RIP

Fatman Scoop's dedication to hip hop culture was felt in full on his last day on Earth ... the veteran hype man gave his last dying breath while performing on August 30, and had just released a clubby anthem with NYC rapper Dyce Payso hours earlier!!!

It's a bittersweet moment for the budding MC ... and TMZ Hip Hop caught up with Dyce on Thursday, when he saluted Scoop as a standup guy who went the extra mile to push their "Let It Go" collab to the forefront!!!

He plays us a recording of Scoop pushing for Funkmaster Flex to bomb the record on Hot 97 ... featured artists are paid whether the song does well or not, but Scoop was there to pass along the game.

Rebecca Cheptegei -- the Olympic distance runner who sustained burns on roughly 75 percent of her body after being attacked by her boyfriend -- has died at the age of 33.

The Uganda Athletics Federation confirmed the devastating news via X on Thursday ... saying, "We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence."

According to local authorities, Cheptegei -- who placed 44th in the women's marathon at the Paris Olympics -- got into an argument with her partner, Dickson Ndiema, prior to the burning on Sunday.

Sean Higgins -- the man accused of killing Johnny Gaudreau and his little brother in a drunk driving crash last week -- just faced a judge again ... and his appearance this time around looked a bit different.

The 43-year-old, who popped up in a New Jersey courtroom on Thursday morning virtually, notably was no longer in an anti-suicide smock ... instead, he was seen in a simple orange jumpsuit. He also had a different facial hair style ... sporting a thick goatee.

The judge had been expected to make a ruling on Higgins' pretrial conditions at the hearing ... but the proceedings were postponed after just a few seconds.

An Indonesian grandmother has met a tragic end after being crushed to death by a 16-foot python that tried to swallow her whole.

According to reports, the woman, 57-year-old Hapsah, was attacked by the serpent last week while doing routine work on a plantation, where she tapped rubber trees, in Muaro Jambi, a province of Sumatra.

Hapsah reportedly tried to fight off the snake as it wrapped itself around her body ... but the python overpowered her, squeezing her unconscious from lack of oxygen.

The woman's husband, M Safri, who also worked on the plantation, realized something was wrong when she didn't come home in the afternoon. He began searching for his wife ... only to find the snake still wrapped around Hapsah's neck.

Per Sungai Gelam Police Chief Iptu Usaha Sitepu ... to prevent the snake from consuming his wife, M Safri pulled on the snake's tail and hit it until it eventually loosened its grip.

The incident left the whole community shaken ... as a mob of enraged locals soon formed -- who hunted down the python and beat it to death.

Village head Amdi added ... "It was massive. It was taken to the village to be shown to the community after it was killed."

Hapsah's body has since been returned home and is being prepared for a funeral.

This isn't the first fatal python attack in Indonesia this summer. Days before Hapsah's passing, another elderly woman from Palopo City was attacked and killed by a serpent in the Sumarambu mountains.

1:48 PM PT -- The shooting suspect was identified as Colt Gray, a 14-year-old male student at the school, Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey said in an afternoon press conference.

Two teachers and two students were killed, and nine others were injured, Hosey said.

Sheriff's deputies responded to reports of an active shooter at 10:20 a.m. Wednesday. Law enforcement personnel arrived at the school within minutes -- and the suspect surrendered immediately and was taken into custody.

Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith said the 14-year-old gave up, got on the ground, and a deputy took him into custody. Smith declined to identify the type of gun allegedly used by Gray. Authorities have been in contact with the suspect's family. Gray is cooperating with investigators, Smith said.

A school resource office engaged with the suspect, Smith said, and "the shooter quickly realized that if he did not give up, that it would end with an OIS" -- an officer-involved shooting.

Gray will be charged with murder and tried as an adult, Hosey announced.

12:21 PM PT -- Vice President Kamala Harris just spoke about the shooting during a public appearance in New Hampshire ... lamenting the tragedy and calling it totally outrageous that parents need to worry about their children coming home alive.

12:05 PM PT -- CNN is now reporting Apalachee High School officials received a phone threat this morning before the shooting. The caller warned there would be a shooting at five different schools, including Apalachee.

A shooting on a high school campus in Winder, Georgia left multiple people dead and injured, before a suspect was taken into custody Wednesday -- according to the county sheriff.

In a news conference, the sheriff said 2 people were killed, though local reports indicate as many as 4 were killed. Those numbers are expected to be updated throughout the day -- another press conference was scheduled for later in the afternoon, according to the sheriff.

Barrow County Sheriff's deputies responded to a report of an active shooter at the school at about 9:30 AM, according to Sheriff Jud Smith.

Johnny Gaudreau's wife is commemorating their third wedding anniversary with a truly heartbreaking message ... just days after the NHL star and his brother tragically passed away.

"I never post this much but John deserves it," Meredith said on Instagram on Wednesday. "3 years ago today I became yours forever. One of the best days of my life, including the night we got engaged and the days we brought our babies into the world."

