RIP

Dave Castro -- the creator and director of the CrossFit Games -- is apologizing to Luka Đukić and his family following the death of his brother, Lazar ... admitting he made a mistake with comments he made after the tragedy.

Castro released the statement Thursday night on his Instagram page ... responding to Luka's lengthy statement about how things played out in the hours after Lazar drowned during an event -- specifically how Castro claimed the Games would continue with the Đukić family's blessing.

"I should never have said that the decision to continue the CrossFit Games in August was 'blessed' by their family," Castro said. "At the time, the decision was made to continue the Games and allow our athletes to compete -- and we respected those athletes who decided to withdraw."

Big Sean is confident he released the best rap album of 2024 ... but news of Rich Homie Quan's death is weighing heavy on his heart, like so many others in the hip hop community.

The Detroit-bred MC caught up with TMZ Hip Hop at his "Better Me Than You" album pop-up event in Hollywood Thursday, where he told us he'll be cherishing the various sessions he and Quan shared over the years inside L.A.'s famed Treehouse Studios.

We confirmed Rich Homie's death, which happened suddenly Thursday morning. Sean remembers the Atlanta rapper as a good-hearted, unique talent.

Rich Homie Quan fans lucky enough to be at his final performance can remember the late rapper full of energy he displayed just a few days before he passed away.

Check out this video obtained by TMZ ... the platinum-selling rapper was onstage for a car and bike show Sunday night in El Dorado, Arkansas ... belting out his hits while fans crowded around, snapping up close pics.

At one point, the "Type Of Way" rapper had a drink in his hand as he kept jamming out into the night ... he, and his fans, totally unaware it would be his final time doing what he did best.

9:09 AM PT -- Sergio Mendes' family issued a statement ... telling TMZ his wife of 54 years, Gracinha Leporace Mendes, and their children were by his side when he died peacefully.

They shared Mendes last performed in November 2023 and had been struggling with long-term COVID. The family is processing the loss and will share more details about the funeral and memorial services later.

Brazilian musician Sergio Mendes has died, TMZ has learned. He died in Los Angeles.

Mendes was a world-famous Brazilian musician who collaborated with jazz greats like Herb Alpert and Cannonball Adderley over his nearly 60-year career.

He won 1 Grammy Award, 2 Latin Grammys, and was nominated for an Oscar in 2012 for the song "Real in Rio" featured in the animated movie "Rio."

Popular YouTuber Paul Harrell shared a grim message to all of his fans ... He's dead!

Harrell's manager, Brad Nelson, posted a prerecorded YT video from December 2023, showing Harrell in a wooded area explaining why he's no longer among the living.

As he stared into the camera, Harrell said his pancreatic cancer had spread throughout his body, getting into his bones.

Rich Homie Quan was foaming at the mouth, wasn't breathing and had no heartbeat when his girlfriend called 911 ... TMZ has learned.

We obtained the emergency call related to the Atlanta rapper's death and his girlfriend Amber Williams is frantic as she talks to the dispatcher.

Rich Homie Quan's girlfriend says he was on the couch in the morning when she took her son to school, so she put a blanket over him ... but she says when she got home she noticed he hadn't moved.

2:33 PM PT -- TMZ obtained the 911 call from Rich Homie Quan's death, and his girlfriend tells the dispatcher the rapper is not breathing and does not have a heartbeat.

She also revealed he was unresponsive on a couch in their home when she called 911 ... and started foaming at the mouth when she tried to move him.

Rich Homie Quan, a platinum-selling rapper from Atlanta, is dead ... TMZ Hip Hop has confirmed.

RHQ died Thursday in his Atlanta home ... according to his family and a rep for the Fulton County morgue.

Rich Homie Quan's family tells TMZ Hip Hop ... they are shattered and heartbroken by his sudden death. No cause of death has been reported and they're desperately searching for answers.

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.