The Fulton County Medical Examiner has released documents confirming that AJ Jewell’s death has officially been ruled a homicide. AJ was a regular on the hit BRAVO reality series The Real Housewives of Atlanta. He was engaged to one of the Housewives (Kandi Burruss) throughout the taping of the show. The two broke up over the summer shortly before AJ died following a fight at a club in Atlanta in October.

TMZ reports: The cause of death is listed as, “Physical altercation resulting in sickle cell trait related exertional collapse.” Contributing factors are listed as, “intestinal myocardial fidrosis,” as well as an enlarged heart.

Translation — the fight triggered a flare up with Jewell’s sickle cell disease.

Frederick Richardson, the other guy involved in the fight has been arrested, charged with voluntary manslaughter and is currently behind bars.

Anderson’s attorney told TMZ: “It’s an unfortunate situation, Frederick is sorry this situation happened and that A.J. died.”

Such a sad story…

Well, we know at least 1 Jackson can hold her own!

It turns out Michael Jackson’s series of lavish funerals were definitely a home going fit for a king! After three different ceremonies following his death in June, Michael Jackson was finally laid to rest in September. Everything combined ended up costing at least $1 million!

The only other person in the family with a cash flow like Mike would be his little sister Janet Jackson, who graciously covered some of the cost of the funeral bill, which was a whopping $103,578.50 and she put up $49,372.50 initially. Documents state that MJ ’sestate was granted permission to pay Janet back the money though and they picked up the remainder of the tab.

Reported by TMZ here are the general cost of the funeral:

As for itemized costs, the internment was $590,000. As for upkeep of the mausoleum — $88,500.

The casket coach — $295

Private security, lighting, baby grand piano, fan rentals — $176,020.31.

And there’s this — Framing of a photo of MJ which was placed next to the casket — $3,682.66

Wardrobe for the family — $1,975.50

Flower van — $125

Invitation programs–$11,716

Wardrobe cost of family–$1,975

Flowers–$16,000

LaToya Jackson says her nieces and nephews are taking their father Michael Jackson’s death pretty hard; so hard that the three of them are going through therapy to cope with their loss. She even mentioned how heartbroken Paris is because she’ll never be able to see her daddy perform live in person.

“Paris thinks and talks about her father all the time. She’s doing very well, writes a lot and she wears his shirts every day. They still smell of him and it helps her feel close to him. Her bedroom is covered in posters of Michael and she watches tapes of him all the time. After he passed, the kids went up to the house to get whatever they wanted. Paris took anything with a picture of her father on and brought it back to her new room at my mother’s house. She was so upset that she would never see her father on stage. She said, ‘Now I’ll never get the chance to see Daddy perform live.’

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After posting a $10,000 dollar bond, Frederick Richardson, best known as the man allegedly responsible for the death of A.J. Jewell (from the Real Housewives of Atlanta), was released from prison Tuesday morning (Oct 20). Before Richardson posted his bail, he was seen before Judge Karen Woodson, who set the bond following an autopsy on A.J.’s body.

Richardson and Jewel, who was engaged to Kandi Burruss of BRAVO’s Real Housewives of Atlanta up until August of this year, had an undisclosed dispute at Atlanta strip joint Body Tap earlier this month (Fri Oct 2). Shortly after the dispute and the physical altercation that followed, Jewell died on the way to the hsopital. During Richardson’s arrest, authorities assumed Jewell’s death was due to head trauma, and charged Richardson accordingly with voluntary manslaughter. But the new autopsy states differently and considers that A.J. suffered from Sickle Cell and that may have played a role in his unfortunate demise.

And though his family acknowledges that he indeed have the Sickle Cell trait, his death was due to the physical altercation and not the disease.

“Our son A.J. had the Sickle Cell trait which caused no related medical problems during his life. We feel A.J.’s death was a result of the malicious attack by the individual and/or individuals present during the figh,” the family told TMZ.

A.J. Jewell leaves behind his fiancee and Real Housewives of Atlanta co-star Kandi Burruss, and six children. His family is in our prayers and we are hopeful that justice will be served.

Fulton County Associate Medical Examiner, Dr. Kelly Rose tells TMZ preliminary autopsy results lead her to believe Ashley “A.J.” Jewell suffered from Sickle Cell — a disease which inhibits oxygen flow to tissues in the body.

Rose says it’s most likely that Jewell was worked up from the fight — and because of his condition, it’s probable that he couldn’t replenish the oxygen he lost during the incident … which the Dr. says could have fatal consequences.

AJ was engaged to R&B singer/songwriter Kandi Burruss (formerly of Xscape) up until August 2009 and was a regular on her show, “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.” Filming for the reunion special was set to take place last Thursday (Oct 8), but has since been pushed back due to AJ’s sudden death the week prior.

PHOTO: FREDDYO

Wow! News just broke that Ashley Jewell aka “AJ” (Kandi Buruss’s ex fiance) was involved in a fatal club incident this evening, which resulted in him being stabbed and beat to death. AJ was a regular on Kandi’s show, the Real Housewives of Atlanta (BRAVO). The two had been engaged up until August 2009.

I just received word that AJ, who was Kandi’s (RHOA) finance, was beat to death in a brawl at Body Tap Exclusive in Atlanta. My sources state that AJ was a promoter partial owner of the strip club and was hit in the head. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he passed away from his injuries. People who are currently inside the club are texting FROM the club but no additional information is available.

