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Rebel Wilson's shocking weight loss confession

Rebel Wilson has confessed to using Ozempic to maintain her weight after dropping almost 40kgs in her "year of health" in 2020. While speaking to the Sunday Times about the release of her memoir, Rebel Rising, the Aussie actress confessed to using the drug, which is used to treat type 2 diabetes. The 44-year-old has previously referred to 2020 as her "year of health" after she lost a staggering amount of weight, and has now finally admitted to using Ozempic, but only to maintain her weight. She said, "Someone like me could have a bottomless appetite for sweets, so I think those drugs can be good." Rebel went on to clarify that she is no longer taking the drug, and is happy with her weight. The actress shared how wanting to have a baby kick-started her dramatic weight loss in 2020, but not everyone was happy about her plans for a drastic transformation. "Basically no one apart from my mum wanted me to lose weight," Wilson recalled. "People thought I'd lose my pigeonhole in my career, playing the fat funny character, and they wanted me to continue in that." Over the past four years, Wilson has admitted to gaining some of it back including 20lbs from "stress eating" leading up to the release of her book, with Covid lockdowns also playing a part in her fluctuating weight. "I know that my relationship with food is complicated," she said. "I feel strongly that young women shouldn't try to obsess over looking like Victoria's Secret models — they should just look like themselves." Image credits: Getty Images

Body

Woman allegedly murders great-aunt with spaghetti

Italian police are investigating the bizarre alleged murder of Maria Basso, 80. Paola Pepe, her young great-niece, was arrested for the alleged murder after she was believed to have force-fed Basso with spaghetti, Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported. Basso was vulnerable to choking if she did not eat finely chopped or pureed food, despite this Pepe still took out her great-aunt for a meal in a Sicily restaurant in December 2022. She allegedly bought Basso spaghetti, and two days later her great-aunt was dead, after some of the pasta allegedly got lodged in her airways. Her death initially looked like an accident, until Italian police launched further investigations and found that Pepe had amended her great-aunt's will just two days before the meal. The Corriere della Sera reported Pepe had taken an unusual interest in her great-aunt's finances in the months leading up to her death after she had unexpectedly turned up during Basso's 80th birthday, and spent hours alone with her. Pepe eventually moved Basso to a care home 1300 kilometres away, without telling her close family members, and reportedly did not take any of Basso's medication or personal belongings to the new home. Police alleged that after isolating her great-aunt, she managed to convince Basso to change her will so that Pepe was named sole beneficiary of Basso's estate, which was worth $775,000. Basso initially intended to give her estate to a charity, as she had no children according to local media. Pepe has denied all accusations and was bailed, but is wearing a police ankle bracelet while waiting for her trial. Image: Strettoweb

Legal

"I just don't like old skin": Jane Fonda's bizarre confession

Jane Fonda has made an unusual confession about her dating life, explaining why she would only date people of a certain age. The Hollywood legend, 85, has been married three times throughout her life: first to director Roger Vadim from 1965 to 1973, then to activist Tom Hayden from 1973 to 1990, and finally to CNN founder Ted Turner from 1991 to 2001. Fonda is currently single, but doesn't plan on staying that way. Despite being open to finding love, the actress has a very specific criteria for potential suitors to meet before agreeing to a date. On the Absolutely Not podcast, the Oscar winner initially suggested she was done with men for good, saying, “I’m done, I’m over, I’m [almost] 86 years old, even in the dark I wouldn’t want to be naked in front of anybody.” But she then went on to confess that there’s still a chance she could fall for a man, but they would just have to be substantially younger. “And here’s another thing, I’m ashamed to say this, if I were to take a lover, he’d have to be 20. Because I don’t like old skin,” said Fonda. She continued, “And consequently, I don’t want to foist that on anybody else. I assume other people are like me, I just don’t like old skin.” “I disapprove of 86-year-old men with 20-year-old women, so I’m not going to repeat it. I can ogle them, and I can’t pretend that I don’t get turned on if I see a certain kind of a person, but no, no, no, I don’t want to force that on anybody.” Her confession has been criticised on social media, with some suggesting the star would be “cancelled” if it was a man that had said the same about young women. “This is seriously weird,” tweeted one fan, while another said: “But an 85 year old man wanting to date a 20 year old woman is disgusting? Am I right?” Image credits: Getty Images

Relationships

Woman launches true crime podcast to find her father's killer

21 years ago, Madison McGhee's father was shot in cold blood. Madison was just six years old when her dad, John "JC" Cornelius McGhee, died, and was originally told he had passed away from a heart attack. However, when Madison was in high school, she began to ask questions about what really happened that night. "When I was 16 I had a weird feeling that something else was going on, so I asked my mum about a weird connection between my cousin and the death of my father," Madison told <a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/today/ice-cold-case-podcaster-hoping-to-solve-fathers-21-year-murder-mystery/a873da03-0198-4e34-b65c-cc3ced6e8cca" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Today Extra</a>. "And that's when my mum told me that there was another side of the story and that my dad had actually been murdered and it was a cold case, completely unsolved." Madison's father, who was a recovering drug addict and police informant, was shot in the head in the early hours of July 11th 2002 at his home in Ohio. His 16-year-old daughter and Madison's half-sister, Alyssa, was home at the time and found her father's body on the ground with a bullet hole in a nearby wall. Police investigated his death, but failed to find any evidence that could convict someone of his murder. After Madison discovered the real nature of her father's death, she began digging into the cold case and decided to try and solve the crime herself. In her efforts to find her father's killer, she launched a podcast called Ice Cold Case. "I started asking questions, diving into it and that's when I realised it was much more layered than even I could have imagined," she said. One line of theory by investigators was that JC's death was a home invasion gone wrong, but Madison said things just don't add up to support that. "When you dive into the police files, it's very clear that this is suspicious," she said. "A home invasion to my knowledge is usually very quick and something of value is stolen, but nothing was taken and this home invasion lasted for over 30 minutes. "It just seemed suspicious that someone would feel so comfortable to break into a house and stick around for that long and not steal anything at all - it feels like it was planned and very intentional." Madison admitted that is has been jarring looking into the death of her father, especially when no one has been held accountable, but she has put her own fears aside in the hopes of finding out what really happened. "I do feel a little uneasy putting myself out there in this very public way, but I just feel like justice for my dad is so much more important than worrying about my own safety if his killer is still out there," she said. "But I really want to find out what happened for him and for my own closure, so I have sort of pushed that to the side." Image credits: Today Extra

