Richard Simmons Brother Says Cause of Death Related to Falls, Heart Disease

Fitness guru Richard Simmons' falls while at home contributed to his death ... something the coroner reportedly shared with Richard's brother.

Lenny Simmons says he got a call from the L.A. County Medical Examiner's Office, and they told him, "Richard's death was accidental due to complications from falls and heart disease as a contributing factor" ... according to Simmons family spokesperson Tom Estey.

TMZ confirmed the info with Estey -- lining up with the story we broke last month about Richard's final days. As we reported, he fell in his bathroom the evening of his 76th birthday, and when his housekeeper came to help him up .. he refused medical care.

Chris Pratt's Stunt Double Tony McFarr's Cause of Death Revealed

Tony McFarr -- a stuntman who served as a double for big Hollywood stars like Chris Pratt -- died from a heart issue likely brought on by acute alcohol poisoning from prolonged heavy drinking.

In new documents, obtained by TMZ, the Orange County Medical Examiner in Florida officially declared Tony's death the result of an irregular heartbeat due to an issue with his heart valves.

The ME says contributing factors in Tony's death include alcohol poisoning and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ... also known as COPD, a common lung disease that restricts airflow and causes breathing problems.

Porn Star Sophia Leone Cause of Death Revealed

Adult-film actress Sophia Leone died from a fatal overdose ... TMZ has learned.

Police in Albuquerque, NM tell us the late porn star's official cause and manner of death is an accidental OD ... though it's unclear what specific substances were involved.

As we first reported ... cops in New Mexico considered Sophia's death "suspicious" and "unique" after she was found dead March 1 in her home.

Brooke Mueller RARELY SEEN TWIN SONS BY HER SIDE ... Amid Perry Investigation

Brooke Mueller had the support of her rarely-seen-in-public twins, Bob and Max ... who helped ring in her birthday just days after her connection to Matthew Perry's ketamine investigation surfaced.

Charlie Sheen's ex-wife and their 15-year-old sons came together for a pic to celebrate her 47th birthday bash at her mother Moira Fiore and stepfather Jon Fiore's Beverly Hills home Saturday.

Brooke was in full-on doting mama mode ... talking about how grateful she was for her kids, according to the Daily Mail.

'GH' Actor Johnny Wactor 2 Men Charged With Murder

Two of the 4 men arrested in the slaying of "General Hospital" star Johnny Wactor have been slapped with murder charges.

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced the charges Monday ... while 4 men have been charged with multiple felonies in connection with Wactor's death, only 2 were hit with murder counts.

081924_johnny_wactor_presser_kal
NAMING THE SUSPECTS

Prosecutors say 18-year-olds Robert Barceleau and Sergio Estrada are both charged with Wactor's murder.

Connecticut Flood 2 Dead, Over 100 Rescued ... Disaster Funds Requested

081924_connecticut_flooding_kal
FLOODS AND FIREFIGHTERS
AP

Severe flooding in Connecticut turned peaceful country roads into a disaster scene when at least a foot of water pounded down Sunday night.

The rainfall was much more than your everyday summer storm, as residents in Connecticut and parts of New York were trapped in cars, restaurants and homes, forcing multiple rescue attempts by first-responders.

Watch the vid ... local firefighters in Oxford, Connecticut executed a daring rescue, pulling patrons trapped inside a restaurant to safety after gushing water flooded the building.

Motorbike Racer Louis O'Regan Dead at 43 ... After Crash At Manx Grand Prix

Motorbiker Louis O'Regan has tragically passed away after he crashed while trying to qualify for a famed race in the Isle of Man.

Manx Grand Prix organizers said in a statement on Monday morning that O'Regan was riding his MV Agusta F3 on Sunday in the race's qualifying round when he wrecked.

Further details surrounding the incident were not made immediately available.

Taylor Swift Meets With 2 Southport Stabbing Victims at 'Eras' Tour

Taylor Swift seemingly went out of her way to give 2 young victims of the Southport stabbing an "Enchanted" evening ... taking time away from her "Eras" tour to meet with them.

The pop star and her mother, Andrea Swift, appeared to have a meet and greet with the young victims while in London for her 5 sold-out nights at Wembley Stadium.

Both Taylor and her mother scooped the young girls up in hugs, and posed for several photos backstage ... where one fan notably had a bandage on her arm with the singer's lyric, "You drew stars around my scars," written on top.

Talk Show Legend Phil Donahue Dead at 88

Phil Donahue, the longtime host of "The Phil Donahue Show," has died ... his family confirmed.