SOURCE: MISS JIA

No more information is currently available as this story is developing, but we’ll keep you updated. This is very sad, and all we can think about right now are his six kids. Our prayers are definitely with them, Kandi and the rest of his close friends/family.

UPDATED: AJ actually is a part owner at Body Tap, the Atlanta, GA (strip) club where the incident occurred. Though we previously reported that he was stabbed, we were able to confirm through additional sources that no knives were involved and AJ died from injuries sustained from a blow to the head.

Kandi also posted a few messages to her Twitter account, thanking people who left her their condolences. What makes this situation even more sad is the fact that she will be attending her Uncle’s funeral today (Sat. Oct 3).

im bout 2 giv my swollen eyes sum rest now. i just wanted to say thanks 2 every1 for their prayers. i gotta get up & go 2 my uncle’s funeral

I could never n a million years imagine this happening. please pray for AJ’s children. that’s who im the most concerned 4.

im just in one of those moods where i dont wanna talk, i dont wanna b held & told its gonna b ok. i just wanna cry myself 2 sleep, alone.

The AJC is saying that the police have a person of interest and are still trying to piece together exactly what happened. Police are saying that the witnesses they’ve rounded up are cooperating.

Nearly three months after his surprising death, Michael Jackson was finally laid to rest Thursday evening (Sep 3) in an intimate ceremony only attended by close family and friends at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, located in the Glendale district of Los Angeles. According to reports, guests were told the ceremony would start promptly at 7 P.M. (sunset) but the Jackson family left them waiting for about an hour until they showed up a little after 8 P.M. (PT). Jackson’s brothers, Randy, Marlon, Tito, Jackie and Jermaine, wheeled his gold casket to the front of the service once they arrived, and his three children, Prince Michael, Paris and Prince Michael Jr., placed a gold crown on top of the flowers adorning it. They also wrote letters to their father that were placed inside of his casket, alongside one of his signature white gloves.

Celebrities among the attending guests were, of course, the Jackson family, Chris Tucker, Elizabeth Taylor, Quincy Jones, Berry Gordy, Macaulay Culkin, Rev. Al Sharpton, MJ’s ex wife Lisa Marie Presley and Gladys Knight, who sang a gospel song after a prayer by Pastor Lucius Smith. Clifton Davis also performed “Never Can Say Goodbye,” the popular song he wrote for the Jackson 5. After the ceremony was over, MJ’s brothers carried his casket to the Grand Mausoleum, where Michael Jackson entered his final resting place.

After the service, the family ate dinner at an Italian restaurant in Pasadena, CA.

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It looks as though investigators aren’t ruling out suicide as a factor in DJ AM’s sudden and unexpected death after all. According to a new report, the famous DJ swallowed a handful of a powerful painkiller known as OxyContin. An autopsy following his death discovered 8 undigested pills in his stomach. And a single pill was found in his mouth when his body was discovered Friday in his Soho, NYC apartment. He was found lying on top of a bag of crack cocaine.

“He wanted to die,” the source said. “He was going unconscious when he took the last one. He didn’t even swallow it.” A mirror was also propped outside the front door of the apartment and another was leaning against the door of the bedroom where DJ AM was found. T

he source said DJ AM, 36, whose real name was Adam Goldstein, “smoked a lot of crack, barricaded the doors and killed himself.” Goldstein’s BlackBerry was filled with messages from worried friends. One read, “Some [expletive] just said you’re dead. Better text me back.”

SOURCE: NY DAILY NEWS

Goldstein was laid to rest Wednesday (Sep 2) in a private traditional Jewish ceremony and was buried at Hillside Memorial Park and Mortuary in West Los Angeles. A public memorial service is scheduled for Thursday (Sep 3) at the Hollywood Palladium in LA.

Our sources say DJ AM, a recovering addict, developed a dependency to Xanax and other benzodiazepines (a group of drugs used to treat anxiety) as a direct result of the plane crash a year ago. We’re told AM (aka Adam Goldstein) developed a tremendous anxiety over flying — something he had to do frequently for his job. We’re told doctors began prescribing Xanax and other anti-anxiety medications to relieve his fear, but the benzos triggered a relapse into addiction. We’re told benzos are particularly dicey for recovering addicts.

Could the anniversary of the plane crash coming up on September 20th have triggered his relapse?

American club disk jockey Adam Goldstein, best known as DJ AM, was found dead in his New York City apartment Friday evening (Aug 28), reports TMZ.

Sources tell us he was found in his apartment at around 5:20 PM. We’re told drug paraphernalia was found at the scene.

Our sources say DJ AM had not been seen or heard from for a few days — one of his friends went to check on him, but got no response after knocking on his apartment door.

We’re told the friend called the cops — but it was the fire department who finally entered his apartment and found the body.

Back in September of 2008, DJ AM and Travis Barker survived a plane crash in South Carolina. Four people died in the crash — which was caused when the airplane aborted takeoff and then ran off the runway. DJ AM and Barker were the only survivors.

We offer our sincerest condolences to his friends and family at this difficult time.

Today marks 8 years since R&B singer Aaliyah was killed in a plane crash after filming a music video in the Bahamas. Aaliyah was definitely one of the biggest female entertainers in the nineties and was well on her way to becoming a worldwide sensation. It’s believed that artists like Ciara, Keri Hilson and possibly even Beyonce wouldn’t have the amount of success they have today if Aaliyah were still around. But we’ll never know as she was taken from us so quickly in her prime. Just think about it … here we are in the year 2009 and people still think about Aaliyah every August 25th. That definitely speaks volume.

