SF man dies after taking kratom-like ‘gas station heroin’ as cops descend on smoke shops

SF man dies after taking kratom-like ‘gas station heroin’ as cops descend on smoke shops

A potent kratom-derived opioid known as MGM-15 is beginning to hit San Francisco with the first death reported Wednesday — just as police launched a crackdown on smoke shops selling kratom and other addictive drugs. The San Francisco Department of Health issued a health alert about the opioid, saying in a news release that “ingesting … Read more

‘Ghoulish’ wedding venue keeps $16K booking fee after groom dies — then countersues grieving widow

‘Ghoulish’ wedding venue keeps K booking fee after groom dies — then countersues grieving widow

This Texas wedding venue’s non-refundable policy goes way beyond “’til death do us part.” Posey Meadows, a wedding hall in San Marcos, Texas, is under fire after refusing to refund a grieving bride whose fiancé tragically died just months before their big day — and then slapping her with a lawsuit. Diego Hernandez, 25, died suddenly … Read more

12-year-old girl dies from drinking milkshake after cafe’s careless mistake

12-year-old girl dies from drinking milkshake after cafe’s careless mistake

Mia Shay St Hilaire was visiting a cafe in London with her aunt and sister when she ordered the Twix milkshake that would take her life. The 12-year-old shouldn’t have been allergic to the drink. But after having some, she “developed rapidly progressing anaphylaxis,” a reaction that affects multiple body systems at once, a coroner’s … Read more

Fourth Floridian dies from flesh-eating bacteria tied to raw or undercooked oysters

Fourth Floridian dies from flesh-eating bacteria tied to raw or undercooked oysters

A fourth person in Florida has died after contracting flesh-eating bacteria commonly linked to consuming raw or undercooked oysters, health officials said. The death was included Thursday in the Florida Department of Health’s updated fatality count for the deadly flesh-eating bacterium Vibrio vulnificus. The individual was from Broward County and between the ages of 75 and … Read more

Pennsylvania woman dies from measles complications — third virus-related death in the state this year

Pennsylvania woman dies from measles complications — third virus-related death in the state this year

A Pennsylvania woman has died from complications associated with measles, the third death in the state this year involving the virus. The 40-year-old woman died Saturday, Jefferson County Coroner Greg Furlong said in a Facebook post in which he called the death “measles-related.” The post did not identify the woman other than as a resident … Read more

Napa Valley wine legend who made merlot a global icon dies

Napa Valley wine legend who made merlot a global icon dies

Napa Valley has lost a true icon with the passing of Tom Rinaldi — a winemaker whose career spanned five legendary decades. As Duckhorn’s founding winemaker, Rinaldi, 77, devoted 22 years to building its enduring legacy. At a time when merlot was mostly used in blends, he crafted the first Three Palms Merlot, catapulting Duckhorn … Read more

Tucker Budzyn, viral Golden Retriever sensation, dies at 8 after cancer diagnosis

Tucker Budzyn, viral Golden Retriever sensation, dies at 8 after cancer diagnosis

Tucker Budzyn, the Michigan-based golden retriever who became one of the internet’s biggest canine stars, has died after a short battle with cancer. He was 8. Tucker’s owner, Courtney Budzyn, revealed that her beloved pooch died on Wednesday — less than a week after she shared he had been diagnosed with lymphoma. “I thought that … Read more

Inside Tim Curry’s stroke that left him paralyzed and struggling to speak — as actor dies at 80

Legendary actor Tim Curry, known for playing unforgettable oddballs like Dr. Frank-N-Furter in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” died late Tuesday at his Los Angeles home at age 80 No foul play is suspected, law enforcement sources told TMZ, which broke the news Wednesday. Curry’s official cause of death has not been revealed. The Emmy … Read more

Dolly Parton’s health battles — as icon dies at 80

Beloved American icon and country music legend Dolly Parton is dead at 80. Her family announced the devastating news in a video posted to Instagram Tuesday. “Hey everyone, my name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton and I am representing the Parton and Owens family today, announcing the passing of my Aunt Dolly Rebecca … Read more

Fitness coach dies after collapsing during high-intensity endurance competition

The global fitness community is in mourning following the sudden death of a well-known gym owner and trainer who collapsed during a high-intensity endurance competition in Thailand. Leroy Saunders, a 41-year-old South African-born fitness coach based in Bangkok, tragically died after losing consciousness while competing at the BYD HYROX Bangkok event, which he ran from August 13 … Read more

