in 2020 ... honoring Juice after his December 2019 death from a drug overdose.

The art piece cost the 999 Squad $50K to enlist artist Corey Pane.

No one has taken ownership of clearing the mural and the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation even conducted a paint test to prove it had nothing to do with it.

The city agency tells us there are protocols in place for artists to register, and to be notified when their graffiti is slated to be removed as well.

Although they're still in the early planning stages, Peter tells us he and the rest of Juice’s team are not only plotting how the new installation can be a better piece, but also one that withstands vandals or accidents going forward.

They're currently floating the idea of creating a life-sized statue or a mural that would be encased in a protective covering.

Oakland A's Vida Blue Dead at 73

Vida Blue -- one of the greatest pitchers in the Oakland Athletics' history -- has died.

The team announced his passing Sunday, writing ... "There are few players with a more decorated career than Vida Blue. He was a three-time champion, an MVP, a six-time All-Star, a Cy Young Award winner, and an Oakland A's Hall of Famer."

The A's add ... "Vida will always be a franchise legend and a friend. We send our deepest condolences to his family and friends during this arduous time." No other details about a cause of death were released -- the condolences, however, are pouring in from all over.

The man certainly left a mark on the game. As the A's noted, he'd won three World Series with the team in '72, '73 and '74 ... serving as an integral part of the starting rotations during their five years of dominance in baseball. And, as they note ... he was voted in as the best pitcher in the American League during his breakout year with the A's in 1971.

His stats, at times, were off the charts ... once achieving a 1.82 ERA in a season -- which means people weren't getting very many hits off him. He was a southpaw pitcher, and Vida had nasty stuff for that era. By and large, he was considered a massive threat on the mound.

VB was also known for his shrewd business savvy behind the scenes. He famously locked horns with the A's ownership for a big bump in salary -- and he ultimately got it.

Like we mentioned, just about every organization tied to MLB is sending a tribute to the guy ... which speaks to his impact. In addition to playing for the A's, Vida was also on the SF Giants and the Kansas City Royals before he retired in 1987. Vida was also a 6-time All-Star and the American League MVP in 1971 ... on top of all his other accolades.

He was 73. RIP

'Jerry Springer' Popularity Explodes On Streamers ... After Surprising Death

Jerry Springer's sudden and surprising death resulted in a renewed interest in his iconic daytime talk show ... and a tribute marathon did huge numbers.

Honchos at Pluto TV tell TMZ ... Nosey, a Pluto TV channel where folks can watch Jerry's show, ran a bunch of episodes after his death and there was so much interest, viewership across the streaming platform doubled.

Pluto TV says tens of thousands of folks tuned in to watch the drama unfold on reruns of "The Jerry Springer Show" ... with folks spending 33% percent more time on the app than usual.

As you know ... Jerry's syndicated talk show aired for 27 seasons, racking up nearly 5,000 episodes from 1991 to 2018 and making him one of daytime TV's most recognizable figures.

Jerry died April 27 as a result of pancreatic cancer ... a diagnosis many of his closest friends in Hollywood didn't even know he was struggling with.

In the wake of his death, the internet came alive with posts from fans sharing their favorite Jerry Springer moments, many of whom said they were planning to rewatch their favorite episodes ... and it seems lots of folks found their fix on Pluto TV.

"Jerry, Jerry, Jerry."

TikTok Dad Bobby Moudy Bank Foreclosed on House Just Before Suicide ... Family Devastated

We're learning more about the financial pressures TikTok dad Bobby Moudy was experiencing in the weeks leading up to his suicide -- the father of 3 had just lost his house.

A rep for Rankin County, Mississippi tells us the Moudy home was recently sold at auction after going into foreclosure. What's more, Moudy's wife, Jennifer, tells us she had no idea about the issues with the house ... making his death, and the fallout from it, even more challenging.