Legal

Bruce Willis' wife's devastating confession

Bruce Willis' wife has shared a heartbreaking confession about caring for her husband as he continues to struggle with frontotemporal dementia. Emma Heming, who has been married to the A-list actor since 2009, shared a candid glimpse into her life as her husband's carer, admitting she often struggles with guilt. Willis was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in early 2023, nearly one year after announcing his retirement from acting due to aphasia, which causes difficulties with speech. Since then, his family have frequently shared updates on his condition. Emma shared that since becoming a carer for her husband, she has been plagued with feelings of guilt. She told Sunday Paper, “I struggle with guilt, knowing that I have resources that others don’t." “When I’m able to get out for a hike to clear my head, it’s not lost on me that not all care partners can do that." “When what I share about our family’s journey gets press attention, I know that there are many thousands of untold, unheard stories, each of them deserving of compassion and concern.” Heming – who has daughters Mabel, 11, and Evelyn, nine, with Willis – went on to share that she hopes to continue to “be an advocate” for those also living her experience as a full-time carer. She added, “I see that what I share matters to others who may be struggling, and in a small way makes them feel seen and understood." “I want people to know that when I hear from another family affected by FTD, I hear our family’s same story of grief, loss, and immense sadness echoed in theirs… “It’s important to me to be an advocate on behalf of those families, who don’t have the time, energy, or resources to advocate for themselves.” Heming went on to add that despite her husband's condition continuing to deteriorate, she still has “hope” for Willis. She explained, “I have so much more hope today than I did after Bruce was first diagnosed." “I understand this disease more now, and I’m now connected to an incredible community of support. I have hope in having found a new purpose — admittedly one I never would have gone looking for — using the spotlight to help and empower others.” Image credits: Getty Images

Family & Pets

Why this pilot was charged with 83 counts of attempted murder

An off-duty pilot, identified as Joseph David Emerson, has been charged with 83 counts of attempted murder following an alleged attempt to crash an Alaska Airlines flight en route to San Francisco. The incident unfolded as Flight 2059, operated by Horizon Air, took off from Everett, Washington, shortly before 5:30pm local time on a seemingly routine Sunday evening. However, what transpired mid-flight left passengers and the aviation community in disbelief. Emerson, who was sitting in the cockpit's jump seat behind the captain and first officer, reportedly attempted to activate the jet's fire suppression system. This system, when triggered, would have closed a valve in the wing to cut off the flow of fuel to the engines. The consequences of such an act could have been catastrophic, potentially leading to a loss of engine power and a potentially fatal crash. The vigilant crew of Flight 2059, including the captain and first officer, quickly responded to subdue Emerson, preventing the activation of the fire suppression system. Their swift actions were pivotal in averting a potential disaster. The aircraft was forced to make an emergency diversion to Portland International Airport, where Emerson was taken into custody by the Port of Portland Police. Thankfully, no injuries were reported during this harrowing incident. The charges against Emerson are nothing short of severe. The Multnomah County District Attorney's Office has confirmed that he faces 83 counts of attempted murder in the first degree, 83 counts of recklessly endangering another person, and one count of endangering an aircraft in the first degree. Emerson is currently held in custody at the Multnomah County Detention Centre in Portland, Oregon, awaiting arraignment. The investigation into this troubling incident is ongoing, with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies collaborating to determine the motive behind Emerson's actions. When interviewed by police, Emerson said he had a “nervous breakdown” after not sleeping for 40 hours and stated he had taken psychedelic mushrooms for the first time. “I didn’t feel okay. It seemed like the pilots weren’t paying attention to what was going on. They didn’t … it didn’t seem right,” Emerson told police, according to an affidavit. The affidavit does not state whether Emerson was under the influence of the mushrooms while on the plane, but he later added: “I pulled both emergency shut off handles because I thought I was dreaming and I just wanna wake up.” The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has also become involved in the case, supporting investigations into the incident. The Air Line Pilots Association International (ALPA) commended the flight crew for their swift response, emphasising the priority of safety for the flying public and crews. ALPA noted that the airline pilot profession is one of the most highly vetted and scrutinised careers, with pilots undergoing continuous evaluations throughout their careers through training and medical exams. Emerson's pilot certification, which was updated just last month, underscores the importance of self-reporting any mental health conditions for aviators. This aspect of the case will likely be closely examined as part of the ongoing investigation. In a statement, the Portland office of the FBI assured the traveling public that there is no continuing threat related to this incident. While the shocking episode has left many questions unanswered, it serves as a testament to the professionalism and dedication of flight crews in ensuring passenger safety, even in the face of such extraordinary challenges. Images: Facebook / FlightAware

