Maricet Espinosa Gonzalez, a two-time Pan American judo champion, has died at the age of 34. “With great pain, the university community of Cuban sport receives the news of the passing of the outstanding Cuban judoka Maricet Espinosa González. On behalf of our teachers, workers, and students we extend our deepest condolences to their families, friends, and colleagues,” the Cuban Sports University said on social media. Espinosa Gonzalez reportedly died as a result of a heart attack.
Espinosa Gonzalez was the Pan-American champion in 2013 and 2014, as well as the silver medalist at the 2016 Games. Also in 2016, she represented Cuba at the Rio Olympics, losing in the second round of the Women’s 63kg Judo competition. Espinosa Gonzalez had surgery on January 21. However, it is unknown at this time if that was in any way related to her death.
Furthermore, Espinosa Gonzalez’s death comes just six days after that of another Olympian. Canadian pole vaulter Shawn Barber was a world champion, Pan-American champion, and Commonwealth silver medallist. “More than just an incredible athlete, Shawn was such a good-hearted person that always put others ahead of himself. It’s tragic to lose such a good person at such a young age,” Barber’s agent said after the news of the pole vaulter’s death broke. Barber was 29 at the time of his death but had been suffering some health issues.
Barber took home world championship gold in 2015 but was unable to translate that into Olympic success. He finished 10th in Rio He retired from professional athletics following the conclusion of the 2018 season. He had earned a bronze medal in the Diamond League that season. Furthermore, Barber came out as gay in 2017 and was well-regarded for his vocal advocacy and visibility as a queer athlete. Barber was residing in Texas at the time of his death and had been living there for many years.
Lee Sun-kyun, best known to Western audiences as the rich Park family patriarch in Parasite, has died aged 48. He was found unconscious in his car in Seoul amid weeks of intense scrutiny about his alleged drug use. Lee was being investigated by police after allegedly using drugs at the home of a bar hostess. However, Lee claimed that he had been tricked into doing drugs as part of a blackmail scheme. At the time of his death, Lee was seeking legal action against the two people he was accusing of blackmail. While South Korea’s drug laws are incredibly strict, there has been a steady rise in the number of drug-related arrests in recent years.
However, the scrutiny around the allegations and now Lee’s death, has sparked massive debate in South Korea. “Lee faced some allegations but they haven’t been formally verified. But the media has been assertively reporting about Lee’s private life … and I think that’s something wrong,” media professor Kang Youn-gon told the Associated Press. There has been a spate of high-profile suicides in South Korea in recent years. This includes several K-Pop stars and other major celebrities.
While best known to Western audiences for his Oscar-winning role in Parasite, Lee was a superstar in South Korea. He found his breakout in 2007 with the medical drama White Tower and rom-com Coffee Prince. He would build a name for himself over the coming years, including in a trio of projects with acclaimed director Kwon Seok-jang. This led to 2018’s My Mister before Lee was cast in Parasite. Parasite would go on to become the first non-English language film to win the Best Picture Award at the Oscars.
The cause of Lee’s death has not been confirmed. South Korean police have refused to provide details beyond confirming that they found Lee in his car. However, several South Korean outlets reported his death as a suspected suicide. Outlets such as Yonhap have reported that Lee’s family told police that the actor had left a suicide note before he disappeared last week. This remains a developing story.
Matthew Perry died as a result of the “acute effects of ketamine”, according to a toxicology report obtained by TMZ. Perry had been receiving ketamine treatment for his anxiety and depression. However, the toxicologist believes Perry had ingested a recreational dose of the drug prior to his death due to its short half-life. Per the medical examiner’s report, the ketamine caused cardiac overstimulation and respiratory depression, leading to Perry’s death.
Perry was found unresponsive in the hot tub at his California residence on October 28. Drowning was listed as a contributing factor in the medical examiner’s report. Friends were shocked to hear of the actor’s death, stating that he had “never been happier” in the days leading up to his death. Furthermore, the medical examiner found no evidence of drugs such as PCP, fentanyl, or cocaine in Perry’s system. However, another contributing factor was the effects of buprenorphine. Buprenorphine is used in addiction recovery.
