Robert Brooks Fatal Inmate Beating Under FBI Investigation
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The fatal beating of Robert Brooks -- which was captured on horrifying body cam video from NYC corrections officers -- is being investigated by the FBI, TMZ has learned.
The federal agency said in a statement to TMZ ... “The FBI Albany Field Office and the Department of Justice are reviewing the facts and circumstances surrounding the death of Robert L. Brooks to determine the appropriate federal response. As this is an ongoing review, we are not able to comment further at this time.”
The major development comes one day after body cam footage of corrections officers brutally beating a restrained Brooks -- who died hours later -- was released by the New York State Attorney General ... showing officers hitting the bloodied man repeatedly.
New York Corrections Officers Fatal Beating Caught on Tape ... Released by State Attorney's Office
update
12/30 12:24 PM PT -- James Miller, rep for NYS Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association tells TMZ ... "NYSCOPBA’s Executive Board has reviewed the video footage released by the Attorney General regarding the death of Robert Brooks at Marcy Correctional Facility. What we have witnessed is reprehensible. It is clear to all of us that these actions are a disgrace to our profession and have put everyone inside our facilities at risk. As correction officers and sergeants, we have a duty to protect every person inside a correctional facility. At all times, we must be ready to stop those seeking to do harm, and that includes fellow staff. We, as an organization, stand in complete defiance of the callous disregard for the suffering that we have all witnessed on this video. NYSCOPBA will continue to fulfill its legal obligation to defend all members from all administrative charges, regardless of severity or public outcry. However, as more information becomes readily available, NYSCOPBA must continue to focus its efforts on advocating on behalf of those members who dutifully come to work every day and act with the professionalism and selflessness demanded of them."
Body cam footage of corrections officers brutally beating a restrained inmate -- who died hours later -- has been released by the New York State Attorney General ... showing officers hitting the bloodied man repeatedly.
The video shows Robert Brooks -- an inmate serving a 12-year sentence for first-degree assault -- repeatedly being punched and kicked ... and, one man appears to gag him with a towel.
Videos released by the attorney general's office show one officer repeatedly striking Brooks in his midsection with a shoe as other officers hold him down with his arms behind him. At one point, the officers lift Brooks up by his neck ... he's got blood all over his face and he can't even hold up his own weight.
Olivia Hussey 'Romeo and Juliet' Star Dead at 73
Olivia Hussey, most well known for playing Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli’s classic 1968 drama “Romeo and Juliet," has died.
The actress passed away Friday at her home surrounded by family, according to a lengthy post on her Instagram page ... but her cause of death was not revealed.
The sad IG announcement read in part ... "Olivia was a remarkable person whose warmth, wisdom, and pure kindness touched the lives of all who knew her."
OG Maco Dead At 32 Spent Weeks In Hospital With Gunshot Wound
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UPDATE
11:03 AM PT -- OG Maco's family has released a statement, summarizing the rapper's life and career as a "testament to resilience, creativity and boundless love."
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OG Maco passed away last night surrounded by family in a Los Angeles hospital, TMZ Hip Hop has learned.
The "U Guessed It" rapper had been hospitalized since December 12 after suffering a gunshot wound to the head. Sources close to the situation tell us Maco's coma took a turn and he went into critical condition, and he was unable to be revived.
Doctors had been struggling to get a proper brain scan in attempts to flush out all the toxins in Maco's system since he was admitted earlier in the month.
Greg Gumbel Sportscasting Legend Dead At 78
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Sports broadcasting legend Greg Gumbel has died.
The longtime studio host's family said in a statement to CBS on Friday "he passed away peacefully surrounded by much love after a courageous battle with cancer."
They added, "Greg approached his illness like one would expect he would, with stoicism, grace, and positivity. He leaves behind a legacy of love, inspiration and dedication to over 50 extraordinary years in the sports broadcast industry; and his iconic voice will never be forgotten."
Boxer Paul Bamba Dead At 35 Ne-Yo Mourns Loss
Professional boxer Paul Bamba -- who recently became the first fighter to sign with Ne-Yo's management company -- has died, the singer announced Friday. He was just 35 years old.
"It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of beloved son, brother, friend and boxing champion Paul Bamba, whose light and love touched countless lives," Ne-Yo and the Bamba family said in a joint statement.
AND THE NEW 🏆🥊 @PaulLABamba pic.twitter.com/hU2t1UQQYf
— DTG (@dtgyeahyeah) December 22, 2024 @dtgyeahyeah
Bamba held a 19-3 record over the course of his career ... and most recently defeated Rogelio Medina Luna in New Jersey this past Saturday to be named the WBA Gold Cruiserweight world champion.
JonBenét Ramsey Dad Meeting w/ Cops ... Hopeful They'll Use New Tech to Solve Murder
John Bennett Ramsey has plans to meet with local police once again ... in hopes of convincing them to use new DNA-testing technology to solve his daughter's killing.
The father of JonBenét is expected to speak with the Boulder Police Department in Colorado again in January, along with representatives from a leading DNA lab, to push for a new approach to evidence authorities collected nearly three decades ago.
John explains there is new DNA tech that could separate mixed samples ... a major issue with DNA collected at the time, he says. Ramsey's hopeful the police will allow an independent lab to conduct testing on the old crime scene items. JonBenét was killed on Christmas night in 1996, and her body was found hours later, after she had been reported missing.