The media personality's death was announced on the "Today" show early Monday morning, where a statement was shared from Donahue's loved ones -- including wife of over 40 years, Marlo Thomas -- who were by his side when he passed away Sunday evening following a long illness. No further details were shared into his cause of death.

081924_phil_donahue_kal
Sad News
NBC

Donahue, who hosted his eponymous talk show for 29 years, was known as a trailblazing TV journalist ... as he pioneered the daytime TV format we now know.

Johnny Wactor COWORKER SAYS FIGHT'S NOT OVER UNTIL CONVICTIONS!

Johnny Wactor’s coworker -- who was with him the night he was murdered -- is overcome with emotion about his alleged killers getting arrested, but says the actor's family won’t find peace until the suspects receive the maximum punishment.

081624-anita-joy-reaction-arrest-kal
BITTERSWEET JUSTICE
TMZ.com

Anita Joy told TMZ she felt a mix of joy and relief knowing 3 people have been arrested and booked on murder charges -- but adds, the real justice will be seeing these guys get serious convictions.

Johnny's friend says she’s feeling optimistic about that happening, because all the suspects have been held on high bail amounts. She was initially worried the suspects would not be tried as adults -- based on what she saw the night of the murder, she thought they were possibly underage.

John Aprea 'Godfather II' Star Dead at 83

John Aprea, one of the stars of "The Godfather Part II" and "Full House," is dead of natural causes ... TMZ has learned.

His manager Will Levine tells us ... the actor passed away on August 7, at his home in Los Angeles, with family members by his side.

John called his role as young Salvatore Tessio his greatest career achievement. He had originally auditioned to be Michael Corleone in the OG 'Godfather,' which of course went to Al Pacino. But, Francis Ford Coppola called back Aprea for the 1974 sequel.

Matthew Perry Physicians Charged In His Death Free To Prescribe Medication

The two physicians charged in connection with Matthew Perry's death not only still have their medical licenses, but they can still -- SHOCKINGLY -- prescribe medication to any of their patients, TMZ has learned.

Last week, Dr. Mark Chavez and Dr. Salvador Plasencia were charged with illegally conspiring to supply ketamine to the late "Friends" star.

TMZ then broke the story ... the California State Medical Board launched an investigation into both doctors, but kept their medical licenses active without disciplining them.

YouTube Star Luke Goodwin Dead at 35 After Rare Cancer Battle

YouTube star and British influencer Luke Goodwin is dead after battling a rare cancer.

Luke died peacefully at home on August 2, with his family by his side ... his wife, Beckey, announced in a YouTube video.

Known for his popular YouTube channel, "I Will Not Be Defeated," Luke was diagnosed in August 2022 with Stage 4 Leiomyosarcoma ... a rare type of cancer the Mayo Clinic says begins in smooth muscle tissue and then spreads into normal body tissue.

Afa Anoa'I WWE Hall of Famer Dead At 81

WWE Hall of Famer Afa Anoa'i, the brother of Sika Anoa'i and uncle to current WWE Superstar Roman Reigns, has died at the age of 81.

Afa's daughter -- Vale Anoa'i -- confirmed the passing on her X account ... saying, "Today, all of our lives are irreparably changed. I love you so much, Dad. More than any words could ever express."

The news comes months after Sika passed away at the age of 79.

FL Neighbor Shooting Ajike Owens Suspect Guilty of Manslaughter

The woman who fatally shot Ajike Owens has just been found guilty of manslaughter.

A Florida jury found Susan Lorincz guilty of the crime just moments ago after a testy trial this week, where prosecutors argued Lorincz unjustifiably killed Ajike, who was unarmed.

susan lorincz JUNE 2023
SUSPECT ARRESTED

You'll recall ... Lorincz fired through her closed front door. During the trial, Lorincz maintained that even though Owens was unarmed, she still feared for her life.

'AGT' Contestant Perry Kurtz Dead at 73 ... Killed in Hit-&-Run

Perry Kurtz -- a comedian who appeared on "America's Got Talent" and "The Late Late Show with James Corden" and had ties to several comedy legends -- has died ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Perry was involved in a fatal hit-and-run in Tarzana, an L.A. neighborhood, after a collision around 11:20 PM Thursday ... when a gray Honda Civic struck and killed him. The Los Angeles Fire Department pronounced him dead at the scene.

Our law enforcement sources tell us cops have arrested a suspect on suspicion of felony hit-and-run causing death.