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 17: Matthew Perry attends the GQ Men of the Year Party 2022 at The West Hollywood EDITION on November 17, 2022 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for GQ)
Following his death, sources within the LAPD told TMZ that a preliminary search of Perry’s home did not find any evidence of illegal drugs. However, officers did find prescribed anti-depressants, anti-anxiety drugs, and drugs prescribed to treat chronic lung conditions. A toxicology report will determine if Perry had any drugs in his system at the time of his death. Perry’s body was later removed from his home and taken into police custody.
Perry was best known as sarcastic funnyman Chandler Bing in F.R.I.E.N.D.S., which graced TV screens for a decade in the 90s and early 2000s. He would largely step away from acting as the 2000s wore on. However, he did have major roles in Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip, Go On, and The Odd Couple. He would also appear as a minor antagonist in Fallout: New Vegas and act alongside Zac Efron in 17 Again. However, Perry’s life was also marred by struggles with addiction and battles with mental health issues. He openly spoke about an addiction to diet pills during the early years of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. He also smoked throughout his life, leading to a number of surgeries and chronic lung conditions.
A wealth of hip-hop stars have come out to pay tribute to Andrew Braugher, the veteran actor who died this week aged 61. “Met him once in the streets of NYC,” he wrote. “Thanked him for being a credit to his craft. Couldn’t have been more kind. RIP Captain!” Bun B wrote on Instagram. “This f-ckin sucks. I worked w Andre on B99 years ago. I remember I asked him for relationship advice and he was so cool and easy. Ill never forget that moment being in his presence. RIP Andre,” Kid Cudi wrote on X. Cudi appeared as the main antagonist of a Season 1 episode of Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
“Damn man. One of my fav character actors (Homicide: Life On The Streets/Gideon’s Crossing/Hack/Thief/Men Of A Certain Age/Law & Order/of course Brooklyn Nine Nine & his last series The Good Fight). Man I would commit to a show on the strength of him being a character. Wow man this is sad for his loved ones and family and friends and for the legions of fans who loved his work. Rest in Power #AndreBraugher,” Questlove wrote. Braugher’s publicist said that the veteran actor died after a “brief illness”.
This fuckin sucks. I worked w Andre on B99 years ago. I remember I asked him for relationship advice and he was so cool and easy. Ill never forget that moment being in his presence. RIP Andre 🪽 https://t.co/Ayo00u3E75
Braugher was a two-time Emmy award winner who found a way to bring something new to every role, despite this long-running presence in police procedurals. He began his small-screen career as Detective Winston Blake in a series of Kojak specials between 1989 and 1990. However, his breakout role would be in Homicide: Life On The Streets, where he appeared in nearly 100 episodes. Despite this, contemporary audiences will likely know Braugher as Captain Raymond Holt in the police comedy, Brooklyn Nine-Nine. The stoic Captain Holt allowed Braugher to flex is comedic muscles, even if his character wasn’t expected to be the “funny man”.
Tributes from across the entertainment world have poured in for Braugher since his death was announced. “Can’t believe you’re gone so soon. I’m honored to have known you, laughed with you, worked with you and shared 8 glorious years watching your irreplaceable talent. This hurts. You showed me what a life well-lived looked like,” Braugher’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine co-star Terry Crews wrote on Instagram.
Two-time Emmy Award-winner Andre Braugher has died at the age of 61. Braugher was best known for his work in police procedurals. He began his small-screen career as Detective Winston Blake in a series of Kojak specials between 1989 and 1990. However, his breakout role would be in Homicide: Life On The Streets, where he appeared in nearly 100 episodes. Despite this, contemporary audiences will likely know Braugher as Captain Raymond Holt in the police comedy, Brooklyn Nine-Nine. The stoic Captain Holt allowed Braugher to flex is comedic muscles, even if his character wasn’t expected to be the “funny man”.
According to Braugher’s publicist, the actor died after a “brief illness”. During his career, Braugher won two Primetime Emmys – one for Homicide: Life On The Streets in 1998 and one for Thief in 2006. His recurring work in police shows came despite Braugher himself fearing that he would end up typecast. “If I do it too long then I’ll stop really searching and probing inside my own work. That’s just a great danger. I think I’m going to escape that trap, and get an opportunity to do some work that will be more challenging for me,” he told the AP in 1998.
