Search

Clint Eastwood's partner's cause of death revealed

The cause of death of Clint Eastwood's partner has been revealed, just days after the actor addressed her tragic passing. Christina Sandera, Eastwood's partner of 10 years, died suddenly on July 18th at just 61 years of age. Now, a representative from the Monterey County Health Department confirmed to <a href="https://nypost.com/2024/07/23/entertainment/clint-eastwoods-partner-christina-sanderas-cause-of-death-revealed/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The New York Post</a> that Sandera died of a heart attack. The death certificate listed her immediate cause as cardiac arrhythmia, which is an abnormality in the timing or pattern of the heartbeat. Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease was also outlined as an additional condition that led to Sandera’s death. Eastwood addressed the passing of his partner after the Hollywood Reporter confirmed her death, with the actor writing, “Christina was a lovely, caring woman, and I will miss her very much.” The pair met when Sandera worked as a hostess at a hotel and restaurant owned by the actor in California, before they started dating in 2014. The couple largely kept their romance out of the public eye with Sandera only attended a handful of events with the Hollywood icon during their 10-year relationship. The couple, who never married, walked their last red carpet together in November 2019 at AFI Fest in Hollywood. One of Eastwood's children from a previous marriage Morgan, 27, paid tribute to her father’s longtime love on Sunday by sharing a photo of herself, her father and Eastwood and her wedding, writing, “A devastating loss for our whole family. Thank you Christina for being a good partner to my Dad ❤️ you will be greatly missed.” Image credits: John McCoy/UPI/Shutterstock Editorial

Caring

Hero father who died trying to save his daughters identified

Tributes have flowed for the 40-year-old man who tragically <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/father-remembered-for-instinctive-act-of-bravery-before-train-tragedy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">died</a> while trying to save his daughters after their pram rolled onto train tracks in Sydney’s south. Anand Runwal, who worked at an IT firm in North Sydney, and his two-year-old daughter were killed during the heroic rescue. Mr Runwal, his wife Poonam and their two children had only lived in Sydney for nine months, after relocating from India last October. A fundraiser has been set up for the grieving family who are facing “unimaginable grief and trauma” following the tragic incident. “The father’s selfless act of bravery has left the local community in shock and mourning. The family, part of the local Indian community, is now facing unimaginable grief and trauma. The 39-year-old mother witnessed the horrifying incident and is struggling to cope with the loss of her husband and daughter,” the fundraiser read. “In the wake of this devastating accident, we are reaching out to the community for support. The funds raised will go directly to the family to cover funeral costs, medical expenses for the surviving daughter, and ongoing support for the grieving mother.” “This is an incredibly difficult time for them, and any contribution, no matter how small, will make a significant difference.” Sreyas Gopalakrishnan Thottarath, a school friend of Mr Runwal, expressed his condolences in a tribute on social media, writing, “Dear friends, it is with a heavy heart that I share the tragic news of the untimely passing of Anand Runwal ( From 1999 Batch) and his daughter.” “Our deepest condolences go out to their family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.May their souls rest in peace.” NSW Police Superintendent Paul Dunstan was one of many who praised Runwal’s "brave and heroic" act, saying, “He’s gone into parent mode and tried to save his two young daughters that have fallen onto the tracks and in doing so it’s cost his life, but it’s an incredibly brave and heroic act." Image credits: Facebook

