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Tag: death

  • Avonte Oquendo: Teen Mourned After Tragic Loss

    On Saturday, Avonte Oquendo’s funeral was held, an end to a tragedy where many questions remain unanswered. The story began over three months ago, when on October 4th, the 14-year-old walked away from the Riverview School in Queens, NY and was never seen alive again.

    Oquendo was autistic and known for wandering away if not watched, which has since begged the question how it is that no one was monitoring him. Or even more startling, how long it took the school to inquire about his whereabout and involve police.

    “They knew that he runs away during transitions,” said David Perecman, who is the New York city lawyer that is representing Avonte Oquendo’s family. “Yet he managed to get off that line.”

    Perecman also points out that he had never heard of a school misplacing or losing a special needs child.

    “People lose their keys. People lose their wallet. Losing a child?”

    The lost child wasn’t found until three months after he first disappeared, his remains pulled from the East River.

    An especially terrible end as it was known that Oquendo was afraid of water.

    It is still unknown at present what happened to the missing teen after he vanished. Police are still investigating the matter of how he died. While there were reportedly no signs of foul play, his family noted that he was found in underwear that was too large for him. This leads them to believe that someone took him at some point.

    Regardless of whether or not Avonte Oquendo will turn out to be the victim of a murderer, his disappearance suggests that there was a lapse in attention and diligence by his school that wasted precious hours.

    Oquendo’s family filed a notice of claim in October, when he first went missing, and are planning a “wrongful death” lawsuit against the city.

    Though Oquendo will be laid to rest before questions are immediately answered, perhaps more will be learned in the coming weeks that can offer clarity and closure.

    Image via brainfoodvideos2

  • Thai Elephant Attack, Tourist Trampled To Death

    Authorities in Thailand continue their investigation into the death of a woman whose body was found by Thai park rangers on January 18th. The woman has since been identified as Lily Glidden of Freeville, NY. She was 24-years-old.

    Glidden was a 2012 graduate of Tufts University where she majored in Biology. She was known for her interest in animals and the outdoors.

    Representatives of Tufts University said the institution was, “saddened to learn of the death of Lily Glidden.”

    “We extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of this talented young woman.”

    Glidden was last seen at the campground in Kaeng Krachan National Park, located in the Phetchaburi province. Her body was found five days later.

    Given the severity of the injuries to her body, authorities in Thailand felt that elephants were likely responsible. Police Col. Woradet Suanklaai said that police felt that she had gone to look for elephants to photograph.

    “Looking at the pictures she took in her camera, we see a lot of animals, birds, snakes, lizards. We assumed she wanted to take pictures of elephants because that’s what the Kaeng Krachan National Park is famous for.”

    In a statement reported by NBC News, the family of Glidden said that she was, “very aware of the dangers of working with wildlife and not a person to court foolish risks, particularly where animals were involved.”

    Whether this statement implies the belief that foul play was involved has not been determined, though those who knew her do not believe she would take an encounter with an animal as unpredictable and potentially dangerous as an elephant lightly.

    Glidden was an experienced hiker and reportedly knew how to respond to chance encounters with dangerous animals. Says her family, “[Glidden had] an educated and dedicated respect for the natural world”.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Ryan Loskarn: Former Aide Dead, Suicide Likely

    Ryan Loskarn, the former senate aide to Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander, was found dead on Thursday.

    According to the Tennessean, a statement read by Colonel Phil Kasten of the Carroll County Sheriff’s office shared that, “Carroll County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a private residence in the 6900 block of Kenmar Lane for a report of an unconscious male, believed to be deceased. Family members reported finding 35 year old Jesse Ryan Loskarn unresponsive in his basement where he’d been residing with family since this past December.”

    Though the investigation into Loskarn’s death is ongoing, the preliminary investigation by law enforcement officials has lead them to believe that he committed suicide, as his body was found hanging in the basement. The body was transferred to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy that would determine the official cause of death.

    Loskarn had been residing with his parents in Maryland since having been released on his own recognizance. He had been arrested last month by U.S. Postal Service investigators during a federal raid on his Washington, D.C. home and charged with possessing and distributing child pornography. He was fired from his job the very same day.

