R.I.P: Chris Lighty Announced Dead From Suicide

Hip-hop mogul Chris Lighty died Thursday morning after apparently shooting himself in the head in his Bronx apartment, sources told the Daily News.
Lighty, 44 — a longtime manager of 50 Cent, Diddy, Ja Rule and Mariah Carey — was found dead inside his South Riverdale apartment about 11:30 a.m., police sources said.
It appeared he died from a bullet to his head, sources said. A gun was recovered next to his body.
Law enforcement sources said Lighty — who divorced his wife, Veronica, last year — may have been dealing with financial struggles, including owing about $5 million to the IRS.

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Ray J Misses Whitney Houston, Releases Statement on Singer's Passing

For the first time since the death of Whitney Houston, the man who most recently dated this legendary singer has spoken out.

In a just-released statement, Ray J says: "Over the past few days, I've tried to process the emptiness that I am experiencing. What my heart feels cannot be expressed in words. The world lost an icon, but I lost my close friend."

Ray J and Whitney had been together for a few months prior to her passing, and were spotted out in Los Angeles about a week before she died. Sources say Ray raced to the Beverly Hills Hilton as soon as the tragic news broke.

"Nippy, I miss you so much!" Ray J added, using a nickname given to Whitney by her father. "You were so happy and full of love. Your smile will live in my heart forever."

[Photos: WENN.com]

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RIP Whitney Houston- Tribute

RIP TO AN R&B LEGEND

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Whitney Houston Death May Have Been Caused By Prescription Drug Overdose, Drowning

Prescription drugs were present at the scene of Whitney Houston's tragic death, and it's possible the star drowned in the bathtub, according to reports.

No illegal drugs have been found in the hotel room where a member of the legendary singer's entourage found Whitney Houston dead on Saturday.

When EMTs arrived, Whitney's body was already removed from the bathtub.

It will take an autopsy to determine if she overdosed, drowned or died from some other cause. The medical examination is scheduled to take place imminently.

Beverly Hills police officers found various pill bottles in Houston's room at the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel, where she died yesterday at the age of 48.

There was no evidence that Whitney was drinking alcohol in the room.

Houston's body was removed from the room on a gurney and sent to the morgue for an autopsy to determine the official medical cause of death.

Paramedics performed CPR on the singer when alerted to her unresponsiveness but it did not work. She was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m.

Our sources say there were no obvious signs of foul play, but a full investigation is ongoing. Whitney's body was ID'ed by family and friends.

[Photo: WENN.com]

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Whitney Houston Dead at 48

Whitney Houston, one of the most successful female artists of all-time, died at the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel today. She was 48.

The singer's rep confirmed the news this evening to The Associate Press, with insiders saying a member of Houston's entourage discovered her body late in the afternoon; a hotel employee called 911; and paramedics arrived to find Whitney unresponsive.

She was pronounced dead at 3:55 local time.

Beverly Hill Police Lt. Mark Rosen said there was "no obvious signs of criminal intent," though no cause of death has been determined and detectives have already started a full investigation.

Houston leaves behind a daughter, Bobbi Kristina.

The two-time Emmy and six-time Grammy Award winner sold over 200 million albums worldwide. She had battled alcohol and drug addiction - last seeking treatment in early 2011 - for many years prior to her death and was spotted out twice in Los Angeles over the last week, first with occasional boyfriend Ray J and then with a pal on Thursday night.

Whitney was staying at the hotel in anticipation of Clive Davis' annual pre-Grammy party, which was scheduled to take place there last that night.

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Don Cornelius, Soul Train Creator, Dead at 75

Don Cornelius, the creator of Soul Train, was found dead this morning inside his Sherman Oaks home. He was 75.

Authorities discovered the body around 4 a.m. local time and say Cornelius was killed by a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. An investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department is ongoing.

In 1970, Cornelius - who worked as a disc jockey in Chicago - premiered his R&B-themed dance show on station WCIU. It was moved into syndication the following year, eventually relocated its studio to Los Angeles and ran until 2006, although Cornelius dropped out as host in 1993.

The producer underwent a bitter divorce in 2009 and told a Los Angeles judge he was experiencing “significant health issues" at the time.

Our thoughts go out to Cornelius' family and loved ones.

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Joe Paterno Dies of Lung Cancer

Former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno - the all-time Division I leader in wins who resigned amid the university's child molestation scandal just a few months ago - has passed away due to complications from lung cancer. He was 85.

On Saturday, as friends and family were being summoned to State College, Pa., hospital, a family spokesman said the coach had taken a turn for the worse.

Then, on Sunday morning around 10 a.m. EST, the family confirmed the legendary coach's passing via the following statement:

It is with great sadness that we announce that Joe Paterno passed away earlier today. His loss leaves a void in our lives that will never be filled. He died as he lived. He fought hard until the end, stayed positive, thought only of others and constantly reminded everyone of how blessed his life had been.

His ambitions were far reaching, but he never believed he had to leave this Happy Valley to achieve them. He was a man devoted to his family, his university, his players and his community.

Known for his "success with honor" motto, thick glasses, rolled-up pants and black cleats, Paterno left an indelible mark on Penn State and college football in general.

He is survived by his wife Sue, five children and 17 grandchildren.

A Brooklyn native and Brown University graduate, Paterno began coaching the Nittany Lions in 1966 and his tenure stretched to October of this year.

In his 46 years as head coach, Paterno holds the all-time Division I record for football coaching wins with a 409-136-3 record and two national titles.

After a highly celebrated career and iconic status, Paterno's career as coach ended as a result of a scandal involving former assistant Jerry Sandusky.

Sandusky allegedly sexually assaulted young boys, including a 10-year-old. Paterno was fired over his handling (or lack of handling) of the scandal.

Announcing his retirement, he said, “This is a tragedy. It is one of the great sorrows of my life. With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more."

"I'm sick about it. I didn’t know exactly how to handle it, and I was afraid to do something that might jeopardize what the university procedure was."

"So I backed away and turned it over to some other people, people I thought would have a little more expertise than I did. It didn’t work out that way."

In November, he was diagnosed with lung cancer and his health rapidly deteriorated.

Though the scandal sullied Paterno's image in his final days, the coach enjoyed decades of success and reverence on the campus he and his wife helped build.

That's not likely to change anytime soon. R.I.P.

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