Caring

Tributes flow for Bob Newhart

Bob Newhart has died aged 94. The comedian and actor was best known for the television shows, The Bob Newhart Show and Newhart, and also starred in Elf and Big Bang Theory. His publicist, Jerry Digney confirmed that Newhart died in Los Angeles on Thursday morning local time, following a series of short illnesses. Digney called the star's passing the “end of an era in comedy”. Tributes have been pouring in for the "truly one-of-a-kind" talent, with Newhart co-star Julia Duffy sharing a special tribute on X, alongside an old cast photo. "Second most important man in my life," she began, while also referencing the loss of her son. "Glad they're together but I feel so alone now. #RIPBOB. How I will miss being teased. I love you." <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Second most important man in my life. Glad they're together but I feel so alone now. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIPBOB?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RIPBOB</a>. How I will miss being teased. I love you.💔 <a href="https://t.co/edXgWzSfgX">pic.twitter.com/edXgWzSfgX</a> — julia duffy (@mybadauditions) <a href="https://twitter.com/mybadauditions/status/1814027810606116901?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 18, 2024</a></blockquote> Star Wars actor Mark Hamill also took the platform to share his condolences. "From his groundbreaking stand-up to his two classic sitcoms he gave us a lifetime of laughter," he wrote alongside an image of Newhart. "Truly one-of-a-kind. Thank you Bob Newhart! #RIP." <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> From his groundbreaking stand-up to his two classic sitcoms he gave us a lifetime of laughter. Truly one-of-a-kind. Thank you Bob Newhart!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIP?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RIP</a> <a href="https://t.co/NlkJNuOw80">pic.twitter.com/NlkJNuOw80</a> — Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkHamill/status/1814041289664684351?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 18, 2024</a></blockquote> Bill Prady, the co-creator of The Big Bang Theory also paid tribute to the actor and shared what a delight it was to work with the comedian. "Hard to explain how important Bob Newhart was to every comedian and comedy writer who came after him," he wrote in a tribute, with a photo of the pair. "Working with him ever so briefly was one of the greatest joys and honors of my life." <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Hard to explain how important Bob Newhart was to every comedian and comedy writer who came after him. Working with him ever so briefly was one of the greatest joys and honors of my life <a href="https://t.co/RjKIpfhF8T">pic.twitter.com/RjKIpfhF8T</a> — Bill Prady ⚛️ (@billprady) <a href="https://twitter.com/billprady/status/1814034719258079475?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 18, 2024</a></blockquote> Newhart was originally an accountant and advertising copywriter. He first rose to fame in the 1960's following the release of his comedy album, The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart, which was one of the best-selling albums of the year, and landed him a Grammy Award. In 1972, The Bob Newhart Show debuted, and ten years later, he debuted Newhart, which still has one of the most famous series finale in TV history, for the unexpected twist that tied the two shows together. Newhart was also a frequent guest and regular fill-in host on the Tonight Show during that era. Images: Jim Ruymen/UPI/ Shutterstock Editorial

Caring

Motive and cause of death revealed after six found dead in luxury hotel

Six people found dead in a luxury hotel room in central Bangkok are believed to have died due to poisoning, according to Thai police. Authorities shared photo of the teacups found in the room on the fifth floor of the hotel, revealing they found traces of cyanide in the cups. The bodies of two American and four Vietnamese nationals were found by hotel staff on Tuesday evening, after staff entered the room to inform them it was past check out time. The group, made up of three men and three women aged between 37 and 56, likely drank from tea and coffee cups laced with cyanide following a dispute linked to bad investments, Thai police said on Wednesday. Photos of the crime scene released by authorities show a lack of struggle and violence, instead showing bodies scattered around the room among plates of untouched food, and two thermos flasks and cups. Initial examinations revealed the presence of cyanide in six cups, according to police. “The mouths and nails on all the bodies turned purple, showing a lack of air could be a joint reason of the cause of the death,” forensic doctor Kornkiat Vongpaisarnsin, told a press conference at the Chulalongkorn University. “We presume they all died from cyanide which causes a lack of air in some organs,” he added. Authorities initially said they were searching for a seventh person who was part of the hotel booking, but on Wednesday they dismissed this line of inquiry, saying they believe one of the dead people poisoned the others with the deadly fast-acting chemical cyanide. “We are convinced that one of the six people found dead committed this crime,” said Noppasil Poonsawas, a deputy commander of Bangkok police. That person, police said, had ordered the food and tea to the room and “looked under stress” when staff arrived. After conducting interviews with hotel staff, Noppasin said one of the members of the group was alone in the room when the food arrived and was later joined by the other guests. He added that the incident was likely linked to a “personal matter” and not related to organised crime as interviews carried out with relatives of the dead indicated a dispute over debt. “One of the relatives said one of the deceased was an investment agent and all (the deceased) invested, but the business was not going as expected. They made an appointment to discuss the matter in Thailand,” Noppasin said. Police believe that the woman who poisoned the group did so after she accrued huge debts related to an investment in a hospital in Japan, according to police sources cited by Vietnamese media. She had allegedly convinced a married couple and two other victims among the dead to pour funds into the project, but they had reportedly lost roughly $280,000 AUD as a result. Tran Dinh Dung, the father of one of the victims, said his 37-year-old son was due to return to Vietnam last Sunday. “I kept calling him but couldn’t get through so I was very worried, but I didn’t expect him to die in Thailand,” Dung said in an interview with Vietnam’s Thanh Nien newspaper. “Phu’s mother has fainted countless times, she could not bear this shock,” he said. Image credits: AFP/Anusak Laowilas/NurPhoto/Shutterstock Editorial