    Federal prosecutors had argued against Loskarn’s release, saying that he was a potential suicide risk. This was countered by his lawyer, Pamela Satterfield, who felt her client would be vindicated, having no prior criminal record and possessing “deep ties” within the D.C. community.

    Loskarn’s parents, Chuck and Gay Loskarn, were “devastated” by the tragic turn of events. “We loved our son very much…Please respect our privacy at this difficult time and let us grieve in peace. Pray for him, his family and friends.”

    Loskarn’s former employer, Sen. Lamar Alexander said in a statement, “For everyone involved, this is a sad and tragic story from beginning to end.”

    Image via Chattanooga Youtube

  • Exorcism Leads to Death of Two Maryland Children

    Zakieya Latrice Avery, 28, and 21-year-old Monifa Sanford have been charged in the murder of two toddlers, which were brutally stabbed on Friday in an attempted exorcism.

    Two other young victims, ages five and eight, were also wounded but all four are said to be Avery’s children.

    Authorities found the children in a home located in Germantown following a 911 call from a nearby neighbor.

    The neighbor reported suspicious activities after noticing a stream of blood outside the house and a knife near a car door.

    When authorities arrived, the two women attempted to flee out the back door.(image)

    It is unknown why the crime was declared an exorcism, but police have reported that the women believed they were performing an exorcism.

    Two-year-old Zyana Harri and one-year-old Norell succumbed to multiple stab wounds. The other two victims are being hospitalized for their injuries.

    Both have been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder.(image)

    “Cases like this are heartbreaking. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victims,” Police Chief Tom Manager told CNN.

    Nearby neighbors like Michelle Smith are still in disbelief by the events that took place, because to many Avery seemed like a happy, normal single mother.

    “Shocked, but devastated at the same time because there’s kids involved and you hate to see or hear something happened to kids,” she said.

    Sadly enough, cases similar to this are not completely uncommon, but yet still bizarre.

    In June 2013, 30-year-old Eder Guzman-Rodriguez of Floyd County, Va., was charged with first-degree murder in the death of his daughter, which occurred in 2011.

    Guzman-Rodriguez too believed that his child was possessed by demons and tried to extract the evil spirits by ways of exorcism.

    Two-year-old Jocelyn suffered from abrasions and fractured ribs, but her cause of death was concluded to be asphyxiation.

    What is even creepier is that other friends were present during the event but were standing outside of the house holding Bibles.

    Guzman-Rodriguez, who is currently serving 20 years, is scheduled for deportation soon after his release.

    Images via Youtube

  • Shashi Tharoor Calls For Investigation of Wife’s Death

    Shashi Tharoor, the Union minister currently making headlines for his late wife’s sudden death, pledged his full cooperation on Sunday in the investigation of Sunanda Pushkar’s death.

    Pushkar, 52, was found dead in an upscale hotel room in New Delhi on Friday, two days after she publicly attacked Tharoor on Twitter for having an affair with Pakistani journalist Mehr Tarar. Both Tharoor and Tarar retaliated and strongly denied the rumor; it was later revealed that Pushkar herself went into Tharoor’s Twitter and posted those messages. According to the BBC, Ms Pushkar had told TV networks and journalists about the affair and was planning a divorce, and then quickly backtracked, agreeing in a joint statement that the two were “happily married and intended to stay that way,” and blamed “unauthorized tweets” for causing any confusion.

    Now Tharoor is calling for a quick investigation of his wife’s death, hoping the results will end all the rumors of their personal lives. “I have finally had a chance to catch up with media reports and am horrified to read the reckless speculation rampant there,” Tharoor wrote in a letter to Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde. “I pledge my full and unstinting cooperation. Nothing short of truth will end the indignity to which my wife and I are being subjected.”

    The doctors examining Pushkar’s body revealed in the autopsy report that the death was “sudden and unnatural,” and that the body showed injury marks, although it’s not certain that injury was the cause of death. There are also no signs of poison in the body, but further tests are still being conducted. Medical staff have said that full results will be released in the next two days.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Ruth Duccini: Second-to-last Surviving “OZ” Munchkin Dies at 95

    One of the original Munchkins of the 1939 film “Wizard of Oz” has passed away.

    At 95-years-old, Ruth Robinson Duccini died from natural causes on Thursday in Las Vegas’ Solari Hospice Care Center.