Continue reading to check out a collection of some of her biggest hits in music video form, including “Back and Forth,” “One in a Million,” “We Need a Resolution,” and more.

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It was confirmed over the weekend that Baatin (real name: Titus Baatin Glover) of the hip-hop group Slum Village was found dead early Saturday morning (Aug 1) in Detroit. A cause of death still has yet to be determined, but Wayne County spokeswoman Vanessa Denha said Monday there were no obvious signs of trauma or foul play.

Baatin was a founding member of Slum Village and left the group a few years ago due to an unknown health condition, and it is currently unknown whether or not that condition had anything to do with his death. He was 35 years old.

We here at Gossip On This would like to offer our condolences to his friends and family. And is it just us, or are these celebrity deaths becoming way too common this summer?

NFL quarterback Steve McNair was buried Saturday after what is being called one of the biggest funerals in Mississippi’s recent history. The service was held in the Reed Green Coliseum on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi. Almost 5,000 fans and old friends showed up to pay their last respects to the late athlete. Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young got emotional while speaking briefly about McNair:

“Steve was like a hero to me, and heroes are not supposed to die,” Young said before stopping to rub his eyes as he talked about the man he knew from football camps as a teenager.

SOURCE: FOX SPORTS

Steve McNair was shot and killed on July 4th by his girlfriend, who then shot herself in the head. The death was ruled a “murder-suicide” shortly thereafter.

Here is the final batch of photos from Michael Jackon’s public memorial service. On Tuesday, July 7th 2009, celebrities, dignitaries, and MJ fans alike all packed into the Staples Arena in Los Angeles to celebrate the life of an icon that was taken away from us way too soon. Above, R&B singer Usher can be seen posing with a very pregnant Jennifer Hudson backstage just before the memorial commenced. Continue reading to see photos of the different celebrities (Chris Brown, Wesley Snipes, Spike Lee, Kim Kardashian and more) who attended the ceremony.

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Wearing dark sunglasses and a single yellow rose pinned to his jacket, a noticeably emotional Usher performed “Gone Too Soon,” a track from Michael Jackson’s 1991 Dangerous album, at the King of Pop’s farewell service Tuesday (Jul 7) in Los Angeles at the Staples Center.

Other celebrities and important public figures who spoke and/or performed at the public ceremony include Queen Latifah, Smokey Robinson, Rev. Al Sharpton, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson, and more. Continue reading to check out all of the pictures.

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Here is a very touching photo of Michael Jackson’s brothers (L to R: Randy, Marlon, Tito, Jermaine and Jackie) as they wheel their brother’s gold casket to the front of the Staples Center for the public memorial, which was televised and streamed live on the internet to a record setting estimated audience of over 1 billion people. Continue reading for lots of photos of the Jackson family, including sisters Janet, Rebbie and LaToya, and parents Katherine and Joe, at MJ’s memorial.

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Ever since news broke of Michael Jackson’s surprising death, people speculated on whether or not his three children, Paris, Prince and “Blanket,” would attend any of the services. He tried so hard to keep them out of the public eye for so long that people weren’t so sure that he would have wanted them front and center, especially at an extremely difficult time like this. Losing a parent at any age is a lot to deal with, but with Michael’s children being so young (his oldest, Prince, is only 12 years old) we’re sure they took his death very hard. But they did, indeed, attend the public memorial, held Tuesday (Jul 7) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. And throughout the entire service, were comforted by their aunts and uncles. We said this on Twitter after the service wrapped:

If there was any question about who should have custody of MJ’s kids, this memorial service showed it should be the Jacksons

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Perhaps the most touching moment of Michael Jackson’s public memorial at the Staples Center in Los Angeles was when his 11-year-old daughter, Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, made her impromptu speech about her dad:

“Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine. I just want to say I love him so much.”

She then broke down in tears and was immediately consoled by her aunt Janet, who was standing right beside her the entire time. A very sad and touching moment indeed. Continue reading for that video and videos of all of the people (Brooke Shields, Queen Latifah, his brother Marlon Jackson and more) who went up to say what Michael Jackson meant to them and to the world.

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Lots of singers/performers (Usher, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson, Stevie Wonder and more) took the stage Tuesday (Jul 7) to honor and say goodbye to Michael Jackson at his public memorial service at Los Angeles’ Staples Center. 20,000 people packed into the arena to witness as the world bid the King of Pop a grand farewell. Here are videos from everyone who performed songs at the globally televised memorial. Keep checking back as we will continue to add photos and videos of the people who made speeches throughout today and tomorrow. Continue reading for the videos.

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Former Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds (two to the head and two to the chest) at an apartment complex in Nashville, Tennessee early Saturday morning (Jul 4). After receiving a phone call about an injured person, police say they found the former pro footballer and another woman, later identified as 20-year-old Sahel Kazemi, shot to death.

According to authorities, McNair’s body was found seated on a living room sofa and Kazemi is said to have sustained a lone gunshot wound to the head. Police also said that a pistol was found near her body.

As of Sunday (Jul 5), McNair’s death had been ruled a suicide, though police said they have not classified Kazemi’s death. Kazemi is said to have been involved in a romantic relationship with McNair.

