Colombian Miracle Children 4 Kids Who Survived Plane Crash, Jungle Now Ransom Targets
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The 4 kids who survived a fatal plane crash in Colombia and then somehow made it out alive after 40 terrifying days in the jungle are not out of danger ... because they are now prime targets for kidnapping.
TMZ has prepared a documentary on their incredible survival story that airs tonight on FOX at 8 PM ET, and the doc ends with the question -- Where do they go from here? Fact is, the kids -- ages 13, 9, 4 and 11 months at the time of the crash -- are now national celebrities.
People on the ground in Colombia who know the lay of the land tell us, ransom is currency in their country, and insurgents frequently target high-profile people for kidnapping.
As the kids recover physically and emotionally, government officials are trying to figure out who should care for them, and safety is a big factor.
You'd think their father would become the caregiver, but a bitter custody battle has exploded between the dad and the maternal grandparents. The grandparents claim the dad, Manuel Ranoque, was physically abusive toward the kids' mom, even striking her with a machete. The father tells TMZ he has never abused his late wife or the kids.
"TMZ Investigates: The Miracle Children of the Amazon" airs tonight on FOX at 8 PM ET.
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Colombian Miracle Children Kids Who Survived Fatal Plane Crash Hid from Rescuers
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The four children who survived a plane crash in Colombia last month and then fended for themselves in the treacherous Amazon jungle for 40 days, actually hid from their rescuers ... TMZ has learned.
The kids -- ages 13, 9, 4, and 11 months -- were onboard a Cessna that crashed in a Colombian jungle nose first, killing their mom, the pilot, and another man. Their survival story is incredible, and the subject of a TMZ documentary -- "TMZ Investigates: The Miracle Children of the Amazon" -- which airs tonight on FOX at 8 PM ET.
TMZ has had boots on the ground in Colombia since June 9, when the kids were rescued. As we report in the doc, military GPS shows rescuers were in earshot of the kids days before they were rescued, but the children hid from them. We're told they feared the rescuers were actually insurgent forces that would kill them.
There are two survival stories here -- surviving in the jungle amid wild animals, snakes, poisonous bugs, and deadly fruit, and surviving the plane crash itself. As for how they survived the crash, three of them were in the back of the plane, which remained relatively intact. As for the infant, she was cradled by her mother, who cushioned the child during impact.
"TMZ Investigates: The Miracle Children of the Amazon" airs tonight on FOX at 8 PM ET.
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'My 600-lb. Life' Star Larry Myers Jr. Dead at 48 Suffered Heart Attack
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Larry Myers Jr. -- who appeared on Season 10 of "My 600-Lb. Life" -- has died in Texas.
Family spokesperson Sonya Hines-Hall tells TMZ ... Larry -- nicknamed "Mr. Buttermilk Biscuits" on the TLC show -- died from a heart attack at his Houston home last week while mourning the death of a friend.
Larry's relatives announced his passing on social media ... and set up a GoFundMe page to pay for his funeral costs. They also remembered Larry as a talented gospel singer who didn't let his struggle with weight dim "his drive to show love and kindness to all he met."
When Larry appeared on the TLC show in an episode that aired in January 2022, he was bedbound and tipped the scale at a whopping 940 pounds.
Larry underwent weight-loss surgery back in the day, but he gained 400 pounds after the procedure ... leading to his appearance on 'My 600-lb Life."
He was 48.
RIP
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Max Verstappen Wins Canadian G.P. With Dead Bird Stuck To Car!!!
It turns out Max Verstappen's dominant win at the Canadian Grand Prix was even more impressive than it looked ... 'cause the Formula One superstar completed the race with a dead bird stuck to his car!!
The Red Bull driver ran over the poor thing during Lap 11 of Sunday's event in Montreal ... which he hilariously detailed to his team on the radio.
Verstappen hit a bird 👀 pic.twitter.com/ZajmpkEv4F
— f1mediafan (@f1mediafan) June 19, 2023 @f1mediafan
But the animal apparently wanted one last joyride before going to bird heaven ... 'cause it got trapped in the right brake duct of Verstappen's car, where it remained until the checkered flag was waved.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner praised the champ's ability to handle the unique situation ... saying it was "a very, very controlled race by him."
It's not the first time the 25-year-old has had some run-ins with animals mid-race -- he also hit a squirrel at the Italian GP in 2021.
Sunday's win over Fernando Alonso (second) and Lewis Hamilton (third) marked Verstappen's sixth first-place finish in eight races so far in 2023 ... which has him sitting comfortably at the top of the Driver Standings over teammate Checo Perez.