    Stephen Cox, the author of “The Munchkins of Oz” and an adamant follower of the film’s little people, confirmed her death.

    Duccini was born on July 23, 1918 in Rush City, Minn. Growing up she felt out of place and was never aware that there were other small people like her. However, everything changed for her after joining a dwarf entertainment company at the age of 20.

    At just 4-feet-tall, Duccini started her career as part of a little people company that eventually decided to travel to California to star in the magical film, “The Wizard of OZ.”

    Over the years she saw a lot of her close friends and film colleagues pass away, which was the most painful part of her experience as a Munchkin; especially when she would watch the film.

    However, she enjoyed being apart of such a timeless musical film.

    “It was long hours and heavy costumes. We didn’t have much time for ourselves. It was all new to me then, and I loved being a part of what is now a classic,” she once told Cox in a statement. (image)

    Although it was one of her most memorable achievements, it wasn’t what she believed to be her most honorable achievement.

    Duccini was also an aircraft riveter during World War II at Douglas Aircraft in Santa Monica. Her size became an asset during the war, allowing her to squeeze through tighter and smaller spaces that taller adults couldn’t do otherwise.

    “I’m very proud of my work during the war, maybe more proud of that than being in the movie,” she told Cox.

    Duccini was the last surviving female Munchkin, but one other male actor, 93-year-old Jerry Maren, still remains alive from the original casting crew of 124.

    She leaves behind her son, daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

    Here’s a very short interview with Duccini:

    Images via Youtube, Youtube

  • Accused Tampa Shooter Claims He Feared For His Life

    A day after being arrested for the fatal shooting of 43-year-old Chad Oulson, former police officer, Curtis Reeves is claiming he acted out of fear.

    The 71-year-old “had every right to defend himself” when hit with an unknown object, which witnesses claimed was theater popcorn. The defendant’s attorney stated in court today that the case against Reeves was “weak” and that it was the deceased victim that had been the aggressor. The hearing was reportedly standing-room only.

    Judge Lynn Tepper did not agree with Reeve’s attorney that the charges of second-degree murder was too harsh. In addition, his “ties to the community” also failed to convince her to release the suspect on bond.

    According to those present, Reeves had been in the theater with his wife and they were seated by behind Chad Oulson and his wife, Nicole. All were there to see the movie, “Lone Survivor”. While the previews were playing, Oulson was allegedly sending text messages to the babysitter who was with the couple’s three year old daughter. Reeves felt the texting to be disruptive and asked Oulson to stop. When Oulson refused, Reeves left momentarily.

    He returned, having allegedly gone to look for a theater employee. The two men argued about the texting and at some point a bag of popcorn was said to have been thrown. Witnesses say they aren’t sure who threw popcorn, only that shortly after, Reeves pulled out a gun and began to fire at Chad Oulson. Nicole Oulson was wounded when she attempted to shield her husband from the shooting. Reeves was detained by an off-duty police officer and nurses attempted to revive Oulson. The effort was unsuccessful, and Oulson died a short while later at the hospital.

    Multiple charges have been filed against Reeves, who it is believed will use a “stand your ground” defense.

    Do YOU feel that Reeves was right to carry a gun into a movie theater? Is this a case of “Stand Your Ground” or is it a flimsy attempt at defending an indefensible crime? Let us know in the comments.

    Image via Steve Finn

  • Progeria Illness Not All Sam Berns Taught Us About

    Many people have never heard of a rare genetic condition called Progeria or are even aware of the young lives it claims.

    Sam Berns became one of those young lives when he passed away on Friday. He was just seventeen years old.

    Berns was not, even until the end of his short life, fixated on the illness. He and his family learned what the condition meant for children like him when he was first diagnosed at 22 months old. Progeria causes a loss of body fat, hair to fall out, and joints to stiffen. The sufferer may suffer from heart conditions and or be vulnerable to strokes. In a sense, Progeria is known for it’s ability to age a child far beyond his or her years. Many do not live to the age of thirteen.

    Sam Berns’ parents, Leslie Gordon and Scott Berns, started the Progeria Research Foundation in 1999. Their work to find a cure for their son and children like him was featured in the HBO Documentary, “Life According to Sam”.

    The title was remarkably appropriate. Listening to Berns talk about himself, it is clear he was very much a young man who thought about living and not dying. He was concerned with what he could do rather than what he couldn’t.