Tributes from across the entertainment world have poured in for Braugher since his death was announced. “Can’t believe you’re gone so soon. I’m honored to have known you, laughed with you, worked with you and shared 8 glorious years watching your irreplaceable talent. This hurts. You showed me what a life well-lived looked like,” Braugher’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine co-star Terry Crews wrote on Instagram.
After Brooklyn Nine-Nine ended in 2021, Braugher has only been seen a few times on screen. His biggest role since the show’s end was 2022’s She Said, a biopic about the New York Times‘ expose of Harvey Weinstein. Furthermore, Braugher will have one posthumous release. The Residence, which does not have a release date, is a mystery-drama set at the White House and will debut on Netflix. Braugher is survived by his wife of 30 years, as well as their children and his mother.
Forest Whitaker and Keisha Nash were a power couple whose relationship stood the test of time for over two decades. The pair were highly accomplished and well-respected in their fields. Furthermore, their journey as a couple was a beacon of stability in the ever-changing landscape of Hollywood relationships. However, in 2021 the couple called it quits on their marriage. In the wake of Keisha Nash’s death on December 7, 2023, we’re looking back at their relationship, from their early friendship to a blossoming romance that allowed them to share a family until their mutual decision to part ways.
Forest Whitaker and Keisha Whitaker attend an event at the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City on December 12, 1994.
Forest Whitaker and Keisha Nash began their love story in the early 90s. Specifically, they first crossed paths on the set of the 1994 film, Blown Away. Keisha was cast to act as Forest’s character’s girlfriend. At the time, Forest was already a respected actor with a notable performance in the film The Crying Game. Keisha, on the other hand, was making a name for herself as a successful actress and producer. Overall, their initial connection was rooted in friendship, but not long after, the two started dating. By 1995, after one year together, Whitaker proposed.
1996-1998: Forest Whitaker And Keisha Nash Start A Family
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 23: (L-R) Actor Forest Whitaker, daughters Sonnet Whitaker and True Whitaker and wife actress Keisha Whitaker attend the Los Angeles Mission Christmas event at the Los Angeles Mission on December 23, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)
In 1996, the lovely couple took their relationship to the next level. They tied the knot in a private ceremony in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Their families accompanied them to celebrate their union. Forest brought his son, Ocean Alexander, from another relationship, while Keisha also brought her daughter Autumn. Their wedding opted for a more spiritual feel, utilizing the Apache marriage blessings.
Furthermore, their union marked the beginning of a beautiful chapter in their lives. As their love blossomed, so did their family. In October 1996, the couple welcomed their first child together, Sonnet Noel Whitaker. Two years later, they welcomed their second daughter, True Whitaker. Parenthood added a new layer to their relationship, solidifying their commitment to each other and creating a close-knit family unit. Despite the demands of their respective careers, Forest Whitaker and Keisha Nash made a conscious effort to prioritize family time.
2003: A Home Fit For Hollywood Royalty
In 2003, the family of six decided to move into a larger space. The Godfather Of Harlem actor and his wife purchased a large, $2 million lot and put two homes on the estate. One of the houses had 11 bedrooms and 11 bathrooms. The other had six bedrooms and six bathrooms.
NEW YORK – MARCH 10: (L-R) AJ Crimson, Keisha Whitaker and Forest Whitaker attend Keisha Whitaker’s birthday dinner at Juliet Supper Club on March 10, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
Even though both Forest Whitaker and Keisha Nash have been on top of their game, their personal lives remain largely private. As a result, two whole decades flew by before they were in the media for anything outside of their careers. The first sign of trouble in the couple’s marriage showed up in 2017 when they put their family estate up for sale. While media outlets speculated that they wanted a different space, rumors also surfaced that the couple were heading towards a split.
2018-2019: Forest Whitaker & Keisha Nash On The Road To Divorce
(L-R) Actor Forest Whitaker and wife Keisha Whitaker attend Domenico Vacca Fall 2009 during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at The Salon in Bryant Park on February 17, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Janette Pellegrini/WireImage)
A little over a year after they sold their estate in 2017, Forest Whitaker filed for divorce after 22 years of marriage. He cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for divorce. With their children over the age of 18, he did not have to pay for child support. According to TMZ, Keisha Nash subsequently asked for spousal support, but Whitaker asked the judge to deny the request. By 2019, Whitaker was suspected to be jumping back into the dating pool. He was reported by Page Six to have been spotted dining out with a mystery woman.