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Pop singer Michael Jackson, the biggest entertainer in our lifetime, has passed away, TMZ reports :(

Michael suffered a cardiac arrest earlier this afternoon at his Holmby Hills home and paramedics were unable to revive him. We’re told when paramedics arrived Jackson had no pulse and they never got a pulse back. A source tells us Jackson was dead when paramedics arrived. Once at the hospital, the staff tried to resuscitate him but he was completely unresponsive. We’re told one of the staff members at Jackson’s home called 911.

LaToya ran in the hospital sobbing after Jackson was pronounced dead. Michael is survived by three children: Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince “Blanket” Michael Jackson II.

Story developing…

Keep the Jackson family in your prayers… Our condolences go out to his friends/family.

A Phoenix police spokesman released the sad news that Mike Tyson’s 4-year-old daughter Exodus Tyson was pronounced dead Tuesday morning.

“The Tyson family would like to extend our deepest and most heartfelt thanks for all your prayers and support, and we ask that we be allowed our privacy at this difficult time,” the family said in a statement.

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Atlanta rapper Dolla, who was signed to Akon’s Konvict Music label, was shot and killed Monday afternoon in Los Angeles at the Beverly Center mall, causing mall shoppers to duck for cover as shots rang out in the parking garage of the popular Westside mall. He had just arrrived in Los Angeles from his hometown of Atlanta earlier in the day and went the mall to do some shopping, according to his publicist Sue Vannasing. While he and another rapper, D.J. Shabbazz, were waiting in the valet area, he was shot in the head. He was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center where he later died.

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David “Pop” Winans Sr., singer and patriarch of the Winans gospel music family, died Wednesday, April 8th, at a hospice in Nashville, TN at the age of 74. He had been in the facility since January due to complications from a heart attack and stroke he had back in 2008. According to reports, his wife Delores “Mom” Winans (pictured on the left) was at his bedside at the time of his passing.

“Pop” Winans made a name for himself following his first Grammy nomination for his 1999 solo CD, Uncensored. Winans and his wife Delores recorded a joint disc together, Mom & Pop Winans, which was also nominated for a Grammy.

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British reality television star, Jane Goody, who rose to fame back in 2002 after being on the UK’s version of Big Brother, has reportedly passed away at her home in Upshire, south east England in the early hours of Sunday. The tv personality was battling cancer.

The TV personality was diagnosed with cancer while appearing on India’s reality show Big Boss last August (08), and underwent an emergency hysterectomy. She bravely battled the illness by undergoing chemotherapy, subsequently showcasing her pain and hair loss on TV in reality show Living with Jade Goody. Her cancer spread to her liver, groin, and bowel and she was told earlier this year (09) that her chances of survival had been dramatically reduced. Just days later, doctors gave Goody the devastating news that there was nothing more they could do, and she only had months to live.

After her death was announced, Goody’s mother Jackiey Budden said: “My beautiful daughter is at peace.”

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45-year-old actress Natasha Richardson passed away Wednesday evening at New York City’s Lenox Hill Hospital following a skiing accident, which resulted in a head injury. The famed actress had been on life support for the past few days and removed her from said life support early this afternoon.

“Liam Neeson, his sons, and the entire family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Natasha,” Neeson’s rep tells Usmagazine.com in a statement. “They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone, and ask for privacy during this very difficult time.”

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Oscar-nominated actor John Travolta and his family suffered a major loss Friday, January 2nd 2009, when his teenage son died after a seizure while on a family vacation in the Bahamas. 16-year-old Jett Travolta, who had a history of seizures, had an episode on Friday morning. According to reports published by CNN, he died on the scene, and all attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.

According to sources, Jett was last seen going into the bathroom at the family’s private suite at the Old Behama Bay Resort. The caretaker, Jeff Michael Kathrein, discovered Jett’s body, and a police spokeswoman later confirmed that Jett hit his head in a bathtub.

Please keep the Travolta family in your thoughts and prayers at this obviously painful time. We here at Gossip On This offer our condolences.

According to People.com, rapper/producer Dr. Dre’s son, Andre Young Jr, apparently died of an heroin & morphine overdose. The drug test results had been pending for four months and it has now been confirmed by the LA County Coroner’s office on Friday.

“This case has been closed, it’s been ruled an accident due to morphine and heroin intoxication,” coroner spokesman Larry Dietz told People.

On the morning of August 23, 2008, Andre, 20, was found unresponsive by his mother in their home located in Woodland Hills, CA.  Paramedics pronounced Young dead at the scene. His mother Jenita Porter told investigators that her son had been out late that night with his friends and recalls hearing him snoring around 5:30 a.m.

Groundbreaking actress and the sultry singer of the stylishly sexy Christmas standard “Santa Baby,” Eartha Kitt, died on Christmas Day in New
York City, her publicist confirmed to CNN. Kitt, 81, had been treated for colon cancer. Her daughter Kitt Shapiro was by her side at the time of her death.

Known primarily for singing in her distinctively raspy voice and purring like a cat as Catwoman on the ’60s TV series Batman, Kitt was a star of stage, the small and big screen and music. She was nominated for three Tony awards, two Grammy awards and two Emmys, according to her official Web site. A performer to the very end, Kitt taped a PBS special in Chicago six weeks ago that is set to air in February, CNN reports.

[ SOURCE ]

“One thing about Breed is he had that flow, that rhythm,” he said. “He knew how to flow with it.” Breed recorded 13 albums, including releasing one record per year between 1991 and 2001. His final album, “The New Prescription,” was released in 2004. His first album, “MC Breed & DFC,” was estimated to have sold 2.5 million to 4 million records. He had worked with the likes of the late Tupac Shakur and Warren G. “He was the first national rapper from Flint,” McWright said.