    “I didn’t put myself in front of you to have you to feel bad for me. You don’t need to feel bad for me….because this is how…this is…I want you to get to know me. This is my life.” These words are spoken to us by Sam Berns in the documentary.

    He was not about negativity; Berns was about positive thinking. He didn’t feel the need for anyone to approach him to feel sorry for him or look at every single day of his life as a series of obstacles. He expanded on this in a brilliant TED talk that must be watched.

    What can we learn from Sam Berns? A great many things.

    In addition to helping shine a light on the rare condition that claimed his life, Berns has left us with a very strong and unforgettable impression. He has shown that life is a matter of quality, of achieving what you set your mind to, of happy moments spent with loved ones, and taking nothing for granted.

    Most of all, we should learn that there is no excuse to live a life of unfulfilled wishes and abandoned dreams that ends in regret. Sam Berns didn’t put his life in front of us with the expectation that we feel sad that he didn’t live as long as we have or will; he allowed us to know what it feels like to be indomitable to the point where even in the face of death, all you ever focus on is your happy life.

    Image via TedxTalks

  • Jason Berryman, Former Iowa State Player, Found Dead

    Ex-Iowa State Football Player Jason Thomas Berryman was found dead on Wednesday in his East Texas home.

    Succumbing to multiple gunshot wounds, the body of the 28-year-old former Cyclone player was found by family members who were just so happening to be visiting someone else in the area.

    There is no official indication to why Berryman’s death took place but police chief Joe C. Hall says that they’re in pursuit of several leads.

    According to ESPN:

    “Berryman played during the 2003 and 2005 seasons at Iowa State…in 2003, during his freshman year, he was the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year and an All Big 12 honorable mention. He recorded 110 tackles along with three sacks, and was named a freshman All-American.”

    Berryman’s sport career involved a lifestyle of run-ins with the law including arrests and jail time, which led to his removal from the Cyclone team in 2005. In 2008, he was arrested in Iowa with yet an additional charge.

    However, his lifestyle never overshadowed his achievements on the field.

    According to spokesman for the Iowa State’s athletics department, Mike Green, he told ESPN that in the 2005 Houston Bowl Berryman accomplished “72 tackles that year and led the team with 7.5 sacks.”

    “He was a difference maker on defense, and I know that he’s going to be missed by the Cyclone family,” Green said.

    The Cyclones tweeted their condolences to the family:

    According to a tweet posted by Twitter user Keith Murphy, Berryman is not the only Cyclone player who has lost his life:

     

    Image via Twitter, Channel 13 WHOtv

  • Tatyana Ali Profoundly Impacted by James Avery

    Tatyana Ali reflected about the death of her Fresh Prince of Bel-Air costar James Avery, who passed away on December 31st at the age of 68. Tatyana was just a little girl when she first appeared on the hit TV show back in 1990 along with Avery, but she remembers the impact his presence had on her to this very day.

    Ali played the role of Ashley Banks on the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air–the youngest of Philip Banks’ children. James Avery played Philip Banks. This no doubt added to the impact of Avery’s death on Ali. Avery was–at least for a good portion of her life–a father figure to her.

    Tatyana Ali expressed her grief and her overwhelming appreciation for James Avery and the vital role he once played in her life via two Twitter messages. Her expressions likely served as a means of processing the sudden and unexpected loss.

    James Avery is survived by his wife, Barbara, as well as by his mother and a stepson. In addition he is survived by the young people who starred alongside him on the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Tatyana Ali is just one of those young people–Will Smith is another–mourning the actor’s untimely passing, but also profoundly impacted by his influence on her life.

    Image via Facebook

  • Alicia Rhett of Gone With the Wind Dies at 98

    Alicia Rhett, best known for her role as India Wilkes in the film Gone With the Wind, died of natural causes on Friday at the age of 98. She was the oldest surviving cast member of the classic film, based upon the iconic book by Margaret Mitchell.

    Rhett lived at the Bishop Gadsden Episcopal Retirement Community in Charleston, S.C. since 2002. A spokesperson for the community told the Associated Press via a statement that she passed away at about 5PM on Friday afternoon.