Hopefully this is a teachable moment for any animals thinking about getting a closer look at the races moving forward.
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Trippie Redd Joins 💎 Song Club with XXXTentacion ... On His Birthday!!!
Trippie Redd and the late XXXTentacion's 2017 collab "F**k Love" recently hit a billion streams and now has a Diamond certification to add to its legacy.
Fuck love certified diamond rip @xxxtentacion love u baby boy I will never ever forget u or this day we had a great experience together and no one will ever be able to take that away from us long live the greatest of all time and I'm here for u holding this sh!t down as we speak… pic.twitter.com/SacER8DHPh
— Trippie Redd (@trippieredd) June 19, 2023 @trippieredd
The news rang out on Father's Day, which also happened to be Trippie's 24th birthday -- so, he was excited to share the Diamond announcement with his fans ... noting the proclamation is dated with his born-on date.
He celebrated amongst friends and his girlfriend Skye Morales, who made sure he had his cake and could eat it too ... because she got him 2 of 'em!!!
"F**k Love" was released on XXX's debut album and is the only song to have a guest feature ... and he clearly picked the perfect one for a monster hit!!!
Trippie proclaimed XXX to be the 🐐 and swore he was holding down the fort in his absence.
Internet Money producers Nick Mira and Taz Taylor also shared their excitement for the new plaque coming their way.
Even Soulja Boy hasn't gone Diamond on his birthday. Congrats to Trippie!!!
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'DAYS OF OUR LIVES' Actor Cody Longo Died of Chronic Drinking ... Cause of Death Determined
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Former "Days of Our Lives" star Cody Longo died from years of hard drinking ... according to the medical examiner.
Cody's autopsy report, obtained by TMZ, says the late actor's cause of death was "chronic ethanol abuse" ... and the report also notes the manner of death was natural.
What's more, the autopsy says Cody's body was decomposing when he was found dead ... and the death scene was littered with alcohol bottles.
TMZ broke the story ... in February, 34-year-old Cody was found dead in a bed at a residence in Austin, Texas.
Sadly, the autopsy results will not come as a shock to those who knew Cody -- his family previously told us he had struggled with alcohol abuse for years and went to rehab in the summer of 2022.
They already believed he had relapsed and that alcoholism ultimately killed him.
As we reported, Cody was busted for a DUI in L.A. back in 2013, and ultimately copped a plea deal requiring him to attend alcohol education classes.
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Quavo & Offset Settle Differences to Celebrate Takeoff's Birthday
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Quavo and Offset have managed to push past whatever wedge came between them following Takeoff's death to celebrate their fallen comrade's birthday, which would have been his 29th.
On Sunday, the 2 remaining Migos were both chatting it up in Atlanta while wearing Takeoff memorial shirts.
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The 2 rap stars nearly came to blows -- only to be separated by Cardi B -- back in February, but time has apparently healed their wounds.
Both men also dropped solo tributes to Takeoff on their IGs.
Takeoff was killed last November ... and his mother is currently seeking justice in the form of a lawsuit aimed at the venue where the shooting took place.
The alleged killer, Patrick Xavier Clark, was indicted last month and will stand trial for murder.
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Houston Rapper Big Pokey Dead at 45 ... After Collapsing Onstage
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Milton Powell -- aka, Big Pokey, a longtime Houston rapper -- died this weekend after a scary fall onstage that came out of nowhere ... and which ultimately took his life.
The Texas-based MC collapsed at a bar in neighboring Beaumont late Saturday night. Video is circulating showing Pokey standing on what appears to be a two-story stage, where he seems to be performing ... as he has a mic in his hand, and he's interacting with a DJ.
Suddenly, BP lets out a big breath into the microphone ... and he starts to tip backwards, completely losing his footing/going unconscious and falling hard onto the stage. It's jarring.
At first, everyone seems to think it might not, perhaps, be that serious ... as you can hear some snickers in the crowd. However, it quickly becomes clear something is wrong -- and everyone around starts to attend to him in a panic ... seeing that he isn't waking back up.
A woman -- who says she's a nurse -- rushes to his side and tries to administer aid. Everyone else is fanning air and trying to help regain consciousness ... to no avail. Reports say EMS showed up a little after midnight and that he was transported to a hopsital.
Once there, he eventually died ... although it's unclear what the cause of death may be.
His rep confirmed Pokey's passing with a statement, saying ... "It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of our beloved Milton ‘Big Pokey’ Powell."