Breed moved to Atlanta several years ago, but made frequent trips to Flint, McWright said. McWright said Breed was always respectful and always made it a point to stick his head into McWright’s music store. “When he was 15 or 16 he would always come into the store and buy stuff,” he said. “We would always shoot the breeze.” McWright said friends and family have come into the store and reminisced about his life. Breed’s hit “Ain’t No Future in Yo’ Frontin’” talked about being yourself and not acting like someone you are not.

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PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

Dreamgirl Jennifer Hudson paid her final respects to her mother, her brother, and her nephew yesterday at a private funeral service in Chicago. But she wasn’t there alone. According to the Chicago Tribune, the singer had the support of over 2,500 mourners, including fellow celebrities Fantasia Barrino, Oprah Winfrey, Usher, Missy Elliot, and more.

The day began with the estimated 2,500 mourners filing past the open caskets of her mother, Darnell Donerson; her brother, Jason; and her nephew, Julian King. Shortly before the funeral service commenced at Apostolic Church of God on the South Side, Hudson rose from her second-row pew and spent a few moments with each family member, attendees said. She went first to Julian, 7, who was dressed in white to match his casket.

She then moved to her mother, the matriarch who encouraged her to try out for “American Idol” and wouldn’t leave her Englewood home despite her younger daughter’s fame. The actress lingered at her mother’s light pink casket and gently touched Donerson before leaning down to kiss her goodbye.

Hudson paused at her brother’s blue casket before returning to her seat, where she joined her fiance, reality-TV star David “Punk” Otunga, and her sister, Julia. Hudson’s composure amid the heartbreaking goodbye became the day’s defining moment for many mourners.

“Jennifer is the pillar,” family friend Glover Lewis said as he left the Woodlawn church. “It’s obvious she’s holding the family together.”

Click here to read more.

Barack Obama’s grandmother, Madelyn Payne Dunha, passed away last night. The news comes just one day before the 2008 elections in which her grandson is favored to win. Barack made a joint statement with his sister today regarding the death of his grandmother while campaigning in Charlotte, N.C.

“It is with great sadness that we announce that our grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, has died peacefully after a battle with cancer. She was the cornerstone of our family, and a woman of extraordinary accomplishment, strength and humility. She was the person who encouraged and allowed us to take chances. She was proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and left this world with the knowledge that her impact on all of us was meaningful and enduring. Our debt to her is beyond measure.

“Our family wants to thank all of those who sent flowers, cards, well-wishes and prayers during this difficult time. It brought our grandmother and us great comfort. Our grandmother was a private woman, and we will respect her wish for a small private ceremony to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a donation to any worthy organization in search of a cure for cancer.”

We here at Gossip On This ask that you keep his family in your thoughts and prayers. It is so sad that his grandmother will not be able to see her grandson make history.

According to Billboard, Def Jam Vice President Shakir Stewart was reportedly found dead in his Atlanta home Saturday. Reports are suggesting that the record executive committed suicide, but at this moment, no further details are available.

“L.A. Reid and all of us at Island Def Jam Music Group are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend and colleague Shakir Stewart,” read a statement sent from the label today. “Shakir was an amazing man in every sense of the word. A truly incredible friend and father who was an inspiration to not only our artists and employees, but to his family and the many people that had the privilege of counting him as a friend. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family at this very difficult time.”

Stewart succeeded Jay-Z at the top of the Def Jam ladder in June and also retained his duties as senior VP of A&R at Island Def Jam. The Oakland, Calif., native signed such artists as Rick Ross, Young Jeezy and newcomer Karina Pasian. Stewart cut his teeth as a music executive at Hitco Music Publishing, where he was creative director and later senior VP of creative/GM and signed Beyonce Knowles. Even before he gained a rep for promoting rap concerts during his Morehouse College days, Stewart was “the guy who was the head of passing out fliers at seven clubs a night, seven days a week in 20-degree weather,” he told Billboard this summer.

Stewart said at the time it was his goal to help develop “new, young executives … The hot executive who’s 21, 22 years old and has a serious passion for music and the desire to work 27 hours a day. That’s where I was at that time in my life. And that’s who I’m looking to mentor. I don’t see many people like that. Instead, I see a lot of kids who want to live the lifestyle but don’t want to put in the work and do what it takes.”

We here at Gossip On This ask that you keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

In what has turned out to be a complete nightmare for Dreamgirl Jennifer Hudson and her sister, Julia Hudson, more bad news has come about. According to Chicago Breaking News, the body of Jennifer Hudson’s 7-year-old nephew Julian was discovered early this morning inside of a white Chevrolet Suburban on the west side of Chicago. Authorities had been searching for the boy since Friday, when his grandmother and uncle were shot and killed in a home on the south side of Chicago.

We here at Gossiponthis.com were hoping for a much happier ending in this story, but unfortunately for us, this world has become a cruel place to live in. People these days are just SICK! The person responsible for these three murders needs to be found so that justice can be served. Keep this family in your thoughts and prayers, now more than ever.

PHOTOS: GETTY

LEFT: A memorial has been built outside the home of 57-year-old Darnell Hudson Donerson, the mother of Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson in Chicago, Illinois. Donerson was found shot to death in her living room yesterday and her son Jason was found shot to death in a bedroom of the home. Police are searching for Donerson’s seven-year-old grandchild who is missing from the home.