Legal

Six people found dead in luxury hotel

A disturbing theory has emerged after six people were found dead in a luxury hotel room in central Bangkok. According to Bangkok’s Metropolitan Police commissioner Thiti Saengsawang, hotel staff at the Grand Hyatt Erawan discovered the bodies of six people in a fifth-floor room after they missed check out time by more than 24 hours. After concluding that the incident did not appear to be a robbery and none of the bodies showed any signs of physical violence, Thai Police are exploring the possibility that the people were poisoned. Police shared that they "needed to find out the motives", and that the deaths were the result of a "killing", not a suicide. Authorities conformed they are investigating the potential poisoning after Thiti said cups with traces of a white powder were located in the room, along with untouched food that had been ordered earlier. As police continue their investigation into the shocking deaths, they are currently searching for a seventh person who was part of the hotel booking and is now a possible suspect. Two of the dead were US citizens of Vietnamese background, while the other four were Vietnamese nationals. Thiti said police believe one member of the group had tried to reach the door to escape but fell and died before they could get there. The Thai government issued a statement after the killings, with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin saying, "There were no signs of a struggle," adding, "We need to conduct an autopsy." He also "ordered all agencies to urgently take action to avoid impact on tourism,” given that the luxury hotel is situated in a popular tourist area. Image credits: BBC / Royal Thai Police

Travel Trouble

Rising star footy player dies at just 18

Rising football star Nick Campo has tragically died just two days after his 18th birthday. The South Fremantle player was in the backseat of a ute when it crashed and rolled just before midnight in Perth, before the ute smashed into an oncoming SUV. Two of Campo's teammates, Tyler Rowe and Josh Jackson, were also in the ute and were taken to hospital with injuries. Cameron Britt, CEO of South Fremantle, said the club was in "deep shock" following the sudden tragedy. "South Fremantle Football Club is deeply saddened by news of a car accident overnight involving several of our Colts players, resulting in the tragic death of South Fremantle footballer Nick Campo," he said. "We are a club in deep shock, focused upon supporting our players, staff and their families in these tragic circumstances." Campo's parents have also shared their heartbreak following the accident, saying their lives had been "ripped apart" by the sudden loss. "In the early hours of this morning our beautiful son Nick passed away after he was involved in a tragic car accident," they said on Facebook. "Our lives have been ripped apart, 18 years old, a future with so much hope taken away, we are praying others in the car involved will be ok." In Kalgoorlie, where Campo spent his childhood, his former club described him as "a popular friend to many" with a "life full of promise that was taken way too soon". Image credits: Nine

Caring

"Force of nature": Tributes flow for Shannen Doherty

Shannen Doherty has passed away aged 53. The beloved actress, known for her roles on Little House on the Prairie, Charmed and 90210, died over the weekend following a nine-year battle with breast cancer. Doherty's death was confirmed by her publicist, Leslie Sloane, who said in a statement: "It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty. On Saturday, July 13, she lost her battle with cancer after many years of fighting the disease." "The devoted daughter, sister, aunt and friend was surrounded by her loved ones as well as her dog, Bowie. The family asks for their privacy at this time so they can grieve in peace." Tributes have flowed in for Doherty from friends, co-stars and loved ones, who have remembered her as a "force of nature". "Shannen Doherty had the heart of a lion," fellow Charmed co-star Rose McGowan wrote in a tribute shared to Instagram. "Passion for craft is often mislabelled as trouble. Shannen was passion," McGowan continued. "I met her in the 90s and was awed. Getting to really know her later in life, a beautiful gift. This woman fought to live," McGowan added, before praising Doherty's work ethic which was "inspiring to the end". "Shannen's great love for directing, for acting, Holly [Marie Combs], her friends, her parents, dog and her beloved fans was legendary." "Our lives had been intertwined in a unique way. We laughed at dark forces who wanted us to hate each other, instead we chose love and respect. A soft-hearted badass as there ever was. A force of energy that will live forever in hearts," McGowan wrote. "Rest now warrior, we will never forget you dear sister." <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9aLxGVvLH_/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9aLxGVvLH_/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Rose McGowan (@rosemcgowan)</a> </div> </blockquote> Fellow Charmed co-star Alyssa Milano - who Doherty had a complicated relationship with - also paid tribute to her via a statement shared with People. "It's no secret that Shannen and I had a complicated relationship, but at its core was someone I deeply respected and was in awe of," Milano wrote. "She was a talented actress, beloved by many and the world is less without her. My condolences to all who loved her," she concluded. Meanwhile, actress Olivia Munn, who bonded with Doherty over their shared breast cancer battle, shared a lengthy tribute to her Instagram story. "I am absolutely heartbroken over the passing of Shannen Doherty. When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer I remembered how she bravely let the world into her journey and reached out to her," Munn wrote. "We became instant friends – which I honestly couldn't comprehend at times because watching her on 90210 was everything to me when I was 10." "Looking back on the last text she sent me just a couple months ago, she asked how I was doing and if she could do anything for me.... True to form, Shannen was offering her support even though she was in the final stages of fighting this horrific disease," Munn continued. "Cancer is really f---ing scary and Shannen faced it with such dignity, strength and grace. "I'm sending all my love to her mother who was her best friend, hero and champion every step of the way. Fly so high, my friend 💔💔💔💔". Doherty's Beverly Hills and 90210 co-star Jason Priestly described her as a "force of nature" in an Instagram post. "I will miss her," he wrote. "Sending love and light to her family in this dark time." "Shocked and saddened by news of Shannen Doherty's death," Carol Potter, who played her on-screen mum in 90210, wrote on Instagram. "What a journey she has been on! Gone too soon. Throughout, she stayed true to herself and gave us an example of courage and perseverance in facing her own death. May she rest in peace.❤️🙏" Images: Instagram