Travel Trouble

Adele's candid baby confession mid-concert

Adele has candidly revealed that she wants to expand her family with boyfriend Rich Paul. The Hello singer dropped the news during one of her shows in Las Vegas, when she spotted a fan who was 20-weeks pregnant. The fan shared that she was having a girl, but has yet to decide on a name and wanted Adele's help. “I really want to be a mum again soon, so every time I see a name I like, I write it down in my phone,” the singer said to the surprise of fans. The fan responded: “We have two names and we’ve been going back and forth. I can’t, for the life of me, decide. I like boy names for girls. The first name is Parker or Spencer.” The 35-year-old singer then mulled over the two options before she jokingly said: can’t say Parker because Rich likes that name. “I’ll say Spencer,” she concluded. Adele then gave a sneak peek into one of the names she likes. “I love Ray for a girl as well, spelled like the boy’s name,” she added. <div class="embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: none !important;"><iframe class="embedly-embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: none !important; width: 603px; max-width: 100%;" title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7271648822659501355&display_name=tiktok&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40editsofadele%2Fvideo%2F7271648822659501355&image=https%3A%2F%2Fp16-sign.tiktokcdn-us.com%2Fobj%2Ftos-useast5-p-0068-tx%2FowMuDRbnSIJFR8kEBF8Yn65hqBiAEDTkeBf7Qg%3Fx-expires%3D1693706400%26x-signature%3DkvzKhLZtGJ8sMZJLnQSpkH%252FBsQQ%253D&key=59e3ae3acaa649a5a98672932445e203&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> The fan was over-the-moon when she found out they had a similar taste in baby names. "Stop - that’s (going to be) the middle name!” she said. Adele gushed that they were "so in sync". Footage of the sweet exchange has since gone viral with over 1.4 million views, and fans are delighted at the interaction. “Spencer Ray is actually nice but the fact that Adele picked it… come on, best name in the world,” wrote one fan. “’Adele named you' 😳 elite story,” another commented on the stories that the fan's future daughter could tell. “Imagine growing up and saying I was named by Adele 😂,” another said. Adele is already a mother to 10-year-old son Angelo, who she shares with ex-husband Simon Konecki. The star has been hinting about wanting to expand her family since February 2022, and has been in a relationship with Rich since early 2021. Images: TikTok

Family & Pets

Rob Lowe's West Wing confession

Rob Lowe has spoken candidly about leaving one of his most acclaimed TV shows. The 59-year-old actor has opened up about leaving The West Wing, which first aired in 1999 with Lowe playing the character of Sam Seaborn, the Bartlet administration's deputy communications director, on the very first episode of the show. The show ran for seven seasons and went off the air in 2006, although Lowe left the show during season four. Despite the show's popularity, Lowe said that leaving the show when he did was the best decision to make for him and his future career. Speaking candidly on the Stitcher Studios' podcast Podcrushed, Lowe was asked about why he left the show, and he summed up his departure with an analogy. He said, "I walked away from the most popular girl at school, but I also knew that it was a super unhealthy relationship, and it was the best thing I ever did." The unofficial story when Lowe left the show, as reported by <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2002/SHOWBIZ/TV/07/24/west.wing.lowe/index.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1" data-ylk="slk:Daily Variety;cpos:3;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0" data-rapid_p="33" data-v9y="1">Daily Variety</a>, was that he was doing so because he couldn't get the salary that he wanted. As Lowe explained to Podcrushed hosts Penn Badgley, Nava Kavelin and Sophie Ansari, his decision had boiled down to one thing. "I felt very undervalued," said Lowe, the author of 2012's Stories I Only Tell My Friends. "Whenever I talk to actors who complain about, you know, their relationships on their shows, it happens. It happens in any workplace. You could be in an environment where people sandbag you, want to see you fail, don't appreciate you, whatever it is and whenever I share my stories, people are like, 'I will never share my own stories again.'" "They would make your hair stand up and there's some of them I wrote. I shared some of them in my book, but I purposely didn't share half of the other ones because it would make the people involved look so bad that I didn't want to do it to them." "So, I did not have a good experience. Tried to make it work and tried to make it work and tried to make it work and then what happened was my kids were getting to a certain age where I could see them having first girlfriends or friends and being in a relationship that was abusive and taking it," said Lowe, the father of sons John Owen, a 27-year-old actor, and venture capitalist Matthew, 29. "She's the popular girl, everybody likes her, she's beautiful, it must be great. All the things that people would say about making The West Wing to me. It's so popular, it's so amazing, it must be amazing, but I know what it's like and if I couldn't walk away from it, then how could I empower my kids to walk away from it?" When Lowe did leave the show, he issued a statement on why his character would be written out. "As much as it hurts to admit it, it has been increasingly clear, for quite a while, that there was no longer a place for Sam Seaborn on The West Wing," he said, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2002/SHOWBIZ/TV/07/24/west.wing.lowe/index.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1" data-ylk="slk:per CNN;cpos:5;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0" data-rapid_p="36" data-v9y="1">per CNN</a>. "However, Warner Bros. has allowed me an opportunity to leave the show as I arrived ... grateful for it, happy to have been on it and proud of it. We were a part of television history and I will never forget it." Image credits: Getty Images