Not only that, we're told no one around Bobby had any idea he was struggling, and the suicide has everyone stunned -- it just wasn't something they thought he'd ever do. The family also understands Bobby was battling more than just financial issues, and was clearly struggling mentally as well.

050523-jennifer-moudy-kal
YOU ARE IMPORTANT
TMZ.com

Jennifer tells us Bobby never wanted to be a burden, and the family is really relying on their community for support. Next steps will be grief counseling for both Jennifer and the couple's 3 kids -- ages 10, 12 and 19.

She says despite the family's newfound financial struggles, their daughter Kaytlin will still be able to go to college in the fall. As we reported, there's been a GoFundMe set up to benefit the Moudys.

050423-bbmoudy-tiktok-kal-v2
JUST BEIN' DAD
TikTok / @bbmoudy

As for Bobby's popular TikTok account, Jennifer says she and Kaytlin will take it over, in the near future, with the same fun vibe. Jennifer tells us the profile will also be used to bring awareness to suicide and people who might be suffering in silence.

Jennifer says it gave Bobby joy to showcase his family through TikTok and he loved making people laugh. She says he was proud of his family, and he got enjoyment from giving others enjoyment.

TMZ broke the story ... Moudy took his own life in the family home April 28. A family rep said "Bobby was full of life and laughs, but also weighed down by financial pressures. His wife, Jennifer and their three children are in an emotional and financial crisis as he was their rock."

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

King Charles' Coronation Officially Crowned In Westminster Abbey ... God Save The King!

History has just been made, as King Charles has been given his crown at his monumental coronation -- taking the reins in a centuries-long tradition following last year's death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II.

Charles made things official Saturday morning at Westminster Abbey in London ... where people came in droves to watch the ceremony unfold, including Prince Harry, Prince William, Kate Middleton and other members of the royal family -- not to mention the millions/billions of others watching across the globe.

Charles gave the traditional coronation oath before signing a pledge to serve his people. He was later given St. Edward's Crown -- something that's been a part of the lineage for over 400 years!

William pledged allegiance following his father's crowning, while little Prince George served as one of the service's 4 Pages. The procession is now underway, taking Charles and Queen Camilla back to Buckingham Palace through the streets of London.

The coronation was conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby -- leading these coronations has been a task for Archbishops since the first one went down way back in 1066 for William I the Conqueror.

050623_king_charles_kal 5/6/23
GOD SAVE THE KING

Don't forget, today's festivities took a lot of preparation -- as we reported, Buckingham Palace was recently transformed in order for those involved to go over the layout on a more private scale.

This week, we've seen the likes of Prince William, Kate, and their kids heading to Westminster for some rehearsals ahead of the real deal.

And just days before the coronation, swarms of fans camped outside to show their support -- donning some pretty spectacular outfits, too.

You'll recall, Charles was thrust into power following the death of QE 2 in September ... news that rocked the entire world for weeks on end. Her funeral procession had all eyes on it, too.

091722_coffin_rushed_kal 9/16/22
SWIFT TAKEDOWN

Remember, her coffin was even rushed by someone as people waited up to 28 hours to pay respects -- but he was rapidly tackled by cops and arrested.

There was a ton of drama following her death, specifically between the royal fam and Prince Harry & Meghan Markle ... after the couple's Netflix series blasted what they saw as toxicity within the palace walls. Harry was even reportedly written out of Saturday's big event as a result of his book, "Spare."

PH and MM did eventually get an invite to the coronation, but only Harry attended, with Meghan and the kiddos staying across the pond.

The coronation's being followed by a massive concert with huge stars in attendance ... and we'll have you covered on that front, too.

Henry Ruggs Poses For New Mug Shot ... After Taking Plea Deal

Henry Ruggs was back at the Clark County Detention Center in Nevada this week ... where TMZ Sports has learned authorities made him pose for a new mug shot.

Because the former Raiders star took a plea deal from prosecutors in his DUI crash case on Tuesday, cops tell us he was required to head back to the Las Vegas jail on Thursday to be reprocessed.

