RIP

Taylor Lorenz -- a controversial journalist formerly of the Washington Post -- shared a photo of the Blue Cross Blue Shield CEO on the same day UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was murdered.

Here's the deal ... Lorenz has posted multiple times to Bluesky and X in the aftermath of a gunman shooting and killing Thompson on a New York City street early Wednesday morning -- starting when Blue Cross Blue Shield announced it wouldn't cover anesthesia for the entirety of some surgeries.

TL shared the story on social media ... along with a picture of Kim A. Keck -- BCBS' CEO since 2021.

A man’s stepping forward with a jaw-dropping claim -- he says he may have figured out the whereabouts of the assassin who shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson ... all thanks to Citi Bike's tracking data.

A data scientist named Riley, who goes by @rtwlz on X, dropped a bombshell post, revealing how he's been scraping Citi Bike data every minute ... and he could see exactly where individual bikes go.

And here's the kicker -- he says the only northbound Citi Bike to leave within 10 minutes of the shooting near the Hilton hotel where Thompson was entering, left at 6:44 AM and headed straight to a location at Madison Ave & 82nd St at 6:52 AM.

The family of late TikToker Jiare Schneider is facing harassment as they mourn the Internet personality ... from fraudsters making threats about Jiare's well-being, despite his recent passing.

The TikToker's sister, Jasnique Woods, tells TMZ ... before and after the confirmation of Jiare's death, the family received a number of threats from swindlers -- who claim they're holding JS hostage, demanding a ransom for his release.

Remember, Jiare was missing for 10 days before he was found dead last week in Georgia after an extensive search. His family posted missing-person flyers in an attempt to get information on his disappearance ... which is how crooks got ahold of Jasnique's phone number.

Liam Payne's good friend, who Buenos Aires authorities are going after for allegedly abandoning the late singer during a bender, says he's not the one at fault here ... instead pointing the finger at the hotel where Liam was staying.

Roger Nores' legal team filed new documents, obtained by TMZ, in Argentina and he basically makes the argument that he's not the one who should be investigated ... claiming the CasaSur Palermo Hotel played a big role in Liam's death.

In the docs, Roger says the hotel did NOT have a 24-hour doctor available ... even though he says they're required to have one under the law.

The tragic news of the passing of Kirk Herbstreit's beloved dog, Ben, made its way to the Oval Office ... with President Joe Biden sending his condolences in an emotional letter to the football announcer and his family following the loss.

"Ben brought so much comfort and unconditional love to millions of Americans across our nation," POTUS wrote in the note. "In your most joyful moments and most grief-stricken days, he was there, sensitive to every unspoken feeling and emotion."

"I know what it is like to lose a beloved pet, and I hope you can find some comfort in cherishing the beautiful memories you shared with Ben. He was a good boy."

NYPD has clear footage of the killer who opened fire on UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan ... but only from behind the suspect.

Cops released the surveillance images captured Wednesday morning outside the Hilton hotel on 6th Ave and 54th Street ... and it shows 50-year-old Thompson strolling into the hotel by himself around 6:45 AM. The shooter walks up behind him, draws a handgun and starts shooting from less than 10 feet away.

It appears the suspect fired his weapon, which was fitted with a silencer, at least 3 times ... before fleeing into an alleyway on the other side of the street. Police say he made his getaway on a bicycle, which was captured on a different surveillance camera, and rode into Central Park ... just a few blocks away.

Heartbreak for Harry Jowsey -- he’s just shared that his dad has died.

The reality TV personality opened up on IG Wednesday morning, sharing a heartfelt post with throwback pics of his father ... writing in the caption, "I love you Dad, I miss you. I’ll catch you on the other side ❤️✨🕊️."

The devastating news clarifies the cryptic Instagram Story he shared the night before, featuring a broken-heart emoji and a white dove atop a black background.

Johnny Gaudreau's family made the return to Calgary for the first time since the tragic deaths of the former Flames forward and his younger brother ... and as part of the emotional comeback, Johnny Hockey's wife got a sweet tribute tattoo.