5 juicy confessions from cruise crew members

As you can probably imagine, when living on the high seas you get to pick up a story or two. While while most of these tales don’t make it back to shore, for the first time ever a few of these interesting stories have made their way to land. Porthole Cruise Magazine has explored the industry to find five of the juiciest confessions from cruise crew members. You’ll never look at cruise staff the same way. And of course, the staff member’s names have been kept anonymous. 1. One shore excursions manager told about the time she was woken up by 3am as two colleagues burst into her cabin. She said, “They woke up my roommate and I and were shouting to get our lifejackets on and to abandon ship, and then they ran out of the room. My roommate and I started freaking out, bumping into each other trying to find our lifejackets. Then we ran out of the room down the hallway in our pyjamas — only to be met by an entire group of crew members taking pictures and laughing. That was just Part One of our initiation.” 2. A cruise gift shop manager told Porthole about a dispute between dining room staff and restaurant management which resulted in a strike. As a result, staff managers from the other sections of the boat had to fill in, everyone from the casino to the beauty shop. She said, “We were instructed to bring as many of our staff members as we could spare to help serve more than 500 hungry guests. So there we all went, in our respective uniforms, off to the dining room to be waiters for the evening. I’m not sure how we did it, but we did. All of the guests managed to get their rolls, salads, entrées, coffee, and dessert while being served by an eclectic staff in an assortment of uniforms. That was the essence of good teamwork if I’ve ever seen it.” 3. Another anonymous cruise staff member told of a game she played when greeting guests walking into the dining room. She and her offsider decided to make a game of inserting wacky words into conversation. She said, “One of the most memorable words that we actually pulled off quite well, and surprisingly without realisation or offence to the guests, was penis. How? Guest walks through the door…. cruise staff says ‘Good Evening! Have you just come from the lounge? They have an amazing penis playing up there and the sing-a-long is great fun!” Guest smiled and answered: “YES! The pianist is one of the best I’ve seen on ships!’” 4. A cruise casino dealer recalls, “One of the hardest things I had to do as a casino dealer was to keep a straight face. And I’m not necessarily talking about because we were in the middle of an intense game. I’m talking about the times when certain guests, well, smelled. One time a player sat at my table and was letting out such bad gas that other players began to slowly inch away and eventually left the area. Truth be told: No matter what sights – and smells – I encountered, it was always a challenge to remain neutral. Perhaps this is the true origin of the term ‘poker face.’ 5. A cabin steward told the story of cruisers who were continually complaining about bites. After three nights of complaints he, “Advised them to visit the onboard infirmary to see if they could identify the ‘bites’ and see if there was something that could be done for them. The nurse in the infirmary concluded that neither of them had bug bites, and that the red scratches on their arms were caused simply by their own fingernails. On the fourth day, the couple marched up to the front office and announced they had found the bugs and showed the guest relations manager a box containing the ‘bugs.’ When I was called to the front office to look at the bugs, everyone was laughing in disbelief. The guests had presented them with a small box full of lint.” Image: Shutterstock

Cruising

Murder charge levelled at children's book author

Author Kouri Richins wrote a children’s book on grief following the death of her husband in 2022. She is now being charged with his murder. Richins was arrested on May 7 in Utah and is accused of charging documents of poisoning her husband with a lethal dose of fentanyl at their home in Kamas, a small mountain town near Park City. Prosecutors allege Richins called authorities in the middle of the night in March 2022 to report that her husband, Eric Richins, was “cold to the touch”. The mum-of-three told authorities she had made her husband a mixed vodka drink to celebrate him selling a home and then went to soothe one of their children in their bedroom. She later returned and found her husband unresponsive, which prompted her to call 911. A medical examiner later found five times the lethal dosage of fentanyl in his system. Additionally, Richins is facing charges involving the alleged possession of GHB - a narcolepsy drug typically used in recreational settings, including at dance clubs. The charges, which are based on officers’ interactions with Richins that evening and the account of an “unnamed acquaintance” who claimed to have sold her the fentanyl, come two months after Richins appeared on local television to promote Are You With Me, a picture book she wrote to help children cope with the death of a loved one. For a segment called Good Things Utah, Richins referred to her husband’s death as unexpected and explained how it sent her and her three boys spiralling. In terms of children, she said, grieving was about “making sure that their spirit is always alive in your home”. “It’s ... explaining to my kid just because he’s not present here with us physically, doesn’t mean his presence isn’t here with us,” she told the reporters, who commended her for being an amazing mother. Richins’ lawyer, Sky Lazaro, declined to comment on the charges. Image credit: Instagram

Legal

Family Feud contestant charged with wife’s murder

A former contestant on Family Feud has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and home invasion over the death of his estranged wife. Timothy W. Bliefnick, 39, was charged on March 13 in relation to the suspicious death of his former spouse, Rebecca Bliefnick, 41, who was found dead in her home on February 23, according to court documents. Bliefnick appeared on the game show in January 2020, and host Steve Harvey asked him, “What’s the biggest mistake you made at your wedding?” “Honey, I love you, but, ‘said I do,’” he responded, prompting a mixed reaction from the audience. “Not my mistake, not my mistake," he continued. ”I love my wife. I'm gonna get in trouble for that, aren't I?" After Fox News Digital discovered the clip, Bliefnick’s attorney said, "It's a game show. A silly answer to a silly question on a silly show doesn't make one a murderer.” KHQA-TV reported that Bliefnick and his wife were married in 2009, but at the time of her death the pair were undergoing divorce proceedings after having been separated for “several years”. After the couple separated they filed restraining orders against each other. Bliefnick’s attorney Casey Schnack told E! News that he plans to plead not guilty at his next court hearing. Image credit: YouTube