As part of the procedure, Ruggs took a new photo ... and you can see, he didn't appear to be pleased to be back in front of a jail camera again.

Of course, the last time the 24-year-old had to pose for a mug shot was in 2021 ... after authorities accused him of drunkenly slamming his sports car into the back of Tina Tintor's Toyota, killing her and her dog.

At the time, Ruggs -- who was wearing a neck brace -- had visible cuts and bruises on his face in his mug shot.

Ruggs has since recovered from the injuries he suffered in the crash -- and his attorneys told a courtroom this week he reached an agreement with prosecutors to close out the criminal case against him.

Ruggs said he'll plead guilty to one felony count of DUI resulting in death and one misdemeanor count of vehicular manslaughter. In exchange, prosecutors said they'll drop the rest of the charges against the former NFL player.

If the plea deal is accepted at a court hearing next week, Ruggs will eventually be sentenced to anywhere from 3-to-10 years in prison.

NYC SUBWAY RIDER DEATH Jordan Neely Family Calls For Action ... Prosecute Man Who Fatally Choked Him

UPDATE

4:55 PM PT -- Daniel Penny's legal team, the law firm Raiser & Kenniff, tells TMZ ... "We would first like to express, on behalf of Daniel Penny, our condolences to those close to Mr. Neely."

UPDATE

Penny's attorneys continue ... "Mr. Neely had a documented history of violent and erratic behavior, the apparent result of ongoing and untreated mental illness. When Mr. Neely began aggressively threatening Daniel Penny and the other passengers, Daniel, with the help of others, acted to protect themselves, until help arrived."

UPDATE

They add ... "Daniel never intended to harm Mr. Neely and could not have foreseen his untimely death."

The family of the NYC subway rider who was choked to death wants prosecutors to go after the marine vet who put Jordan Neely in a fatal chokehold ... and they wonder why he hasn't even been arrested yet.

050523-lennon-edwards-kal 5/5/23
WE WANT JUSTICE
TMZ.com

Lennon Edwards, one of the attorneys representing Jordan's family, joined us Friday on "TMZ Live," and we asked what justice looks like for the Neelys.

Lennon says Jordan's family is outraged and feels like the justice system isn't working on their behalf -- he says it took too long for the medical examiner to rule Jordan's death a homicide, and now the family wants the marine, Daniel Penny, to face criminal charges.

Jordan's family is also taking issue with how some are framing the incident. The NYPD says Neely appeared to be having a mental health episode, with some witnesses telling cops Jordan's behavior made them fearful.

Lennon insists that feeling alone doesn't justify putting someone in a chokehold for 15 minutes ... arguing Penny, and not Neely, is who subway riders should have feared.

nypd protest MAY 2023
CLASHING WITH COPS
FNTV

What's more, Lennon says Jordan clearly showed he was unarmed when he took off his jacket to reveal a short-sleeve shirt ... and he says Penny appears to have attacked from behind.

Bottom line: the Neely fam thinks Penny should be in an NYPD jail cell right now.

Protests are erupting in the Big Apple and politicians are bickering over the way the incident is being discussed  ... and Lennon says the marine's actions seem like they have less to do with Jordan specifically, and more to do with his general feelings toward homeless people.

Originally Published -- 1:46 PM PT

TikTok Dad Bobby Moudy Dead by Suicide ... After Financial Struggles

Bobby Moudy, the father of 3 who gained TikTok fame by posting wholesome content with his family, has died ... TMZ has learned.

Moudy's family writes, "Bobby was a loving father, husband, brother and friend. On April 28th, he was a tragic victim of suicide. Bobby was full of life and laughs, but also weighed down by financial pressures. His wife, Jennifer and their three children are in an emotional and financial crisis as he was their rock."

050423-bbmoudy-tiktok-kal-v2
JUST BEIN' DAD
TikTok / @bbmoudy

The circumstances surrounding Moudy's suicide are currently unclear, but we know he died at home in Mississippi.