    Also a painter, it has been said that Alicia Rhett sketched portraits of her costars during the filming of Gone With the Wind. She returned to painting and to her home in Charleston after no further roles became available for her in Hollywood. Some of her art is on display at the South Carolina State Library. It’s uncertain if any of the Gone With the Wind character’s portraits she reportedly did are displayed there.

    With Alicia Rhett’s passing, only three of the major cast members remain. Olivia De Havilland played Melanie Wilkes. She is now 97 and lives in Paris. Mary Anderson played Southern belle Maybelle Merriweather. She is 93. 82-year-old Mickey Kuhn played the role of Ashley and Melanie Wilkes’ son Beau Wilkes.

    2014 marks the 75th anniversary of Gone With the Wind.

    Image via Wikimedia

  • Pregnant Woman Murder: Husband Charged With Slaying

    A charge has been brought against the alleged killer of missing pregnant woman, Melissa Sowders, whose body was apparently discovered on Thursday in Harris County, Texas.

    The estranged husband of Sowders, 28-year-old Matthew Sowders, may face the death penalty or life in prison in the slaying of his ex-wife and her unborn child.

    Divers found the body of who they believe to be the 26-year-old behind Matthew’s home.

    Her abandoned white Honda Accord on I-45 led investigators to the exact location of the body in Cypress Creek. Sowders had been missing since Dec. 26.

    Her boyfriend said the last time he spoke with her is when she dropped him off at work prior to meeting up with her ex-husband and their daughter. Witnesses say she was seen at McDonald’s with the two the day she disappeared.

    During a hearing Friday, two witnesses came forth to testify against Matthew.

    According to one woman, she saw what she “believed to be a lifeless body in the doorway of Matt Sowders’ apartment when she went to visit” on the same day the mom-to-be went missing.

    She then alerted the police in a conference call, which led to Matthew openly confessing his involvement in the murder of his ex-wife.

    Matthew was denied bond on Friday and is being held in the Harris County Jail.

    His attorney claims that his client had nothing to do with Sowders’ death.

    “He is maintaining his innocence. It was a shock to be charged and arrested without a cause of death determination. He is not guilty of this charge,” Neyland said in a statement to ABC News.

    An autopsy has yet to be done to verify the identity and cause of death.

    Yet, further details into the story make the motives behind her death seem like an act of jealousy.

    Opened records show that the two filed for divorce in October 2013 and were in the middle of the legal process. They had four children together. However, Sowders was said to be expecting her fifth child with her boyfriend.

    Image via Youtube, USNationalistNews

  • Juanita Moore, Academy Nominee, Deceased at 99

    One of Hollywood’s most renowned actresses has passed away.

    Juanita Moore, an Academy Award Nominee, collapsed and died Wednesday January 1 at her home in Los Angeles. According to her grandson, Kirk Kelleykahn, she was 99 years of age.

    Moore first got her foot in the door in the 1949 film, “Pinky.”

    Some of her other respected career achievements include:

    • 1950s- Stardom at black-owned Los Angeles’ Ebony Showcase Theatre.
    • 1965- Broadway appearances in the play production of “The Amen Corner.”
    • 1973- A Motherly role in “The Mack.”
    • 2000- Her grandmother role in “The Kid.”
    • Most currently- TV appearances on “Judging Amy” and  “ER.”

    However, Moore was better known for her groundbreaking performance in the 1959 film, “Imitation of Life,” making her the fifth African-American entertainer to be nominated for an Oscar.

    Unlike her other films where she played a typical nurse or housemaid, Moore’s character finally opened the door for better roles in her acting career.  She has said that her role in the heartfelt film touched her more than any other character she has portrayed.

    “I cried a lot in the making of this movie because it was real easy for me to cry,” she said. “I had a lot to cry about. Conditions for black actors were unbelievable back then. Very few actors got the opportunity to hone their craft in the same way white actors did.”

    Yet, Moore said her recognition for the award was a little off considering the fact that she previously landed numerous roles before the nomination.

    “The Oscar prestige was fine, but I worked more before I was nominated. Casting directors think an Oscar nominee is suddenly in another category. They couldn’t possibly ask you to do one or two days’ work. You wouldn’t accept it. And I’m sure I would,” Moore said.

    Her legacy continues to live on through Kelleykahn, who is also an actor and the CEO of the Cambridge group.

