RIP

The teenager who's been accused of stabbing and killing multiple little girls who came together to dance to Taylor Swift music smiled at the media while in court this week.

17-year-old Axel Rudakubana -- who's being tried as an adult -- showed up before a judge Thursday in the U.K. and was arraigned on murder and attempted murder charges ... getting rung up for the deaths of 3 girls, and the brutal stabbing of several others.

Per local media ... Rudakubana walked into the building and looked out to reporters who were on hand -- and he apparently flashed a grin before trying to bury/hide his head.

Richard Simmons’ family is fuming over Pauly Shore trying to cast doubt on the authenticity of the late fitness guru's most recent posts ... and they're coming out swinging.

RS' team dropped a statement from his brother Lenny on X Wednesday -- clearing things up, writing ... "Dicky absolutely wrote his own posts. He worked on them a week in advance, going over and over them to get the right message."

Lenny added Richard would usually show his posts to him and his wife Cathy before they went live. So they’re saying it was definitely Richard behind those messages ... despite Pauly recently saying he wasn't so sure.

Former "Bachelor" contestant Hailey Merkt has lost her battle with cancer.

Hailey’s death was announced Tuesday on her Instagram page following her battle with leukemia -- a cancerous disease of the body’s blood forming tissues -- which she publicly revealed she had in 2023.

In the IG post, her loved ones first talked about how they were broken hearted to see her leave them after a courageous fight.

Rapper Chino XL's friends and family sadly announced Monday the veteran MC died Sunday ... shattering several generations of the hip hop community.

According to his family, Chino passed away at his home, leaving behind his mother, 4 children, a stepson, 4 grandchildren and his longtime partner Stephanie.

His daughters released a group statement, saying ... "Our father had many titles -- King of Punchlines, Puerto Rican Superhero -- but the most important one was Girl Dad. And what he gave us most in that role was his strength, straightforwardness, and ability to be super realistic. The main thing we are feeling now is that our Dad is at peace, and so we are at peace.”

Two heroic teachers are fighting for their lives after being stabbed while trying to save kids at a Taylor Swift-themed party over in the UK.

Leanne Lucas sprang into action, getting kids to safety through a fire escape ... while her colleague Heidi Barlow locked others in a bathroom stall to protect them from the knife-wielding maniac who went on a rampage at the yoga and dance event in Southport Monday.

Both women are now critical condition -- with Leanne's aunt, Pauline Bennett, saying she's waiting to undergo surgery. She added all Leanne wanted to do was protect the kids, but given her small frame ... she didn't stand a chance against the knifeman.

New footage shows a UK man pacing in front of a house 20 minutes before Monday's horrific knife attack at a Taylor Swift themed dance class -- a house that was raided by cops after the massacre.

Check out the video obtained by ITV -- a young man in a green hoodie is seen pacing back and forth in the front of a home.

The attack left 3 children dead, 5 other kids in critical condition. Two adults are also in critical condition.

"Survivor: Africa" star Kim Johnson has died ... this according to her family.

The 'Survivor' alum's daughter, Kerry Johnson Tichi confirmed the sad news on Monday, as she shared with People that her mother had passed away. Kerry remembered the reality TV competitor as "the coolest mom and grandmother in the word," but did not share a cause of death.

Kerry added ... "Our mom leaves a legacy of strength, resilience, kindness and generosity. She wore her rose colorized glasses right up until the end ... We will miss her forever."

Actress Erica Ash -- famous from one of the 'Scary Movie' films and "Survivor's Remorse" -- has died ... this according to her family.

Her mother, Diann Ash, tells TMZ ... "We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved daughter, sister, and friend Erica Chantal Ash (1977-2024). After a long and courageous battle with cancer, she transitioned peacefully surrounded by her loved ones."

She adds, "Erica was an amazing woman and talented entertainer who touched countless lives with her sharp wit, humor, and genuine zest for life. Her memory will live eternally in our hearts. In honor of Erica’ memory, the family asks that any donations be made to the Susan G. Komen Cancer Foundation or the Breast Cancer Foundation of your choice. We are grateful for the kind expressions of love and support during this difficult time."