If you were one of the more than 500k followers of the Moudy family accounts, you know Moudy posted a ton of videos of his wife and kids, often using humor to share his life as a dad.

Friends of the Moudy family have established a GoFundMe to help the family through their loss and financial struggles in the wake of Bobby's death.

Bobby leaves behind his wife Jennifer, and kids Kaytlin, Max and Charleigh.

He was only 46.

RIP

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

Accused University Of Idaho Killer Bryan Kohberger Talks His Way Out of Traffic Ticket ... In New Police Body Cam Footage

050523-bryan-kohberger-kal 10/14/22
OFF WITH A WARNING

Bryan Kohberger had an interaction with police exactly one month before the grizzly murders of 4 Idaho college students, and body cam video reveals how he schmoozed his way out of a ticket.

Police body cam footage shows Kohberger getting pulled over by a patrol cop on the Washington State University campus in October 2022.

What's striking about the nine-plus-minute video was just how nice and respectful Kohberger acted toward the officer. His demeanor belies any notion he would commit such a gruesome crime ... but authorities say that's exactly what he did.

The footage began with the officer walking up to the open driver's side window of a car in which Kohberger was seated behind the wheel.

The cop told Kohberger -- a WSU criminal justice graduate student at the time -- he was stopped for running a red light. Kohberger responded that he was forced to turn left because he got stuck at an intersection. The officer then schooled Kohberger on Washington state traffic laws, basically outlining for him what he did wrong.

Kohberger fully accepted the officer's reasoning, going so far as to apologize to her for asking too many questions. At one point, he admitted that he wasn't familiar with the traffic laws because he's originally from Pennsylvania.

After checking his license and registration, the officer let Kohberger go without writing him up. Of course, the cop had no clue that the following month Kohberger would be embroiled in a quadruple homicide involving four University of Idaho students.

As we reported, Kohberger allegedly slipped inside an off-campus home on November 13 and fatally stabbed Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin and his girlfriend, Xana Kernodle.

010523_bryan_kohberger_hearing_kal_v3 1/5/23
HEARING THE CHARGES

Kohberger was eventually arrested and charged with the murders after police discovered his DNA at the crime scene and unearthed more evidence pointing to his possible guilt. Investigators have not disclosed his motive.

Kohberger is currently being held without bail in the Latah County jail while awaiting trial. He has denied any wrongdoing.

WWE's Sara Lee Died By Suicide

Former WWE wrestler Sara Lee -- a past winner of the org's famous "Tough Enough" show -- died by suicide in October ... this according to a new autopsy report, obtained by TMZ Sports.

In the Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office documents, officials say Lee ingested a lethal combination of alcohol and pills. They added that the former wrestler had left "letters of intent at the scene" before her death.

According to officials in the documents, Lee had bruises and abrasions on her head and body at the time of her passing -- though they suspected she may have suffered the injuries in a fall or falls while in an intoxicated state.

She was just 30 years old.

News of her death seven months ago rocked the wrestling world ... with the WWE saying in a statement at the time that it was heartbroken.

"As a former 'Tough Enough' winner, Lee served as an inspiration to many in the sports-entertainment world," the WWE said. "WWE offers its heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and fans."

Lee participated in season six of "Tough Enough" in 2015 and earned a one-year contract with the WWE from it. She wrestled for the org for most of 2016, but moved on to the independent circuit a short time later.

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

In 2017, she married WWE wrestler Wesley Blake ... and the couple had three kids together. Days after her death, Blake penned an emotional note to Sara on his Instagram page ... writing, "You were a motivator, a best friend, a sister, a daughter, an aunt, the back bone of our family, and (my favorite), my wife."

"I can’t promise that I will stop grieving but I know now, that you’re free," Blake said. "I can’t thank you enough for giving me the best years of my life so far."

RIP.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.