Legal

“This is disgusting”: Mural for murdered women defaced with graffiti

A street artist has been captured painting over a mural depicting the names and photos of women murdered across Australia in acts of domestic violence. The mural, plastered on Melbourne’s famous Hosier Lane, depicts some of the almost 80 women killed since the start of 2023, and the locations they died around Australia. The mural also shows the alarming statistics of domestic violence across Australia in data compiled by The RED HEART Campaign - an ongoing memorial project dedicated to tracking the known women and children killed in acts of gendered violence. The mural was painted in the lane on International Women’s Day (March 8th), and was defaced just 10 days later. An unknown street artist was captured on video spray painting over the women’s faces, with the words “13 WOLF 69” covering most of the mural, as the beginning of a large orange text covering the southeast corner of the map. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> When murdered women are erased for the second time! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/femicide?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#femicide</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/shematters?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#shematters</a> <a href="https://t.co/TYpLQFmpCx">pic.twitter.com/TYpLQFmpCx</a> — Sherele Moody (Femicide Researcher) 🌈 (@ShereleMoody) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShereleMoody/status/1636880510269128705?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2023</a></blockquote> The video, posted by the campaign founder Sherele Moody, then pans slowly to capture the artist still spraying the wall with orange paint – what seem to be the finishing touches to the large piece that stretches for metres toward Flinders Street. “That’s more important, that’s lovely,” someone can be heard sarcastically saying in the footage. “That’s not even art!” Sherele captioned the video as an example of “when murdered women are erased for a second time”. “The dude could have moved his scribble a few feet and not painted over the faces of murdered women,” she added. “The Lane is pretty big – there’s room for all of us!” Supporters of the campaign immediately reacted in disgust to the “selfish, heartless artist”, with many saying the disregard for the mural really “hurts”. “What the actual f,” one woman wrote. “This is disgusting. This is about murdered women and a memorial. When did we become so disrespectful.” While most of the backlash was in support of the advocates, others questioned whether the artist was even aware of what he had done or was partially covering. Others simply said it was the harsh nature of Melbourne’s internationally renowned street art culture. Image credits: Twitter

Art

Murderer and Eric Clapton drummer dies at 77

Jim Gordon, an infamous session drummer from the ‘60s and ‘70s, has passed away at the age of 77. Gordon, who in his prime played with the likes of the Beach Boys and George Harrison, died in a psychiatric prison in California’s Vacaville. He had been sentenced to 16 years to life after killing his mother during a psychotic episode in 1983, and it is reported that he never attended parole hearings, or ever left prison. His publicist Bob Merlis confirmed the news in a statement, where he also explained that Gordon had died of natural causes. Gordon was born and raised in Los Angeles, and opted to pursue a career as a drummer while a teenager, even turning down a scholarship to UCLA. At just 17, he toured the United Kingdom with the Everly Brothers. His professional resume only grew from there, with Gordon going on to become on the primary drummers for George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass. Additionally, he contributed to songs by The Beach Boys on Pet Sounds, Cher, Nancy Sinatra, Judy Collins, and Bobby Darin. In 1970, he formed a group - Derek and the Dominos - with Eric Clapton. Together they wrote the hit ‘Layla’, with Gordon playing both piano and drums. Gordon’s girlfriend at the time, Rita singer Coolidge, claimed she had written the piano section. Gordon’s relationship with Coolidge ended when he physically assaulted her. As the years went by, Gordon developed issues with addiction, telling Rolling Stone in 1985 that he considered himself to be an alcoholic, and admitted to using heroin. By the late ‘70s, after he had confessed to hearing voices in his head, his mother had requested he seek help. “He used to talk to me about hearing voices,” Bobby Whitlock informed Rolling Stone in 2013, “but I told him that it was his consciousness speaking to him. He said it was someone else. Evidently he never stopped or even lightened up on his drug and alcohol intake. “The end result was the destruction of his family.” As Gordon’s mental health deteriorated, so did his career. He claimed to often hear his mum’s voice, and despite a number of medical interventions, he never maintained a consistent treatment schedule. And in June 1983, his mother paid the price, when Gordon fatally struck the 71-year-old Osa Marie Gordon with a hammer and knife. In the wake of her murder, Gordon was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and sentenced to his 16-years-to-life in prison. In 2018, he was deemed to still pose “an unreasonable risk of threat to public safety.” However, those who had known and worked with Gordon before the dark period of his life wanted to pay tribute to the late drummer, taking to social media to write of his professional success, citing some of his greatest hits and collaboration. Gordon’s publicist, Eric Alper, did so while confirming the news, adding that he “will be missed.” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Jim Gordon, one of rock’s all-time greatest drummers, has died at the age of 77. Not only did he play in the Wrecking Crew, but also with Derek and the Dominos, Joe Cocker, Gordon Lightfoot, Merle Haggard, Joan Baez, Tom Petty, and hundreds of others, and will be missed. <a href="https://t.co/m3jP5LKaqB">pic.twitter.com/m3jP5LKaqB</a> — Eric Alper 🎧 (@ThatEricAlper) <a href="https://twitter.com/ThatEricAlper/status/1636133384853282818?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2023</a></blockquote> Eric Clapton’s ex-wife - Pattie Boyd - to whom he was married 10 years, paid her respects with a throwback picture of Gordon at a drum kit, writing that she was “sorry to hear of the passing of Jim Gordon.” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> I'm sorry to hear of the passing of Jim Gordon. Some of you will know that Jim co-wrote 'Layla' with Eric when they were both in Derek & The Dominoes. Jim also worked with George on the 'All Things Must Pass' album. RIP <a href="https://t.co/83YPA664yt">pic.twitter.com/83YPA664yt</a> — Pattie Boyd (@thepattieboyd) <a href="https://twitter.com/thepattieboyd/status/1636388726850072576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2023</a></blockquote> Images: Twitter, Getty