They add, "Big Pokey passed away ... He was well loved by his family, his friends, and his loyal fans. In the coming days, we will release information about his celebration of life and how the public can pay their respects. We ask that you respect his family and their privacy during this difficult time. Big Pokey will forever be ‘The Hardest Pit in the Litter!'"
Fellow Houston rapper Bun B shared his condolences online, writing ... "I wasn’t ready for this. One of the most naturally talented artists in the city. Low key, humble mountain of a man who moved with honor and respect. He was easy to love and hard to hate. He’d pull up, do what he had to do and head home. One of the pillars of our city. If heart of gold was a person. Iconic member of the SUC. There will never be another and will be missed dearly. We love and honor you Sensei. Rest in heaven."
Pokey was huge in the local scene, having gotten his start by collaborating with DJ Screw ... and helping launch the chopped-and-screwed style of the South that became wildly popular. He's put out tons of projects over the years ... and was considered a Houston legend.
He was 45. RIP
Beyond Wonderland EDM Fest Closes Down After Mass Shooting Kills 2
Some A-list performers will not play on for the Beyond Wonderland EDM festival's final day as police investigate a mass shooting that killed 2 people and injured several others.
The bullets started flying Saturday night around 8:30 PM at a campground near Gorge Amphitheater, where the festival was being held in Central Washington state. Police say the suspect was firing randomly into the crowd as he fled the area.
Cops were able to track down the suspect and arrest him, and they say he also suffered a gunshot wound. They've yet to release any other info about the suspect.
National data shows we've now reached 307 mass shootings in 2023.
Interestingly, the festival continued Saturday night -- the campground is reportedly a couple of hundred yards away from where the stage was set up -- but concert organizers have canceled the Sunday lineup ... which included Afrojack, Adventure Club, and DJ Marshmello.
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Michael Jackson Neverland Statues Back Up For Sale ... No Longer Package Deal
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Dozens of statues Michael Jackson displayed at his Neverland Ranch are going back up for grabs ... but instead of a package deal this time, the art is up for sale individually.
Noble Art Lovers tells TMZ ... the private collector who owns 28 pieces from the singer's infamous California estate is still trying to sell the art, and is no longer seeking $2.5 million for the collection as a whole.
Instead, the entire collection is being sold separately, with most of the statues going for five figures ... shipping not included.
Michael's bronze statues include several images of children ... one such art piece is called "Kids and Tree Swing," and it's going for $150,000. Ditto for another one depicting kids, called "Follow the Leader."
TMZ broke the story ... Noble Art Lovers put the statues up for sale back in April 2021 as a package deal for $2.5 million ... and we're told some affluent potential buyers showed interest, but no one closed the deal.
Noble Art Lovers, based out of Dubai, hopes the separately priced statues will give more folks a chance to own a piece of Neverland.
There is one exception here ... we're told the Malachite Candelabra which is being sold for $500k and the Gloria Victis statues will only be sold as a pairs ... because MJ acquired them as a set.
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Ms. Jacky Oh!'s Plastic Surgeon My Practice is Safe, 'Highest Quality' ... First Post Since Her Death
Ms. Jacky Oh!'s plastic surgeon Dr. Zachary Okhah is breaking his silence, and while he isn't mentioning her or her death ... he is trying to reassure clients his practice is safe and open for business.
In his text-only post Friday -- his first since Jacky's May 31 death -- Dr. Zach, as he's commonly known, says ... "To all my past, current and prospective patients, PH-1 Miami remains devoted to the highest quality medical care."
He added, "All aesthetic procedures are performed in a hygienically safe environment to universally recognized medical standards."
Dr. Zach reportedly performed a so-called "Mommy makeover" for Jacky in Miami at some point before she was found unresponsive. It's unclear how much time passed between the procedure and her death -- Dr. Zach hasn't publicly addressed her case.
A photo of Dr. Zach with Jacky had been posted on his IG on May 30, referring to her impending procedure, but it was quickly removed after she died.
Comedian and actor DC Young Fly, with whom she had 3 children, paid tribute to her in an Instagram post earlier this month, calling her the "GREATEST MOTHER I KNOW."
As we reported, DC Young Fly honored her with an elaborate and beautiful funeral service in Atlanta.
And while there's been no official linkage between Jacky's makeover and her death, Dr. Zach is doing his best to ease any fears amongst his clientele.
As he said in his post, "Our mission is to help our patients achieve the best possible results in the safest and most medically appropriate way possible."
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PETA vs. Jonathan Wright Org Wants Stylist Banned from Owning Monkeys After His 2nd One Dies
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Celebrity stylist Jonathan Wright recently took to IG to mourn the death of his pet monkey Deor ... an animal PETA says he had no business owning in the first place.