    Moore leaves behind her grandson and two nephews.

    Images via Youtube, Brave T.V 

  • James Avery, Fresh Prince Actor, Passes Away

    It was learned today that actor James Avery passed on December 31st. He was 68 years old. According to TMZ, Avery had checked into a Glendale, CA hospital to have open heart surgery. After the procedure his health took a turn for the worse.

    His wife, Barbara, was by his side during much of his hospitalization. Sadly, when she left briefly, she returned and was told that he had passed in her absence.

    James Avery was known to many for his role as Uncle Phil in the popular early 90s sitcom, “Fresh Prince of Bel Air”. On the show he played the uncle to character Will, played by the breakout actor, Will Smith. While some are still waiting to hear from the various actors who appeared on the show, one of his former co-stars, Alfonso Ribeiro, did share a heartfelt message on his facebook page a few hours ago:

    Post by Alfonso Ribeiro.

    Other reactions to the loss of the respected actor:

    James Avery was a native of Atlantic City, New Jersey. After high school, he joined the Navy and is a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving from 1968 to 1969. After getting out of the military, Avery moved to San Diego. There he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Drama and Literature on a scholarship to the University of California at San Diego.

    In addition to his role on “Fresh Prince”, he also lent his voice to the 90s cartoon version of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” as villain, Shredder. He won an Emmy for his production work at the PBS network.

    During the late 80s, Avery met and married the love of his life, who remained married to him until his death. He will be greatly missed by fellow actors and fans of his work.

    Image via Alfonso Ribeiro Facebook

  • India Train: Fire Kills At Least 26

    India Train: Fire Kills At Least 26

    Early Saturday morning, an express train in India engulfed into flames near the Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh.

    The Bangalore-Nanded express train was carrying 60 passengers, many who were traveling home for the holidays. Eight were injured where as 26 casualties were reported.

    Most of those traveling were asleep at the time of the fire.

    Railway official Sunanda Arun told CNN that the fire started in B1 train compartment around 3:51 a.m.

    In an attempt to survive, there were passengers who broke windows and jumped out of the coach.

    The coach was delinked from the rest of the cars to avoid further spreading, although one other car did catch on fire but was put out in enough time.

    In an AP report “Firefighters had to force the doors open and make their way through the smoke-filled coach to reach the dead.”

    According to S. Senthil Kumar, chief of police of Anantapur, the “bodies were charred beyond recognition.”

    The bodies were still inspected by medical examiners to determine identification.

    India’s railway system is one of the largest networks in the world. While serving millions of passengers daily, it holds a bad reputation for poor maintenance and constitutes a disregard for repairs.

    An electrical short-circuit was said to be the reason to why the fire broke out.  However, the cause of this tragic event is still being investigated.

    Image via Youtube, euronews

  • Farooq Sheikh, Bollywood Actor Dies at 65

    On Saturday, the Bollywood film industry lost one of their most successful actors.

    Farooq Sheikh, an Indian actor and TV presenter, suffered from a heart attack on Friday while visiting his family in Dubai.

    According to Global News, Sheikh’s career began in the 1973 film Garm Hawa, “about the 1947 partition of the subcontinent at the end of British rule. His performance earned him a key role in director Satyajit Ray’s The Chess Players, about the decadence of India’s feudal classes.”

    He was highly known for connecting to ordinary people by dressing ordinary himself. Sheikh also was a social advocate and philanthropist within the community.

    “This is an aspect of his life that I have hardly seen in any other individual. It is not just a loss to the film industry, but for the entire nation,” said congress leader Meem Afzal.

    Sheikh’s legendary films and TV appearances went on into the early 2000s. After a six-year break from the big screen, he returned in 2008 and continued acting until his death.

    In the past, he has contributed to New Indian Cinema, working with other popular Indian directors.  However his greatest achievement came in 2010 when he won National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Lahore.

    “Farooq Sheikh was a versatile actor whose performances were sterling and scintillating. In his untimely death we have lost another jewel,” said Manish Tewari, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, in a DNA India report.

    Famous Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan went to Twitter to send his sympathies for the remarkable actor.

     

    Sheikh leaves behind his wife and three children.