RIGHT: Julia Hudson, the sister of Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, stands with Greg King, the father of her seven-year-old son Julian, as they plead for Julian’s safe return during a press conference at Pleasant Gift Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois. Julia Hudson returned home on Friday to find her mother 57-year-old Darnell Hudson Donerson, and her brother Jason shot to death and her son missing.

At this point, all everyone is asking is that Julian is safe and sound and will be reunited with his family shortly. This family really needs everyone’s prayers at this point.

PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

Some devastating news hit the web this afternoon. Dreamgirls star Jennifer Hudson’s mother and brother were found dead in a home on the South Side of Chicago earlier today. Police have marked the home a crime scene and suspect that the deaths were the result of a domestic dispute.

Public records show the address listed to a Jennifer Hudson and Darnell Donerson, the name of the singer’s mother. Police tape blocked access to the large, white house, where a crowd gathered outside.

Authorities issued an Amber Alert for 7-year-old Julian King, and were seeking a 1994 white Chevrolet Suburban. The child was the grandson of the female victim, Patterson said, and Bond added the boy could also be a relative of Hudson.

The alert said the child was possibly abducted, and accompanied by a man — considered armed and dangerous — who was a suspect in the double homicide investigation. The two could also be in a teal or green Chrysler Concord with a temporary license plate, a left front headlight hanging out and scratches on the left side of the vehicle, police said.

A publicist for Hudson at her record label said she was not aware of any incident involving Hudson’s mother. She did not immediately return subsequent messages. An e-mail sent to Hudson’s personal publicist was not immediately returned.

SOURCE

On behalf of Gossiponthis.com, I would like to offer my condolences to the Hudson family at this obviously difficult time. Please keep them all in your prayers as this story develops…

UPDATE [11:45 PM EST]: TMZ is reporting that Jennifer Hudson’s sister, Julia (pictured above), is missing! She works as a bus driver and her employer told the site that Julia worked her shift today, but hasn’t been scene since. This is beyond crazy!

UPDATE [12:59 AM EST - SAT.OCT.25]: According to MTV, a suspect has been determined and has subsequently been arrested! The suspect is said to be William Balfour, a man involved with Hudson’s sister, and apparently the father of the missing boy.

All Hip Hop is reporting that Dr. Dre’s son, Andre Young Jr., was found dead in his home over the weekend:

Dr. Dre’s son has reportedly died, according to the Los Angeles County Coroner. The body of Andre Young Jr. was found in his Woodland Hills home on Saturday morning, says a report in the L.A Weekly. Andre Young Jr. was only 20.

Young went out on Friday night and came in about 5:30 A.M., but his mother found him unresponsive when she checked on him at 10 in the morning. She called 911 immediately.

The cause of death will be revealed after a toxicology report. Andre Young Sr., professionally known as Dr. Dre, has not released a statement on the death of his son.

Dr. Dre is currently working on his final album, Detox.

On behalf of Think2Wice, I would like to express my condolences to Dr. Dre and his family at this obviously painful time.

The memory of comedian/actor Bernie Mac was honored yesterday at a public memorial service in Chicago. According to the Chicago Tribune, over 7,000 people packed into Chicago’s “House of Hope” and celebrated the memory of the Chicago native, who died last week from complications from pneumonia. Comedians Cedric the Entertainer, Steve Harvey and D.L. Hughley spoke at the service. Other celebs who spoke at the service included: Samuel L. Jackson, Jeremy Suaraz (The Bernie Mac show) and Rev. Jesse Jackson.

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Soul singer and actor Isaac Hayes has died, according to CNN. Relatives found the 65-year-old Grammy & Academy Award winner unconscious in his home next to a still-running treadmill, said Steve Shular, a spokesman for the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department. Paramedics made attempts to revive him and took him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after 2 p.m., the sheriff’s department said. No foul play is suspected.

Isaac Hayes, who is most known for writing the popular theme song to “Shaft,” co-starred alongside Bernie Mac in a new movie titled “Soul Men.” Bernie Mac passed away from pneumonia over Saturday morning.

On behalf of everyone involved with T2W, I would like to express my condolences to the family of Isaac Hayes. Another legend has gone on. He will be missed.

Comedian Bernie Mac died early this morning at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago at the age of 50. Although the cause of death was not disclosed, Bernie Mac had been hospitalized recently for pneumonia.

“Actor/comedian Bernie Mac passed away this morning from complications due to pneumonia in a Chicago area hospital,” his publicist, Danica Smith, said in a statement from Los Angeles.

The comedian suffered from sarcoidosis, an inflammatory lung disease that produces tiny lumps of cells in the body’s organs, but had said the condition went into remission in 2005. He recently was hospitalized and treated for pneumonia, which his publicist said was not related to the disease.

All of us here at T2W would like to express our condolences to the family of Bernie Mac. He will be missed.

The Baltimore Sun is reporting that a popular area DJ by the name of K-Swift died early this morning after a pool accident at her home. She was only 29 years old. While a definite cause of death hasn’t been determined, an autopsy is planned.

According to a preliminary police investigation, Khia “K-Swift” Edgerton, who lived in the 4300 block of Arizona Ave. in Northeast Baltimore, had been hosting a party at her house through Sunday evening and into early this morning. Police investigators believe she may have been drinking, said agent Donny Moses, a Baltimore police spokesman.