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As a result, PETA has sent a letter to Dallas authorities requesting an investigation into Deor's death. The org also wants Wright banned from buying another exotic animal.
PETA thinks Wright might have violated a city ordinance that prevents the ownership of prohibited animals, like the 2 macaque monkeys Wright owned ... in addition to a Texas Penal Code designed to enforce the proper care of domesticated animals in one's custody.
Deor is the second monkey since 2021 to pass away in Wright's care -- the other was named Freeenn.
It's unclear why either animal died, but PETA Foundation primatologist Debbie Metzler tells TMZ that monkeys that are snatched at too young an age from their mothers are at high risk for zoonotic diseases.
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Metzler says Herpes B, which is deadly to humans, is commonplace in macaque monkeys. Medical risks aside, she says humans are generally ill equipped to give monkeys the highly social environment they need to thrive.
We reached out to Wright, who's currently starring in Zeus Network's "Bad Boys" reality series, but still haven't gotten a response.
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RAY LEWIS III DIED FROM ACCIDENTAL OVERDOSE ... According to Cops
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Former college football player Ray Lewis III -- the son of Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis -- died from an overdose ... this according to police.
TMZ Sports obtained the overdose report from police in Florida ... and it says Lewis apparently died from an accidental overdose.
Police say they responded to a call for a medical emergency and found an unresponsive Lewis, who was getting CPR from a friend while another friend was screaming for Narcan (a drug used during overdoses).
Cops say Lewis was lying naked in a room, between a bed and a wall and he was not breathing. Police say they administered Narcan in his right nostril, but there was no response.
The report also says cops searched the room and found a blue pill near Lewis' body, which they unofficially identified as Alprazolam (the drug in brands like Xanax). Police also say there was a used needle at the scene, plus a small plastic bag found inside of an empty beer can.
As we reported ... Lewis was found dead earlier this week ... and the police report says the call came in at 5:29 PM on Wednesday.
While police believe the death was an accidental overdose ... they note the medical examiner will make the final determination on a cause of death.
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Grand Canyon Man Falls to His Death from Skywalk
Grand Canyon emergency rescue teams were put to work after one man went over the edge at the popular Skywalk ... falling to his death.
The incident happened last Monday at the attraction, officers from the Mohave Co. Sheriff's Search and Rescue team responded around 9 AM with ropes specialists and a helicopter.
Unfortunately, the team determined the man, a 33-year-old, was deceased from the fall.
While it's unclear exactly how he went over, officials just say he "went over the edge," a Facebook release from the search and rescue team also featured a message about suicide prevention and urged those struggling to call the National Suicide Prevention Line.
The identity of the man who fell has still not been released.
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Priscilla Presley Everything's Good With My Family ... Posts Pic With Riley & Twins
Priscilla Presley is signaling a family truce ... seemingly showing they all made nice after the end of a bitter dispute over her late daughter Lisa Marie Presley's trust.
Priscilla just posted a photo with her granddaughters ... Riley Keough and twins Harper and Finley. It's unclear when the photo was snapped, though Priscilla says it's from the twins' middle school graduation ... and it's currently grad season.
It's a pretty strong signal from Priscilla ... remember, she was recently battling with Riley over control of Lisa's trust after Elvis Presley's only child died suddenly.
As we reported, Priscilla and Riley ultimately settled their beef ... Riley is the sole trustee and Priscilla walked away with a seven-figure payday, though her request to be buried next to Elvis at Graceland was denied.
Riley filed legal docs this week asking the court to approve the settlement ... which also calls for Lisa's ex-husband Michael Lockwood to be the guardian ad litem regarding these estate matters for Harper and Finley.
The dust appears to be settling ... and the icy relationship between Priscilla and Lisa's kids seems to have thawed.
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Carl Eiswerth TikTok Star Dead at 35
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Carl Eiswerth -- who amassed hundreds of thousands of followers on TikTok -- died in a car accident ... TMZ has learned.
Carl's mom, Janet, tells us the social media star was killed Tuesday in Pennsylvania. Janet says Carl was driving with a close friend -- he was in the passenger's seat -- when they were struck by another vehicle in the middle of an intersection.
Carl grew his TikTok following to nearly 500,000 before his death. We're told his family is planning two memorial services, and may live stream the events so his fans can participate.
As for what will happen with his TikTok account, that's still up in the air ... Janet says they don't yet know if his family will take it over, or if there's any material to still be posted.
Carl's page was full of videos, mostly of himself, where he'd combine humor and wit to show his fans a day in the life as he navigated the world.
Carl was only 35.
RIP