  • Well-Known Ad Exec Mike Hughes Dies After Writing His Own Obituary

    Former Martin Agency president Mike Hughes has passed away at the age of 65 after a long battle with lung cancer.

    Hughes is responsible for such high profile campaigns as the Geico cavemen (which even had its own TV show at one point) and the Geico gecko, among others.

    He was told in 1998 that even though he was a lifelong non-smoker, he had lung cancer, and that there was an 84% chance he would die within five years. Obviously he overcame those odds. Here’s a video from IAB Mixx 2011, in which Hughes talks about this.

    Earlier this year, Hughes was given two weeks to live, and started a blog called Unfinished Thinking, which he updated until he died on Sunday. On the last day, he wrote “An autobiographical obituary by the late Mike Hughes,” which serves as a love letter to his family and friends, and a tribute to what he was proud of.

    Heartbreaking stuff.

    It concludes, “One final thought. I hope each of you enjoys every minute of your life. You’ve all contributed so much to mine. And one last favor. Keep me in your thoughts. I love you.”

    Hughes joined The Martin Agency in 1978, serving as creative director for 30 years, and eventually president beginning in 1995.

    AdAge shares a comment from the agency’s Chief Creative Officer Joe Alexander: “We are a family. And we’ve just lost our dad.”

    You can see a video tribute they created for him in that article.

    [via BusinessInsider]

  • Kenyan Bus Explosion: Attacks Continue Saturday

    A mini bus and nearby cars in Nairobi, Kenya were left in pieces today after an unconfirmed explosive device exploded inside of the traveling mini bus. Reuters tells us that four people were killed while 36 were left wounded in the fourth Kenyan attack this week.

    The sudden blast turned car parts into shrapnel to quickly transform a normal day into a tragedy. Officials are still working to determine if the explosive was thrown onto or already on the bus.

    This week should be one of celebration for Kenya; they are celebrating its 50th year of independence from Britain. The attackers or force behind the string of attacks is still unknown, so the statement behind them is undetermined.

    A summary of this week’s attacks:

    -On Tuesday, gunmen riddle a police car with bullets leaving eight people dead near the Somalian border.

    -A grenade was hurled at British tourists Thursday– the day of the Kenyan Independence Day. The grenade thankfully malfunctioned, but caused alarm to tourists who were once considered exempt from terrorist activity in Kenya.

    -Masked men threw two grenades into a northeastern Kenyan marketplace Friday killing one person and injuring more.

    The attackers are officially unknown, but the attacks mirror a September 21st attack by a Somali militant group by the name of al-Shabab. The Westgate attack killed at least 67 people in a four-day period, and al-Shabab told Kenya that such attacks will continue until they discontinue any involvement with Somalian affairs. Kenya currently is an asylum for 475,000 Somali refugees.

    Time will tell if these attacks continue. The United Nations, Kenya and Somalia have recently promised to assist any Somalians if they decide to return to their homeland. If this does not reduce the attacks on Kenya, further research is certainly in order to discover the source and reasoning behind these horrific attacks.

    [image: Youtube]

  • Former Napster COO Milton Olin Jr. Dies After Being Hit By Police Car

    Milton Olin Jr., who once served as COO of Napster, is dead after being hit by a police car while riding his bicycle.

    The accident happened at 1:05 PM at the 22000 block of Mulholland Highway in Los Angeles on Sunday. Olin was reportedly pronounced dead at the scene. He was sixty-five years old. CBS Los Angeles reports:

    Investigators confirmed to CBS2′s Melanie Woodrow the deputy was on routine patrol and was not responding to an emergency at the time of the collision. They also confirmed that Olin, a prominent entertainment attorney, was in the bike lane when he was struck.

    The deputy who was driving was taken to the hospital. Authorities say he has minor lacerations to his face and cuts on his eye due to glass that broke from the impact of the collision.

    The police say that speed wasn’t a factor in Olin’s death, and that drugs nor alcohol are believed to be involved. The deputy who hit Olin has so far not been named. He’s being interviewed today.

    According to his LinkedIn profile, Olin was working as a partner at Altschul & Olin. He had been practicing law since departing Napster in 2002 (he spent two years at the company). Prior to napster, he had been SVP at FirstLook.com, SVP Business & Legal Affairs A&M at Polygram, SVP Business & Legal Affairs at A&M Records, and a partner at Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP.