Caring

Hospice nurse reveals the key to a peaceful death

Hospice nurse Julie McFadden has shared her best advice for ensuring a peaceful death, after learning from her patients in their final moments. The healthcare professional, who is known for her YouTube channel where she shares information about death to break the taboo of conversations around dying, shared a video about what you can do in life to ensure a peaceful passing. In the recent clip, she shared what you can do in order to have a peaceful death, and she says it comes down to preparedness and acceptance. "That's one of the biggest things I see," she explained. "People who plan for death will tend to have a more peaceful death than those who do not plan for death." "A prepared death versus a non-prepared death - that's the one thing that I've seen in all of my patients," she explained. Julie said she noticed the patients that were "willing to talk about the hard stuff" had a more peaceful death. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qoFvKkfIo00?si=Ba5BnxuaKsBVaGAe" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> "[That means] willing to ask the questions about, 'how long do you think I have? What can I expect? What should I do before I die to make this easier for my family?'" she listed. Julie went on to share a story of when a patient of hers died peacefully surrounded by his family, explaining that the patient was in hospice and had started to decline around 20 minutes after she arrived. "He started having weird changes in breathing, so this was a sudden decline and it looked like he may suddenly die," she recalled, adding the abrupt change was "uncommon actually" in hospice care. "What I noticed was because this family - and him - were so prepared, instead of the family [being] chaotic and reacting in an emotional way - which is very normal - they flipped along right with him," she explained. "[They laid] in bed with him. They understood immediately what was happening. They didn't panic," she shared. Julie said the man was surrounded by his loving family and it was an overwhelmingly emotional experience. "It makes me cry every time I think about it - that vision of them all being able to understand what was happening, even though it was a change they didn't want," she explained. "By the end of that visit he died, so he went from kind of looking okay to dying which is hard - but that family made it a beautiful moment," she said. Image credits: YouTube

Caring

Today Show entertainment reporter's cause of death revealed

Beloved Today show and KTLA entertainment reporter Sam Rubin's cause of death has been revealed, two months after his sudden <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/legendary-today-show-reporter-dies-unexpectedly" target="_blank" rel="noopener">passing</a>. The 64-year-old died in May with a new report from medical officials finding he died from a heart attack after he suffered a massive blockage to his coronary artery. Just hours after hosting his Hollywood news segment in the morning of May 10th, Rubin was rushed to home after collapsing in his Los Angeles home. The multi-Emmy Award winner was a renowned figure in the news industry on the West Coast, and had covered entertainment, movies and TV for KTLA since 1991. He was also well-known in Australia as a contributor to Channel Nine's Today show and Today Extra, and in the UK where he appeared on This Morning. Following his death, Karl Stefanovic paid tribute to his colleague on Instagram, saying he "adored every second with Sam on air and off over the past two decades". "His spirit. His laugh. His warm caring nature. He was a beautiful man. What a loss. All love to his family, and to his TV family at KTLA5 News." Today Extra host David Campbell also paid tribute to Rubin, calling him a "Hollywood great". "He had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the industry," Campbell posted on social media. "For years we would cross to him and gossip and laugh," he said. "He would visit us Down Under, and whenever you were in LA you had to catch up. His loss is profound. My love and condolences to his family whom he adored." <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';">"Also his KTLA team who have lost a brother. We will cross back to you some other time Sam." Image credits: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock Editorial