Music

New details surrounding Emma Pattison’s prior arrest

Warning: This article contains distressing content that some readers may find confronting. It is now known that Emma Pattison, the headmistress at a private school in the UK who police believe was shot dead by her husband, <a href="https://oversixty.co.nz/news/news/disturbing-new-details-emerge-in-death-of-head-teacher-husband-and-daughter" target="_blank" rel="noopener">made a distress call</a> to a family member just hours before she was discovered. Further to that, new details have emerged that reveal that Mrs Pattison was arrested by Surrey police following a domestic row with her husband, George, seven years ago. Mr Pattison telephoned police one evening just prior to midnight, claiming that Mrs Pattison had slapped him around the face in their home. Only a short time later – two minutes or so – Mr Pattison then called the station back to ask the police officers not to come, saying that the matter was inconsequential and that he had overreacted. However, Surrey police decided to proceed with the home visit to investigate the complaint, and arrested Mrs Pattison on suspicion of common assault. Mrs Pattison was then questioned in the presence of a solicitor, and was subsequently released without charge. While a full investigation <a href="https://oversixty.co.nz/news/news/headmistress-husband-and-daughter-found-dead-on-school-grounds" target="_blank" rel="noopener">into their deaths</a> has commenced, Surrey police are currently refusing to discuss Mrs Pattison’s arrest seven years ago in 2016, stating instead that autopsy results on the bodies of all three of the deceased are expected by the end of the week. Police have yet to disclose the official cause of death, but are confident no one else was involved in the "isolated" incident. Detectives confirmed a firearm registered to George, of which he had a license for, was found at the scene and they are treating the tragedy as a double murder and suicide. Detectives suspect George killed his wife Emma, 45, and little Lettie before taking his own life. Detective Chief Inspector Kimball Edey, senior investigating officer on the case, said, “This is an incredibly traumatic incident and we are working around the clock to investigate and understand the exact circumstances which led to this point." Don't go it alone. Please reach out for help. Lifeline: 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au Headspace: 1800 650 890 or headspace.org.au Image credits: epsomcollege.org.uk

News

Disturbing new details emerge in death of head teacher, husband and daughter

Warning: This article contains distressing content that some readers may find confronting. A headmistress at a private school in the UK made a distress call to a family member just hours before she was found dead, a report has claimed. School principal Emma Pattison, the head teacher of private school Epsom College in Surrey, England, was <a href="https://oversixty.co.nz/news/news/headmistress-husband-and-daughter-found-dead-on-school-grounds" target="_blank" rel="noopener">found dead</a> alongside her 39-year-old husband, George, and seven-year-old daughter Lettie on the school grounds earlier this week. As an investigation into their deaths has commenced, the BBC has reported that Emma made a frantic phone call to a relative with concerns about her partner. By the time the worried relative arrived at the house, which is surrounded by other properties occupied by college staff and is close to the prestigious school’s rifle range, all three were dead. Police have yet to disclose the official cause of their deaths, but are confident no one else was involved in the "isolated" incident. Detectives confirmed a firearm registered to George, of which he had a license for, was found at the scene and they are treating the tragedy as a double murder and suicide. Detectives suspect George killed his wife Emma, 45, and little Lettie before taking his own life. Detective Chief Inspector Kimball Edey, senior investigating officer on the case, said, “This is an incredibly traumatic incident and we are working around the clock to investigate and understand the exact circumstances which led to this point." “We understand the public concern and upset, and we will clarify what we can, when we can, while respecting the right to a level of privacy for the families of those who have lost their lives." The community is reeling from the tragedy, as devastated neighbours who knew the "lovely" family shared how "heartbroken" they are. One person said, “It is just shocking and unimaginable.” Chloe Rathbone, a nursery worker who looked after Lettie, told The Times, “I am utterly so heartbroken over this awful news." “They were such a lovely family and Lettie was perfect in every way, everything you could have wished for in a little girl.” <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">Don't go it alone. Please reach out for help. <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">Lifeline: 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">Headspace: 1800 650 890 or headspace.org.au Image credits: Getty Images / <em style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">epsomcollege.org.uk

News

Police finally reveal motive behind murder of campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay

Police have alleged that the two secret lover campers, Russel Hill and Carol Clay, were "childhood sweethearts" who had started their affair 15 years ago. In a summary of the case against Gregory Lynn, who allegedly killed the pair, police believe that Mr Hill and Ms Clay had rekindled their romance 15 years prior, and would go on regular camping trips to "spend time together". The pair allegedly drifted apart and had children with other partners, according to the documents provided to the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday. Mr Hill was married to another woman for 51 years, and according to the police facts provided to the court, his wife believed that he had gone camping alone. “Those close to them believe that they kept their relationship a secret to spare Hill’s family from distress,” the police statement read. The pair had gone camping in Wonnangatta Valley on March 19 2020, and they vanished sometime after 6 pm the next day. Police alleged that Mr Lynn killed the pair after an altercation over a drone, with Mr Hill fatally stabbed and Ms Clay shot in the head. Police also believed that he returned to the area in May and November 2020 to try and "destroy" evidence by setting the pair's remains on fire. Their bodies were buried around 40km from the campsite in Dargo on November 2021. Mr Lynn was in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court this week for a committal hearing to decide whether there is enough evidence for him to stand trial in the Supreme Court. Images: Victoria Police