    The above photo comes from what appears to be Olin’s personal Twitter account where he has often tweeted about cycling.

    The accident comes less than three months after former Amazon CFO Joy Covey was also killed in a bicycle accident in San Mateo County.

    [via TMZ]

    Image: Twitter

  • Brian The Dog: Back From The Dead?

    Brian The Dog: Back From The Dead?

    If you were one of the millions of stunned Family Guy viewers who didn’t take too well to the death of Brian Griffin, your tears of woe may not have been in vain. It has been recently revealed that there are plans to have the family pet make a return. The speculation is due to an upcoming Christmas-themed episode where the baby, Stewie, plots to have the one thing he wants more than anything else. If it were anything other than the return of his recently departed pet, the audience may have a huge conniption. So perhaps, just as many speculated, the producers saw the writing on the wall and felt it would be better to retcon a dead dog and a replacement pooch.

    Producer Steve Callaghan said the decision to kill Brian would be, “a fun way to shake things up“. Well, shake things up the show did. Now it seems that a move is being made to bring things back to the way they were.

    Or is there?

    While cynics were counting down the days until the seemingly inevitable return of the popular character, there’s still a chance for the entire fandom to be thrown for yet another loop. Perhaps the episode will have Brian happy “on the other side” and wishing to remain at peace. The dog’s mother had been revealed to have died in an earlier, and perhaps he’ll finally have the chance to get to know her. While it’s mentioned that the character is expected to feature in an episode next season (with guest-star Maya Rudolph), there’s nothing to the news to suggest a permanent return. It’s possible the dog may only feature in a flashback or cut away joke.

    In other words, it’s probably best wait and see what happens with the Christmas special and future episodes before assuming one way or the other. While it’s most definite we’ll be seeing Brian again, how much of the dog and how permanently he’ll be seen has yet to be confirmed.

    Image: Family Guy Facebook

  • Charlize Theron Leads Celebrities in Mandela Tribute

    After the sad news spread that Nelson Mandela passed away yesterday at the age of 95, mourners from around the world showed the Nobel Peace Prize Winner a lot of love and respect. Appreciation and gratitude for all that Mandela did to stop apartheid in South Africa, including giving up his own freedom, was sincerely expressed by the Hollywood community.

    Charlize Theron is from South Africa, she grew up on a farm in Johannesburg. The Oscar winning actress alongside The Wire actor Idris Elba both spoke last night after the premiere of the biopic about Mandela’s life, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. Theron had this to say, “My thoughts and love go out to the Mandela family. Rest in Peace Madiba. You will be missed, but your impact on this world will live forever. There will never be words to say what I’m feeling right now. I am saddened to the depths of my soul. Truly.”

    Theron is also the creator of CTAOP, an organization to help stop the spread of HIV/AIDS among the youth in Africa. The group works alongside Oprah’s Angel Network to provide mobil health services to an impoverished region in South Africa called The uMkhanyakude District.

    Elba, who played Mandela in the biopic, also paid his respects. “I am stunned at this very moment, in mourning with the rest of the world and Madiba’s family. We have lost one of the greatest human beings to have walked this earth, I only feel honored to be associated with him. He is in a better place now.

    (image)

    Many celebrities also expressed their thoughts on the life and death of the South African Leader. Morgan Freeman, who played Mandela in the 2009 film Invictus said, “What an honor it was to portray a man who defied odds, broke down barriers, and championed human rights before the eyes of the world.”

    (image)

    Also paying their respects were Rihanna, Cher, Kerry Washington, David Beckham and Harvey Weinstein, to name just a few. Naomi Campbell was especially moving in her tribute. “Nelson has stood as a figure of strength, hope, freedom, selflessness and love, and I join everyone across the world in mourning his passing.” She went on to say, “However, he was much more than just a figurehead to me – he was my mentor, my honorary grandfather, my Tata. Since meeting him in 1993, he’s guided me and gave me a reason for being in the tough times of my life. He changed my perception of the world.”

    The Long Walk to Freedom hit theaters last week in limited release. The biopic is based on Mandela’s autobiography of the same name. The narrative moves between his childhood, coming of age and the 27 years he spent in prison before becoming President of South Africa.

    Image Via Facebook, Facebook, Wikipedia