During the party early this morning, she jumped into her above-ground pool with several other people, but didn’t resurface. About six or seven other people were in the pool, which was about 4 or 5 feet deep, during the time she had jumped in. After an unspecified period of time, her friends pulled her onto a metal-frame deck that adjoined the pool, and called 911.

When paramedics arrived, they discovered that Edgerton was breathing “very shallow and her pulse was weak,” Moses said. She was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital where she was pronounced dead soon after her arrival.

[ CLICK HERE FOR MORE » ]

It seems like the entertainment industry has seen a new death, one after another, for the past month or so. Crazy stuff… TMZ is reporting that Ike Turner died in his San Marcos, California home. Sources tell the popular website that he may have died in his sleep. R.I.P. Ike

Ike was recently in the news (back in May) when he was arrested on some charges from the 1980’s. We posted a video a while back of him talking to TMZ about how it all went down.

Another tragic loss hit the entertainment industry today when UGK member Pimp C was found dead in an upscale LA apartment. He was 33 years old. Here’s a statement released from Jive Records:

It is with great sadness that Jive Records announces the passing of Chad “Pimp C” Butler, a member of the celebrated rap duo UGK (Underground Kingz). Jive Records’ President and CEO Barry Weiss states: “We mourn the unexpected loss of Chad. He was truly a thoughtful and kind-hearted person. He will be remembered for his talent and profound influence as a pioneer in bringing southern rap to the forefront. He will be missed and our prayers remain with his family and Bun B. I’ve known Chad since he was 18, and we loved him dearly and he was a cherished member of the Jive family.”

Born in Port Arthur, Texas, Butler’s father was a trumpet player who played professionally with Solomon Burke. Outside of his father, the 33-year old rapper’s influences varied, ranging from Bobby Bland, Jimmy McGriff, the 1960’s Motown artists to Run DMC. Butler met his inseparable partner Bernard “Bun B” Freeman in high school where they formed UGK. In 1992, the duo signed to Jive Records and went on release a total of eight albums for the label. They earned their highest achievement earlier this year when their most recent album, UGK (Underground Kingz), debuted in the number one position on the album pop chart. According to the New York Times, UGK “helped inspire a generation of Southern hip-hop stars, from Outkast to Lil Wayne.”

Bun B is not available for comment at this time.

To a mainstream audience, Pimp C was best known for UGK’s cameo on the Jay-Z hit “Big Pimpin’,” and for “Free Pimp C” T-shirts and shout-outs, ubiquitous in rap several years ago while he was jailed on gun charges. On Tuesday, his MySpace page had been changed to read: “C the Pimp is FREE at last.”

Born Chad Butler, Pimp C was found dead in a room at the Mondrian hotel, a longtime music industry hangout not far from the House of Blues on Sunset Strip, where he had performed on Saturday night alongside rap veteran Too $hort. Capt. Ed Winter of the Los Angeles County coroner’s office said Butler had apparently died while in bed in his hotel room.

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Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor died on Nov. 27, a day after he was shot at home. He was 24. Miami-Dade Police are investigating the attack, which came just eight days after an intruder was reported at Taylor’s home. An All-American at the University of Miami, Taylor was drafted by the Redskins as the fifth overall selection in 2004.

Pro Bowl safety Sean Taylor died Tuesday after he was shot in his home by an apparent intruder, leaving the Washington Redskins in mourning for a teammate who seemed to have reordered his life since becoming a father. The 24-year-old player died at Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he had been airlifted after the shooting early Monday. “It is with deep regret that a young man had to come to his end so soon,” father Pedro Taylor said in a statement on behalf of the family. “Many of his fans loved him because the way he played football. Many of his opponents feared him the way he approached the game. Others misunderstood him, many appreciated him and his family loved him.”

A string of mourners, including Taylor’s father, visited the player’s home and embraced outside. Authorities entered the home, but it was unclear what they were doing. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the league will honor Taylor’s memory at all games this weekend. “This is a terrible tragedy involving the loss of a young man who leaves behind many people struggling to understand it,” he said in a statement. Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said what he would remember most about Taylor was his excitement about playing football.

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Donda West, the mother of Kanye West and former chairwoman of Chicago State University’s English department, passed away Saturday from undisclosed causes, according to a spokesman for the family. She was 58. According to multiple sources, West was in Los Angeles and her death may have been the result of complications from a surgical procedure; more specific information was unavailable at press time. Although widely known as the mother of Kanye, Dr. West was a noted scholar and an active college professor for 31 years; she left the profession in 2004 to assist with Kanye’s career, according to her biography on the Web site of the Kanye West Foundation, an educational nonprofit of which she was chair. She was also chief executive of West Brands, the parent company of her son’s businesses. She began her teaching career in the early 1970s at Brown College in Atlanta and began working at Chicago State University in 1980, according to the site; she was also a Fulbright Scholar, among other awards. Dr. West raised Kanye in the Chicago area along with her husband, from whom she separated when Kanye was 3.

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The oldest child of civil rights leader the Reverend Martin Luther King Junior has died. Steve Klein, a spokesman for the King Center, says Yolanda Denise King died Tuesday night in Santa Monica, California at the age of 51. Klein says the family does not yet know the cause of death but thinks it might have been a heart problem. King was born in 1955 in Montgomery, Alabama, and was just an infant when her home was bombed during the turbulent civil rights era. As an actress, she has appeared in numerous films and even played Rosa Parks in the 1978 miniseries “King.” She also appeared in “Ghosts of Mississippi” and founded a production company called Higher Ground Productions. She was also an author and advocate for peace and nonviolence.