News

Reward in mystery murder of billionaire couple tops $52 million

The deaths of Canadian billionaires Barry and Honey Sherman have been a mystery right from the start. On December 15, 2017, a realtor giving a tour of the couple's Toronto mansion around midday discovered their bodies, fully dressed, beside their indoor basement swimming pool. They were semi-seated side by side, with belts tied around their necks and attached to the railing of the indoor pool according to police. Barry Sherman was 75 and his wife Honey was 70. The story made headlines across the globe, as police called the deaths suspicious. Theories have swirled about who might have wanted to kill the founder of Canadian generic drug giant Apotex and his philanthropic wife – being one of Canada's richest couples. Investigators have worked to connect the dots however, five years later, no arrests have been made. On this week's anniversary of the killings, the Shermans' son offered an additional $25 million (A$37 million) for information leading to an arrest. The reward is now $52 million. "This week marks the five-year anniversary since my parents were murdered in their home. Every day since then has been a nightmare. I have been overwhelmed with pain, loss, and sorrow and these feelings only continuously compound," Jonathon Sherman said in a statement announcing the reward money. "Closure will not be possible until those responsible for this evil act are brought to justice," he added. The victims' prominence meant the case was high profile from the start. At the time of his death, Forbes estimated Barry was worth $4.5 billion. The Shermans' wealth, vast investments and philanthropy work saw them cross paths with Canada's business and political elites, their funeral was attended by thousands of people, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Kathleen Wynne, premier of the province of Ontario. At the service an emotional Jonathon Sherman took the stage, with his three sisters, and slammed speculation that their parents died by suicide. Police later concluded someone had killed them, only six weeks after the bodies were found, Toronto police announced a review of evidence showed they were victims of a homicide, saying they believed the couple was targeted. With no forced signs of entry to the property, it's possible someone had a key, had access to the lockbox that held the keys or was known to the couple, Gomes said. In 2021, police asked for help identifying a shadowy suspect. After years of silence, police made a shocking announcement on the fourth anniversary of the couple's deaths last year, sharing a video of a shadowy person caught on security video walking on the snow-covered sidewalks in the couple's North York neighborhood. The Sherman children say the lack of answers adds to their grief. It's been five years since the murders and there have been no major developments. True crime podcasts have even have tried to unravel intrigue surrounding the deaths. In a statement to the CBC, her brother, Jonathon Sherman, echoed the same sentiment, saying the family will never get closure until the killer is brought to justice. The siblings reminded the public of the $52 million in reward money and pleaded for anyone with information to contact the Toronto Police Service. Image: AP

Legal

"It's okay, we will see sissy soon": Athena Strand's mother shares heartbreak

The mother of Athena Strand, the little girl who was kidnapped and murdered by a FedEx driver, has shared a heartbreaking tribute to her seven-year-old daughter. Maitlyn Gandy shared a video showing her youngest daughter, Rye, crying for her ‘Sissy’ who had gone to spend time with her father and stepmother in Texas before returning to her mother and sister in Comanche, Oklahoma, for Christmas. Dated November 27, the video was taken just three days before Athena was reported missing and five days before she was found dead. The short clip shows Rye crying and “begging for her sissy” in a car booster seat, with Gandy writing that her young daughter’s feelings of missing her sissy have been extended “indefinitely”. “That video of Rye begging for her sissy was Sunday 11/27 when we thought sissy would only be gone a few days,” Gandy wrote. “I kept telling her, ‘It’s okay, we will see sissy soon’, not knowing how twisted our lives would become. I took it because she does this anytime she think sissy is going somewhere without her. She cried for thirty minutes straight in the car until she cried herself to sleep. “This monster has now extended those feelings for my youngest daughter indefinitely.” In previous posts, Gandy shared that Athena’s favourite colour was pink, describing her as an “innocent, beautiful kid” and “the brighest happiest soul you could ever meet”. <iframe style="overflow: hidden; border: initial none initial;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpermalink.php%3Fstory_fbid%3Dpfbid05rc5eJC8QQ2hgJaCBQmj9YPoxCYagdPZzrxWvcKk9TvLeio7QvrHyZYAZ4jZafbvl%26id%3D100004852725773&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="761" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> “She was perfect from her creation. She was born perfect and too beautiful. Daddy and mommy were scared of how beautiful she has always been and we feel like we failed you,” Gandy wrote, along with photos of a smiling Athena. “No one deserves what happened to you, but especially you. I love you and love doesn’t even cover it. Mommy is broken without you.” In another post, she said she didn’t want her daughter to be known as “the one murdered and discarded by a monster”. “I want everyone to know, every single person in this world, that this is my baby and my baby was taken from me,” she wrote. Athena was snatched from the driveway of her family’s home in Paradise, Texas, by Tanner Lynn Horner on Wednesday afternoon. According to the Wise County Sheriff’s Office, Athena was dropped off from school at 4.30pm and was outside her home after an argument with her stepmother when Horner delievered a package to the house. When Athena didn’t come back inside, her stepmother reported her missing to police that evening. She was found dead 10 miles away on Friday. The 31-year-old has since been charged with aggravated murder and kidnapping, with Wise County sheriff Lane Akin describing the tragedy as a “crime of opportunity”. Police said Horner, who is being held on a $1.5 million bond, likely killed Athena within an hour of her kidnapping. <iframe style="overflow: hidden; border: initial none initial;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpermalink.php%3Fstory_fbid%3Dpfbid0YtRfBoAg5MkGPLwgrYQTb7KK8iiFJeu4Y2XsJxSH4NXD39Jzdb1Ff4TB53BERcMCl%26id%3D100004852725773&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="675" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> A tip-off and Horner’s FedEx delivery route that day helped police connected the driver to Athena’s murder. Horner confessed shortly after being apprehended and is the only suspect authorities believe is responsible. On Monday, residents in Texas and Comanche, Oklahoma, were asked to wear pink to celebrate Athena’s life, with the request in Wise County coming from local judge J.D. Clark. “My heart is so heavy about Athena. Additionally, I encourage everyone to join me at 6:30pm on Monday on the Courthouse steps to pray for Athena, her family, our first responders and our community,” Clark said. At the vigil, local resident Kayla McConnell told WFAA that the whole community had been impacted by Athena’s death and would be supporting the family as they grieved. “In a small town like this, you don't think of anything like this ever. Nothing compares to the pain that [the family is] going through. But this entire community has felt this,” she said. “And we're all there with them. And we will support them and we will remember Athena every time we even see pink.” In a statement on Friday night, FedEx expressed their condolences for the family “during this most difficult time”, “Words cannot describe our shock at the reports surrounding this tragic event. First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family during this most difficult time.” Image: Facebook