Tampa police feel like they're on the right track to solving rapper Julio Foolio's murder ... 3 people were arrested in connection with the deadly shooting and cops say they're closing in on 2 more!!!

On Monday, Tampa PD held a press conference announcing the arrests of and first-degree murder charges for Isaiah Chance, Alicia Andrews and Sean Gathright. The suspects were all nabbed in Jacksonville.

Cops also released new footage of the June 23 deadly shooting ... and it shows multiple masked gunmen zipping around the Tampa Holiday Inn parking lot, taking position in bushes and firing dozens of rounds into the vehicle carrying Julio.

1:47 PM PT -- Prince William and Kate Middleton just weighed in on the tragedy -- writing in part, "As parents, we cannot begin to imagine what the families, friends and loved ones of those killed and injured in Southport today are going through."

They went on to extend their condolences, while thanking first-responders who arrived on the scene.

12:28 PM PT -- Officials have now confirmed even more tragic news from this horrific incident -- namely, the fact that a second child has now died.

In addition to this ... cops have identified the alleged perpetrator as a 17-year-old male. His name has yet to be released -- and it's unclear if the authorities plan to do that.

A Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop in the UK turned into something straight out of a horror movie ... when a mass stabbing left a young girl dead and 7 others injured.

Pauly Shore is still gung ho on making a Richard Simmons biopic happen ... even though the beloved fitness guru is now dead.

The actor-comedian was at LAX Monday when a photog asked him the latest on Pauly's pet project ... which he's been trying to film for a while now.

Pauly says the biopic is still moving forward despite Richard's recent death ... though there is a holdup in terms of financing.

Ex-Major League Baseball pitcher Reyes Moronta has died at just 31 years old ... with local reports stating he was killed in an ATV accident in the Dominican Republic.

The Mexican Baseball League and the Bravos de Leon -- Moronta's club up until his release on July 25 -- confirmed the tragic news.

Multiple reports claim Moronta suffered fatal injuries in a traffic accident while driving a 4-wheeler at his father's house in Villa Gonzalez.

Sinéad O’Connor’s cause of death has been revealed one year after her tragic death ... with her death certificate listing multiple respiratory issues, according to reports.

The Irish Independent reports O'Connor passed away from COPD -- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease -- exacerbated by bronchial asthma. She'd also been suffering from a respiratory tract infection, a contributory factor.

While British authorities announced back in January O'Connor passed from natural causes -- no foul play suspected -- we didn't know the exact cause until this week.

Three members of the hit gospel family band The Nelons have died in a plane crash ... according to a statement by the fourth member of the band.

Autumn Nelon Streetman posted a joint statement with her management team Saturday morning telling fans her mother Kelly, stepfather Jason and sister Amber -- the other three current Nelons members -- died in a plane crash on their way to Alaska Friday.

Also killed in the crash according to the post ... Amber's husband Nathan Kistler, their assistant Melodi Hodges the pilot, Larry Haynie, and his wife Melissa.

Donald Trump is going back to the scene of the crime -- returning to the Pennsylvania town where he was nearly assassinated for another campaign rally.

The former president just announced plans for an event in Butler, PA, where he says he's going to honor the rallygoer who died during the July 13 shooting ... firefighter Corey Comperatore.

Trump says he will also be honoring the "brave patriots" who were injured by gunfire and survived.

An arrest has been made in the fatal stabbing of a woman in San Dimas, CA, which saw another woman strolling down a residential street with a Samurai sword and gashes on her leg.

Weichien Huang was booked on suspicion of murdering her wife Chen Chen Fei on July 18 ... according to the L.A. County Sheriff's Dept, which says Huang attacked Fei with a Samurai sword during a domestic dispute at their San Dimas-area home.

Huang also allegedly attacked Fei’s mom ... who managed to snatch the sword away from Huang and flee into the street to get help.