Meredith Gaudreau unveiled the new ink just before the Flames vs. Blue Jackets tilt at Scotiabank Saddledome, showing she got Johnny's signature permanently etched onto her right wrist.

She told Sportsnet she had the work done just down the street from the stadium ... and revealed it was her first-ever tat. She also noted that covering it up in bracelets Johnny had previously bought her made it extra special.

Liam Payne's friend is not off the hook for allegedly leaving him just an hour before his death -- a judge has cleared the way for prosecutors to continue their investigation against Roger Nores ... TMZ has learned.

As we reported, Nores insists he has not yet been charged with abandonment of a person followed by death -- and his attorney had filed documents claiming any case against him should be handled by local Buenos Aires prosecutors.

However, according to new docs obtained by TMZ, a judge now says Argentina's national prosecutors can move forward with their investigation into Nores' alleged role in Liam's death.

Eminem's mom Debbie Nelson has died following a battle with advanced lung cancer, TMZ has learned.

Sources tell us Debbie passed away due to lung cancer. She died last night in St. Joseph, Missouri. TMZ has confirmed her death with Eminem's rep, Dennis Dennehy.

Debbie's diagnosis was first revealed in September ... and reports at the time said she didn't have long to live.

Mexican boxer Israel Vazquez -- a former three-time world champion in the super bantamweight division -- has passed away at 46 years old after a battle with cancer.

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed the news in a social media post ... stating the fighter is "finally resting in peace" a month after his diagnosis was made public.

"May God give strength and support to his wife Laura, their children, family and friends during these difficult times," Sulaiman said on X.

My Chemical Romance is saying goodbye to Bob Bryar, the band's former drummer who was found dead in his home last week.

The group just broke their silence on Bob's shocking death, posting a tribute on social media, saying ... "It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to Bob Bryar, our former bandmate and an important part of the history of My Chemical Romance."

The band adds ... "We send our deepest condolences to his friends and family at this time. May he rest in peace."

"Selling the OC" star Gio Helou and his wife Tiffany are sharing heartbreaking news ... revealing they’ve suffered a pregnancy loss.

Tiffany got candid in a heartfelt IG post Sunday, explaining how the joy of learning they were expecting baby no. 2 "quickly washed away in a wave of blood tests, ultrasounds and an ER visit, all confirming that it was an ectopic pregnancy that never had a chance of survival."

She shared how the loss hit hard during the season of giving thanks ... and she found herself crying to God, questioning why her "precious poppyseed-sized embryo" implanted in the wrong place and why she even got pregnant if it was going to end in devastation.

Tragic news for Trent Williams' family -- the San Francisco 49ers star's wife just revealed their son was stillborn last month ... after losing his twin sibling earlier in the pregnancy.

Sondra -- who shares three daughters with Williams -- announced the heartbreaking loss on Instagram with a heartfelt video showing her pregnancy journey leading up to welcoming Trenton O'Brien Williams Jr. on November 24.

"My firstborn and only son, I've always wanted you, but God wanted and needed you more," Sondra said ... adding Trenton -- who weighed 4 pounds, 8 ounces -- was diagnosed with Trisomy 13, also known as Patau Syndrome.

Sad news from the K-Pop world -- BTS member V’s beloved pet dog has died.

V shared the heartbreaking news Monday via an Instagram Story, telling fans in Korean his pet dog Yeontan had "gone on a long journey," posting a compilation of pics and videos of his furry friend on his feed to honor their time together.

The singer explained it felt right to share the sad news with the BTS ARMY -- a nickname for the boyband's fans -- since they've shown so much love to Yeontan over the years.

Wayne Northrop -- a longtime television actor who appeared in over 1000 episodes of the soap opera "Days of Our Lives" -- has died ... TMZ has confirmed.

The star's publicist, Cynthia Snyder, tells us ... Northrop passed away at the Motion Picture and Television Woodland Hills Home -- an assisted living facility for those in the film industry.

Northrop was diagnosed with Alzheimer's six years ago ... hence the need for assisted living care.