2021: Finally Separated
SANTA MONICA, CA – MARCH 01: Forest Whitaker and Keisha Nash Whitaker attend the 2014 Film Independent Spirit Awards at Santa Monica Beach on March 1, 2014 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Three years went by before the divorce between Forest Whitaker and Keisha Nash was finalized. The judgment stated that the former couple’s “irreconcilable differences had led to the irremediable breakdown of the marriage.” This, in turn, made it “impossible for the parties to live together as husband and wife.” Both parties continued to remain largely private following their divorce.
Dec. 2023: Keisha Nash’s Death
Tragically, the ex-couple’s daughter True announced that her mother Keisha Nash had died at the age of 51. On her Instagram story, True wrote: “Goodbye, mommy. I love you 4ever and beyond. The most beautiful woman in the world… thank you for teaching me every single thing I know. I’ll see you in my dreams and I’ll feel you in my heart”
Although the cause of her death was not made public, rumors that Keisha had died after a long battle with anorexia began circulating. True came to her late mother’s defense and denied those rumors. She asked the public not to speculate and fabricate stories. “There have been statements from STRANGERS claiming the cause of my mom’s death. My mom DID NOT suffer from anorexia, although my heart goes out to those who do.” While Forest Whitaker has not made any official statements concerning his ex-wife’s death, the proof of their union remains evident in their daughters.
Losing a family member is never easy, and for many parents, one of their biggest hopes in life is for their children to outlive them. Such unfortunately wasn’t the case for Jeffrey and Lionel Dahmer as the notorious killer lost his life in a 1994 prison stabbing. The former wound up behind bars after he was found guilty of murdering, dismembering and cannibalizing at least 17 men between the years of 1978 and 1991. Lionel’s son was condemned by the public. Through it all, his father stood by his side, making the world gain a better understanding of what life is really like for those struggling with mental illness.
Before and after Jeff’s death, the Dahmer family patriarch spoke with public figures like Dr. Phil and Oprah to help others hopefully develop empathy for the convicted murderer. As TMZ reports, the father-son duo came together to do an MSNBC interview while the younger of the two was serving his 15 consecutive life terms. It’s obvious that he would’ve spent the rest of his life in prison had he survived Christopher Scarver’s stabbing.
Still, Lionel put non-stop focus into helping Jeffrey redeem his public image as much as possible. The elder Dahmer was 87 when he passed today (December 5) in a Medina County, Ohio hospice centre. At this time, the exact cause of his death remains unknown, but we’ll surely keep you in the know as more updates come.
Jeffrey Dahmer’s name has spent plenty of time in the mainstream news these past few years, largely thanks to Ryan Murphy’s series depicting the serial killer’s heinous crime. Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story is available for streaming on Netflix, with Evan Peters playing the cannibal and Richard Jenkins channelling his father. Reactions online were all over, but the limited series undeniably shed necessary light on an unforgettable story. Thanks to the hype, his infamous glasses went on sale for a huge number, which you can read more about at the link below. RIP Lionel.
Just days after the first anniversary of Takeoff’s tragic passing due to senseless gun violence, another rapper has allegedly lost their life. On Saturday (November 4) afternoon, reports of Tallahassee native NFL TueWop’s death began circulating across various hip-hop blogs. The rising star has fallen victim to gun violence in his hometown, according to the earliest updates, though we’re still waiting for further details to paint a more complete picture.
The late Southern star’s most popular work comes from collaborating with Kodak Black on last year’s Kutthroat Bill: Vol. 1 album. The pair joined forces on “Ammunition,” which has amassed upwards of 1.5 million streams on Spotify since dropping. On his own accord, TueWop had a particularly busy 2022, sharing a five-track EP called Last Soulja’s Left, followed by a single called “FreeTrappa.” Before meeting his demise this year, he delivered “Ruff N Rugged,” “Kut That Bricc” with GoldenBoy CountUp, and another short but seriously fire EP.