Meredith -- who shared pictures of their ceremony and honeymoon with the emotional note -- explained she knew from the moment she met the Columbus Blue Jackets star she would end up being his wife ... and their relationship only got better as time went on.

A University of Wisconsin-Whitewater wrestler has been arrested for murder ... following the shooting death of star gymnast Kara Welsh, law enforcement tells TMZ Sports.

The Whitewater Police released a statement days after Welsh, 21 years old, was found dead at her off-campus apartment ... tragically struck down by multiple gunshots on August 30.

A 23-year-old male, Chad Richards, was present at the apartment when police arrived following the fatal shooting ... and after a thorough investigation, WPD determined the shooting was a result of an altercation between the two.

The Baltimore Ravens will pay tribute to their former wide receiver Jacoby Jones and offensive line coach Joe D'Alessandris this season ... revealing a new decal to honor the late members of the organization.

The team made the announcement Tuesday ... just two days before they open their season against the defending Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs.

The sticker will be placed on the backs of every player's helmet ... and will feature both "Joe D." on the top and "Jacoby 12" on the bottom.

Bodybuilder Matheus Pavlak -- who got involved in the sport to overcome obesity and miraculously transformed his body -- has been found dead at his home in Brazil.

He was only 19.

Pavlak died Sunday after suffering an apparent heart attack, according to reports.

Katie Holmes shared a touching tribute to her late, "Dawson's Creek" costar Obi Ndefo.

The "Dawson's Creek" actress took to Instagram to share some kind words about her time acting alongside Obi, writing ... "He was wonderful to work with and such a kind man. I send prayers and grace to his family. Rest in Peace."

As we previously reported ... Obi died at the age of 51, his sister Nkem Ndefo announced on Facebook Saturday.

Adam Schiff's furious about the six Israeli hostages killed by Hamas ... describing the killers in some NSFW language.

The California congressman sat down for an interview on CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday morning ... and, he talked at length about the six people -- including one American -- who were killed by Hamas in the last couple days.

Representative Schiff -- who's running for a Senate seat -- says he felt sick when he heard the news of the six hostages killed ... saying his heart goes out to the families.

Obi Ndefo, an actor best known for playing Bodie Wells on "Dawson's Creek" has died ... according to a Facebook post from his sister.

Nkem Ndefo shared the tragic news Saturday ... saying she was heartbroken at the death of her younger brother -- and hoped he'd finally found peace. She did not share a cause of death.

Obi got his start in Hollywood back in the mid-'90s appearing in bit roles on shows like "Star Trek: Voyager," "3rd Rock From the Sun" and "Angel" ... before getting his big break on "Dawson's Creek."

Matthew Gaudreau's death is inspiring genoristy in others ... with many people donating thousands to his widow and soon-to-be born child after his tragic death Thursday.

A GoFundMe has been started in honor of the brother to NHL standout Johnny Gaudreau ... with all the proceeds going to his wife Madeline -- and, it's just crossed over the $375k mark.

The frundraiser's description explains the money will go toward alleviating the financial burden brought on by Matthew's sudden passing ... though obviously they admit no amount of money will alleviate the family's grief.

Isaac Freeman III, aka Fatman Scoop, has died after the iconic musician collapsed onstage Friday night.

Scoop's tour manager broke the sad news when he said of the Grammy-winner, "I am honestly lost for words… You took me all over the world and had me performing alongside you on some of the biggest and greatest stages on this planet, the things you taught me have truely made me the man I am today. Thank you so much, I love you x."

Reminisce Festival, where Fatman Scoop was set to perform Sept. 7 also posted to Instagram saying, "It is with the deepest sorrow that we at Reminisce have received the devastating news of the tragic passing of the legendary Isaac Freeman III, known to us all as Fatman Scoop. This loss has left us all heartbroken."

Not long after, his family also released a statement, which said in part ... "He was the laughter in ours lives, a constant source of support, unwavering strength and courage."

The widow of Johnny Gaudreau has shared her first messages since he was tragically killed by a suspected DUI driver on Thursday ... and it is heartbreaking.

As TMZ previously reported ... the NHL star and his little brother, Matthew, were hit and killed while riding their bikes. The suspect in the case has since been charged with their deaths.

Meredith Gaudreau on Saturday shared two devastating posts on social media about her husband’s death ... and explained what an amazing husband and father he was.

Bill Maher is angry over Matthew Perry's death ... the actor who was the most visible drug addict in the world, who scored the drugs that killed him from his own doctors.

The "Real Time" host went off on doctors who fueled the fatal addictions of Perry, Michael Jackson, Prince, Tom Petty, Elvis, and on and on.

At the root of the problem -- $$$. Doctors make a fortune, and so do pharmaceutical companies, that pushed 145 BILLION Oxy and hydrocodone pills in the U.S. between 2006 and 2019, resulting in 210,000 fatal OD's.