Family & Pets

The most common deathbed regret that can change your perspective on life

A healthcare professional has shared the most common life regret she hears from people who are on their deathbed. Camilla Rowland, CEO of Palliative Care Australia, said that "death is the last taboo" in this age of over-sharing online, and is trying to break down that stigma by helping people reevaluate how they go about their day-to-day lives. She told <a href="https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/surprisingly-common-deathbed-regret-that-could-change-how-you-live/news-story/209319c4137122812f0e91e52b38cb6c" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a>, “We’ve become so great at discussing things that used to be taboo, but we’ve lost the ability to talk about death with one another.” After a 30-year career in palliative care, Ms Rowland said there is one regret she hears continuously from people who are at the end of their life. “Without a doubt, the regret I’ve heard time and time again is that people wish they’d spent less time working, and more time with the people they love,” she says. “The other thing people might find surprising is that money doesn’t seem to have any effect on the way you look back at your life at the end." “I once looked after an incredibly wealthy man at the end of his life and he had been one of those really busy guys – working 18 hours a day, achieving great success." “I remember him saying to me: ‘You know what? I would give up all my boats, my houses, everything that I have just to have spent more time with my kids when they were young.’ I heard that time and time again from people." “No matter which walk of life they were from, it was the quality of their relationships that mattered above all else.” While Ms Rowland knows that talking about death and the end of our lives is a morbid, difficult topic, she says it's important to have those discussions with the people closest to us. Having these conversations can help us share our end-of-life wishes with our family and friends, but also help us learn how to truly appreciate life from the people who came before us. “When I think of those common deathbed regrets that pop up repeatedly, it’s a great reminder for us all to live more in the moment, with the people who matter most.” Image credits: Getty Images

Caring

Murder conviction overturned for podcast star

A US judge has overturned the high profile murder conviction of Adnan Syed, who served more that 20 years behind bars for the death of his ex-girlfriend. Th 42-year-old's case shot to fame when he became the subject of the Serial podcast, which went on to gain worldwide notoriety. Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa Phinn vacated the conviction of Syed, who had been serving a life sentence since 2000 for the 1999 murder of Hae Min Lee. Phinn ordered Syed to be immediately released on his own recognisance “in the interests of justice and fairness”. The body of Hae Min Lee was found buried in February 1999 in a shallow grave in the woods of Baltimore, Maryland, with the autopsy revealing the cause of death for the 18-year-old was strangulation. Throughout his multiple appeals of the guilty verdict, Syed maintained his innocence, while his appeals were continuously denied, including by the US Supreme Court which declined in 2019 to hear his case. In a surprising move last week, the Baltimore City state’s attorney, Marilyn Mosby, announced that she had asked a judge to vacate Syed’s conviction while a further investigation is carried out. Assistant state’s attorney Becky Feldman told the judge that the decision was prompted by the discovery of new information regarding two alternative suspects and the unreliability of mobile phone data used to convict Syed. “The state has lost confidence in the integrity of his conviction,” Feldman said. “We need to make sure we hold the correct person accountable. “We will be continuing our investigation,” she said, while promising to “do everything we can to bring justice to the Lee family.” Prosecutors now have 30 days to either bring new charges or dismiss the case. Image credits: Getty Images

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Rebel Wilson's shocking weight loss confession

Woman allegedly murders great-aunt with spaghetti

"I just don't like old skin": Jane Fonda's bizarre confession

Woman launches true crime podcast to find her father's killer

Bruce Willis' wife's devastating confession

Why this pilot was charged with 83 counts of attempted murder

Adele's candid baby confession mid-concert

Rob Lowe's West Wing confession

5 juicy confessions from cruise crew members

Murder charge levelled at children's book author

Family Feud contestant charged with wife’s murder

“This is disgusting”: Mural for murdered women defaced with graffiti

Murderer and Eric Clapton drummer dies at 77

New details surrounding Emma Pattison’s prior arrest

Disturbing new details emerge in death of head teacher, husband and daughter

Police finally reveal motive behind murder of campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay

Reward in mystery murder of billionaire couple tops $52 million

"It's okay, we will see sissy soon": Athena Strand's mother shares heartbreak

The most common deathbed regret that can change your perspective on life

Murder conviction overturned for podcast star

News

Shop

Catalogues

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Entertainment

Property

Information

Keep up to date

Search

Rebel Wilson's shocking weight loss confession

Woman allegedly murders great-aunt with spaghetti

"I just don't like old skin": Jane Fonda's bizarre confession

Woman launches true crime podcast to find her father's killer

Bruce Willis' wife's devastating confession

Why this pilot was charged with 83 counts of attempted murder

Adele's candid baby confession mid-concert

Rob Lowe's West Wing confession

5 juicy confessions from cruise crew members

Murder charge levelled at children's book author

Family Feud contestant charged with wife’s murder

“This is disgusting”: Mural for murdered women defaced with graffiti

Murderer and Eric Clapton drummer dies at 77

New details surrounding Emma Pattison’s prior arrest

Disturbing new details emerge in death of head teacher, husband and daughter

Police finally reveal motive behind murder of campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay

Reward in mystery murder of billionaire couple tops $52 million

"It's okay, we will see sissy soon": Athena Strand's mother shares heartbreak

The most common deathbed regret that can change your perspective on life

Murder conviction overturned for podcast star

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