She is survived by her sister, the Reverend Bernice King; two brothers, Martin Luther King III and Dexter Scott King; and an extended family. The family says in a statement that arrangements will be announced later. Her death comes more than a year after the death of her mother, Coretta Scott King, who died on January 30, 2006, of complications from ovarian cancer diagnosed after she had a stroke and mild heart attack last fall. She is buried near Martin Luther King Jr., on Auburn Avenue, the street where her husband was born and where he preached. In 2005, the King siblings were at odds about the sale of the King Center to the National Park Service. Yolanda King and brother Dexter voted in favor of pursuing the sale. Martin Luther King III and Bernice King vowed to fight the sale. Martin Luther King III said at the time that he had been removed as chief executive officer and Bernice removed as secretary of the board of directors earlier that year by a board he says was appointed by Dexter King, the board chairman.

Our thoughts, prayers, and condolences go out to the family at this time.

Before becoming an actor, he had taught literature and French at Lincoln University, and was an award-winning track star. As an actor, he was noted for his “rich voice and dignified bearing.” Film and TV work included “Will and Grace,” “Law and Order,” “The Shield,” Babe: Pig in the City and Babe, Judas Kiss, The Mambo Kings, “Falcon Crest,” “The Cosby Show” (for which he won an Emmy Award), “Soap,” “All in the Family,” and many more.

- Story obtained from http://www.broadwayworld.com

Anna Nicole Smith, the former Playboy playmate whose bizarre life careened from marrying an octogenarian billionaire to the untimely death of her son, died Thursday after collapsing in a Florida hotel room, one of her lawyers said. Smith, 39, collapsed and was unresponsive while staying at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, said the attorney, Ron Rale. Edwina Johnson, chief investigator of the Broward County Medical Examiner’s Office, said the cause of death was under investigation and an autopsy would be done on Friday. A private nurse called 911 after finding Smith unresponsive in her sixth-floor room, said Seminole Police Chief Charlie Tiger. He said Smith’s bodyguard administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation about an hour before she was declared dead at 2:49 p.m.

“She checked in Monday at 8 p.m. as a guest. She was due to check out tomorrow,” said Danielle Giordaano, a spokeswoman for the hotel.

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I know I said I wouldn’t be making any updates or anything until the 26th or 27th, but I think this is important enough for you guys to know before then… James Brown, best known as “The Godfather of Soul,” passed away in an Atlanta, Georgia hospital this morning. He was 73 years old.

James Brown, the dynamic, pompadoured ”Godfather of Soul,” whose rasping vocals and revolutionary rhythms made him a founder of rap, funk and disco as well, died early Monday, his agent said. He was 73. Brown was hospitalized with pneumonia at Emory Crawford Long Hospital on Sunday and died around 1:45 a.m. Monday, said his agent, Frank Copsidas of Intrigue Music. Longtime friend Charles Bobbit was by his side, he said. Copsidas said the cause of death was uncertain. “We really don’t know at this point what he died of,” he said.

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]]> http://gossiponthis.com/2006/12/25/james-brown-passes-at-age-73/feed/ 1 http://gossiponthis.com/2006/11/22/stars-celebrate-life-at-gerald-leverts-funeral/ http://gossiponthis.com/2006/11/22/stars-celebrate-life-at-gerald-leverts-funeral/#comments Wed, 22 Nov 2006 05:30:28 +0000 Dustin http://www.gossiponthis.com/mainer.php/archives/2006/11/stars-celebrate-life-at-gerald-leverts-funeral.html Stevie Wonder, Usher, Jermaine Dupri and Angela Winbush were among the thousands of celebrities, fans and family members at Cleveland’s Public Hall facility Friday to attend a musical tribute to R&B singer Gerald Levert, who died Nov. 10. Standing in front of a huge framed picture of the late artist, Wonder joined Levert’s father, Eddie Levert of the O’Jays, and Levert’s brother, Sean, to lead the audience in a spirited, energy-filled mixture of memories, music and good ol’ fashioned church fervor.

“You all really don’t know how big his heart was,” said Eddie Levert, who joined Sean to sing a touching rendition of Luther Vandross’ “Dance With My Father.” Both father and brother personalized the words for Gerald. Sean joined Keith Sweat and Johnny Gill, his brother Gerald’s partners in the group LSG, to perform Levert’s biggest hit “Casanova.” Eddie Levert kissed his son’s framed picture at the end of the performance. Elder Levert said performing was Gerald’s great love. “That came from his heart, his soul, his whole body,” the father said. Wonder, who clasped Eddie Levert’s hand, said he was thankful for Gerald’s gifts. “I’m here for you, Gerald, because I love you,” said Wonder. “I’m here to celebrate my love.”

Usher told the audience: “When I came here, I expected to mourn.��? Instead, he said: “I actually cried tears of joy.” Speaking with reporters before the service, Usher said Levert was always willing to encourage up-and-coming talent. “He was like an uncle or a brother.” (See video footage of Usher’s interview below the break.)

Journalist Ed Gordon also attended the service, which lasted about three hours and featured Judge Greg Mathis as the main eulogis. To see/download the program from Gerald’s memorial service, Click Here. Levert died at his suburban Cleveland home at 40. A preliminary autopsy showed he had heart disease.

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