Hayden Panettiere’s battle with addiction as actress dies at 36

Hayden Panettiere had shared candid details of the toll that addiction took on her health before her death on Sunday at age 36. No official cause of death has been named for the “Nashville” star, but in recent years she reflected on her battle with addiction to alcohol and opioids. At one point, it grew … Read more

TikTok influencer Sydney Towle, 26, dies after 3-year battle with rare cancer: ‘She fought really hard’

TikTok influencer Sydney Towle, 26, dies after 3-year battle with rare cancer: ‘She fought really hard’

Sydney Towle’s family have revealed the 26-year-old influencer has passed away after entering hospice care. Her death comes after a three-year-long battle with a rare bile duct cancer. Her brother, Austin Towle, and mother, Elizabeth Marrow, reflected on her strength throughout her health journey in a recent TikTok video. “Hi everybody, we just wanted to let … Read more

6-year-old girl dies after parents paid $860K for experimental therapy that ‘shouldn’t have gone to trial’

6-year-old girl dies after parents paid 0K for experimental therapy that ‘shouldn’t have gone to trial’

In an effort to treat their daughter’s genetic developmental disorder, parents in China paid respected researchers millions in Chinese yuan, a total of $860,000 USD, for a new treatment that had never been used in humans. But instead of celebrating advances in her writing and language skills, the family is mourning the loss of their … Read more

Chuck Russell, director of ‘The Mask’ and ‘Scorpion King’ — dies unexpectedly at 74

Chuck Russell, director of ‘The Mask’ and ‘Scorpion King’ — dies unexpectedly at 74

The Hollywood filmmaking community is in mourning, with the sudden loss of director Chuck Russell, who died on Wednesday at 74. The filmmaker died unexpectedly at his home in the San Diego area, his family told TMZ, which also reported that the local fire department responded to a call at his address. The Wednesday afternoon … Read more

What really happens when a language dies

What really happens when a language dies

Sophia Smith Galer first understood language loss as a sound coming from upstairs. Her 93-year-old nonna was in bed in north London, speaking al dialët, the family’s regional language from northern Italy, with Galer’s mother. Galer could understand much of it, but she couldn’t answer in it. “I remember going home afterwards and feeling real … Read more

Scary Mommy founder dies at 48 of brain cancer she once described as ‘octopus with tentacles’

Scary Mommy founder dies at 48 of brain cancer she once described as ‘octopus with tentacles’

New York Times bestselling author and founder of the popular Scary Mommy blog Jill Smokler died Monday of brain cancer. Smokler, a mom of three, was 48. She made a name for herself with unflinching honesty about the realities of marriage and parenting, and developed one of the biggest parenting blogs as the genre was … Read more

5-year-old dies of common infection after hospital said there was ‘nothing they could do’

5-year-old dies of common infection after hospital said there was ‘nothing they could do’

A 5-year-old boy from the UK died barely one day after being sent home from the hospital. Before going to Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth, Jax Jefferys was coughing and drowsy, and then developed a fever and red rash a couple of days later. Doctors initially diagnosed Jax with the flu and sent him home … Read more

The super common disease that keeps killing your favorite stars — as Buffy’s Anthony Head dies at 72

The super common disease that keeps killing your favorite stars — as Buffy’s Anthony Head dies at 72

Anthony Head — best known for his roles in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Ted Lasso” — has died at the age of 72. “He passed away peacefully of complications due to pneumonia, surrounded by his family,” the British actor’s daughters, Emily and Daisy Head, said in a statement on Friday. “We know how dearly … Read more

Wellness coach, 40, dies after ‘detox’ ritual involving ‘toad vaccine’ — months after beating cancer

Wellness coach, 40, dies after ‘detox’ ritual involving ‘toad vaccine’ — months after beating cancer

A “cleansing” ceremony involving the poisonous skin of an Amazonian frog is believed to be the cause of death for a wellness coach — mere months after he beat cancer. After recovering from Burkitt lymphoma, an aggressive type of blood cancer, Kristian Trend became immersed in holistic wellness. But his participation in a dangerous “detox” … Read more

Barrie Tomlinson, editor of famed British comic Roy of the Rover, dies at 88

Barrie Tomlinson, editor of famed British comic Roy of the Rover, dies at 88

Tributes have been paid to the influential editor of classic British football comic Roy of the Rovers following his death. Barrie Tomlinson died aged 88 on Tuesday, earlier this week, his daughter Jennifer confirmed. Posting from legendary comics X account, she said: “Hi everyone, this is Jen, Barrie’s daughter. “I’m very sorry to share the … Read more