NFL TueWop Alleged Victim of Fatal Shooting in His Hometown
Kodak Black Old Artist & Tallahassee Rapper NFL Tuewop Was Shot & Killed In His Own Hometown Earlier. Rest In Peace, Long Live That Boy pic.twitter.com/yx6Ko3PijD
The last release to land on TueWop’s Spotify profile was his seven-track album from July of this year. On that, he connected with Dufflebagshotz, ProfessorGeek23, JakeJhitt8x, and Zaybostunna. Besides making waves with his musical work, the rapper is also known for having exposed Real Boston Richey’s (a fellow Florida-born artist signed to Future’s Freebandz) alleged snitching, which caused tension between them in the past. At this time it remains unclear if that beef is tied to TueWop’s rumoured passing, but investigators are sure to be exploring all their leads over the coming weeks.
Kodak Black’s health has been a cause for concern among his fans in recent months, particularly after the “Love & War” artist’s appearance on Drink Champs. Despite assuring social media followers that he’s doing fine, we can’t help but worry how he’ll fare when hearing the news of NFL TueWop’s tragic death. Catch up on the latest updates on Yak at the link below, and check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.
Unfortunately for music lovers, another pioneer of hip-hop has lost their lives far too soon. On Monday (October 23), TMZ shared the sad news of Paul Costict’s death, which reportedly happened unexpectedly at his home in Norfolk, Virginia on Saturday. A family member told the outlet that the 57-year-old’s cause of death is unclear at this time, though he was in good spirits during a phone call earlier on in the week. It’s worth mentioning that the B-Rock and The Bizz member recently dealt with an illness, though we’re not sure if that will be connected to his death in the long run.
Costict’s music career was relatively short, as his group became a one-hit wonder thanks to the success of “My Baby Daddy.” It landed back in 1997 and ultimately went on to peak at No. 10 on the Billboard chart at the time. Prior to his passing, the artist saw the single certified gold, though it went on to cause him some problems on an episode of Divorce Court.
Revisit B-Rock and The Bizz’s “My Baby Daddy” in Honour of Paul Costict
Costict found himself in a dispute with his ex-wife, Lasancious, over his commemorative RIAA plaque, which she wanted to hold onto during their separation. Besides his musical contributions to B-Rock and The Bizz, the deceased previously worked as a road manager for the group. His fellow band member, Thaddeus “T-Bird” Maye told TMZ he’ll remember Paul as “a very funny and Kool brother.” The two grew up together in Alabama, and enjoyed the time they spent together creating.
Even though posthumous releases are nice in thought, they rarely hit the same as music shared straight from the source. It’s unlikely we’ll hear more from Paul Costict, but we’re continuing to see others who have been laid to rest surpassing impressive milestones musically. Read the latest achievement from XXXTentaction at the link below, and check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates. RIP Paul Costict.
NFL Hall of Famer Dick Butkus has died at the age of 80. The Bears broke the news, saying that Butkus had died in his sleep at his home in Malibu. Butkus was once called “The Most-Feared Man in the Game” and terroized offenses between 1965 and 1973. Despite being an eight-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro player, the Bears never made the playoffs while Butkus was on the team. After playing his collegiate years at Illinois, Butkus was drafted by both the NFL and AFL. However, he opted to stay close to home and chose the Bears over the Broncos.
After retiring, Butkus pursued acting and sports broadcasting and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1979. He also left a deep sporting legacy. His nephew Luke is a long-time NFL positional coach and currently works with the Green Bay Packers. Meanwhile, his grandson currently plays volleyball at UCLA. Furthermore, Butkus was heavily involved in philantophic work following his playing career. The Butkus award is given annually to the best linebacker at each of the high school, college, and pro levels. Furthermore, Butkus gave his name to a heart health foundation.
A moment of silence was held for Butkus prior to the Bears’ Thursday night game against the Commanders. “Dick Butkus was a fierce and passionate competitor who helped define the linebacker position as one of the NFL’s all-time greats. Dick’s intuition, toughness and athleticism made him the model linebacker whose name will forever be linked to the position and the Chicago Bears. We also remember Dick as a long-time advocate for former players, and players at all levels of the game,” Commissioner Roger Goodell said.
“He was Chicago’s son and exuded what our great city is about and, not coincidentally, what George Halas looked for in a player: toughness, smarts, instincts, passion and leadership. He refused to accept anything less than the best from himself, or from his teammates,” added Bears chairman George McCaskey.
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