Dick Capri Dead at 93 ... Legendary Comedian, Broadway Actor
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Dick Capri -- a longtime actor and comedian -- has died ... TMZ has learned.
Capri's son, Jeff, tells TMZ ... Dick was diagnosed with a bleeding enlarged aorta that was rendered inoperable because of his age.
Dick just kept living while knowing his time was coming to an end. He spent a nice Christmas with his son, his daughter-in-law and his life partner Wednesday ... and, the crew FaceTimed family that couldn't make it down to Florida for the holiday.
Celebrity Deaths In 2024 Liam Payne, Cissy Houston, Richard Simmons
2024 will be remembered for many shocking events ... and here, we remember celebrities who tragically died over the last calendar year.
Liam Payne shocked the world when he fell to his death from a hotel balcony in Argentina ... and the former One Direction member's death is still under police investigation, with lots of moving parts involved.
12 years after Whitney Houston's death and 9 years after Bobbi Kristina Brown's passing, the Houston family suffered another sad loss ... the passing of singer Cissy Houston, Whitney's mom and Houston matriarch, occurred in October. She passed away at the age of 91 after battling Alzheimer's disease in hospice care.
'Baby Driver' Actor Hudson Meek Dead at 16 ... After Falling out Of Moving Vehicle
Teen actor Hudson Meek -- best known for his role in the action film, "Baby Driver" -- has died after he tumbled out of a moving vehicle, TMZ has confirmed.
Law enforcement sources tell us... Hudson suffered blunt force trauma injuries after a fall on December 19 in Vestavia Hills, AL. He was rushed to a hospital and treated but passed away two days later.
Hudson's mom, Lane Wells Meeks, posted a message on Facebook, saying their family is shattered by her son's death ... adding he accomplished a lot in his short life and had a major impact on everyone he touched.
Tommy Lazzaro Ex-Central Mich. Star Dead At 27 ... After Hunting Accident
Former Central Michigan Chippewas quarterback Tommy Lazzaro has passed away, the school announced Thursday. He was just 27 years old.
Lazzaro -- a Monument, Colorado native -- was involved in a fatal hunting accident this past Sunday in Florida, according to multiple reports.
Lazzaro made 20 career appearances for the Chippewas ... and was part of the team that went 8-6 and made it to the MAC Championship Game against Miami (OH) in 2019. He led the team with two touchdowns in the contest.
'Baby Driver' Actor Hudson Meek Foul Play Not Suspected in Death No Sign of Drugs or Alcohol
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Actor Hudson Meek's death is being treated as an accident, and it doesn't appear substances played any role in the fall that took his life ... TMZ has learned.
Law enforcement sources tell us ... no foul play is suspected in Hudson's death -- and, cops are looking into this as an accident.
We're told there were no signs of drugs or alcohol ... and, cops do not believe they played any part in the accident.
Richard Perry Famed Record Producer Dead at 82 ... Dated Jane Fonda For Almost A Decade
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Richard Perry -- a music producer who collaborated with some of the biggest stars of the 1970s and '80s -- has passed away ... TMZ has confirmed.
Ben McCarthy -- Perry's personal assistant of nearly three decades -- tells TMZ ... Richard passed away at around 1:30 AM this morning.
We're told Richard fought Parkison's disease ... with Ben saying he saw him for a few hours about a month ago -- and, Richard wasn't able to verbally communicate. That said, Richard was in good spirits during their visit, Ben adds.
Olympian Sophie Hediger Dead At 26 ... Killed In Avalanche
Sophie Hediger -- a Swiss snowboarder who competed in the 2022 Beijing Games -- was tragically killed in an avalanche on Monday. She was just 26 years old.
Switzerland's skiing federation announced the heartbreaking news on Tuesday -- revealing the incident happened at the Arosa resort.
"We are stunned," Swiss-Ski CEO Walter Reusser said in a statement, "and our thoughts are with Sophie's family, to whom we express our deepest condolences."
Tim Dillon Spoofs Brian Thompson in Netflix Special ... Calls People Out For Celebrating Murder
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Stand-up comedian Tim Dillon's wading into one of the biggest stories of 2024 ... playing slain UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in a Netflix special.
Here's the deal ... on Friday, Netflix is releasing "Torching 2024: A Roast of the Year" -- a roast taking a flamethrower to some of the biggest news stories from 2024 as we head into 2025.
Of course, arguably the biggest story of the year was the shooting death of Thompson earlier this month ... and sources familiar with the taping tell us that Dillon and Netflix didn't shy away from it.
NICOLE KIDMAN & KEITH URBAN JUST BEACHY DOWN UNDER ... First Family Outing Since Mom's Death
Nicole Kidman is back in her hometown of Sydney for the holiday season, and spending time a the beach with her extended family ... their first public get together since Nicole lost her mother.
The actress and her fam soaked up Sydney’s sunny weather while on the beach with husband, Keith Urban. The power couple was also joined by Nicole's sister Antonia, her husband Craig Marran and their 2 kids.
The family appeared relaxed and cheerful as they enjoy the holiday season together only a few months after Nicole and Antonia's mom died in September.