Caring

Police Commissioner opens up about his son's tragic death

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens and his wife Emma have opened up on their heart-breaking loss, sharing how they are still grieving the loss of their son eight months after his <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/police-commissioner-s-son-killed-during-schoolies-week" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tragic passing</a>. Charlie Stevens was celebrating schoolies when he was killed in a hit-and-run accident, causing a brain injury that he wouldn't wake up from. He died a day after the accident on November 17th 2023 and was just 18 years old. Now, his distraught parents have spoken candidly about their last moments with their son. "It was good to spend time with him, but the hardest thing was leaving for the last time," Grant told <a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/60-minutes/charlie-stevens-south-australias-police-commissioner-opens-up-about-young-sons-tragic-death/c1ceaf2c-c2a4-492d-998e-1cc5e32ed29b" target="_blank" rel="noopener">60 Minutes</a>. Through tears, Emma shared her last words to her youngest born. "I just said, 'I love you. You're my baby, and you always will be'," she said. "You know, that's just ... it's devastating," Grant added. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9I8g22yZfs/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9I8g22yZfs/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by 60 Minutes Australia (@60minutes9)</a> </div> </blockquote> The commissioner and his wife shared that it was not difficult to forgive the young man who caused the death of their son, as the driver, Dhirren Randhawa, was only 18 years old as well. "I think being a parent, being a mum of an 18-year-old, they're not that smart. They're 18," Emma said. "And I look at it and I think it also could have been Charlie." Randhawa, who had no alcohol or drugs in his system at the time of the crash, was initially charged with causing death by dangerous driving, aggravated driving without due care, leaving the scene of a crash after death and failing to truly answer questions but, in reaching a plea deal, has admitted to a charge of aggravated driving without due care and leaving the scene of a crash. His admission of guilt to those two lesser charges has avoided the pain of going to trial, and instead faces court again next month for sentencing. Randhawa wrote a letter to the Stevens' apologising for his actions that caused the loss of their son, as Emma said, "And he’s written it, and that it’s words from an 18-year-old. I don’t think he’s been sat down and told what to write." “I think it’s him. In fact, I’m not so sure Charlie would be able to write something quite as good as that.” Grant added, "We're grateful that Dhirren has pleaded guilty. It gives us some understanding of his acceptance of his responsibility." "We appreciate it, we appreciate the fact that he's given us that apology." After Charlie's death, Grant and Emma asked mourners to channel their grief into donations for Operation Flinders, an outback adventure therapy program that has helped 10,000 at-risk teenagers. The response to Grant and Emma's request has been overwhelming, with close to $220,000 so far raised in Charlie's name. "He had an impact on so many, so many people but this is a way that he will continue to have a really positive impact on kids who will never even know about him," Grant proudly said. Image credits: 60 Minutes

Family & Pets

Tributes flow for Oscar-winning writer of Chinatown and Mission Impossible

Robert Towne has passed away aged 89. Towne was nominated for four Oscars during his career. He won an Oscar for writing the 1974 crime and corruption thriller Chinatown starring Jack Nicholson as a private detective. He has been remembered as one of Hollywood's greatest screenwriters, with people from the film industry paying tribute to him online. Lee Grant, who won best supporting actress for her role in Shampoo, which Towne co-wrote, paid tribute to him on X. "His life, like the characters he created, was incisive, iconoclastic & entirely originally [sic]," she wrote. "He gave me the gift of Shampoo. He gave all of us the gift of his words & his films. There isn’t another like him. There won’t be again." The American Film Institute also paid tribute to him on X: "From writing masterpieces like Chinatown, Shampoo & countless others, his influence is everlasting." Towne was also regarded for his role as a script doctor - fixing or adding to existing scripts like Bonnie and Clyde and The Godfather. While he didn't get an official credit, The Godfather's writer-director Francis Ford Coppola used his Oscars best adapted screenplay acceptance speech to thank him for writing a pivotal "very beautiful" scene between Al Pacino and Marlon Brando's characters. "That was Bob Towne's scene," he said during the 1973 ceremony. Towne is survived by his second wife Luisa, and daughters Chiara and Katharine. Image: David Bloomer/Paramount Classics/Kobal/ Shutterstock Editorial

Caring

Husband charged after wife’s tragic golf cart death on Hamilton Island

A husband charged with the death of his wife has shared her chilling last words before she tragically died in a golf cart crash on their honeymoon. Robbie Awad, 32, and his new wife Marina Hanna, 29, were honeymooning in Queensland's Hamilton Island just 10 days after their wedding in June 2022, when the golf cart they were travelling in tipped over. Ms Hana died at the scene after doing into cardiac arrest. Ms Awad, who was driving the golf cart when it crashed and walked away uninjured, has pleaded guilty to three charges including not wearing a seatbelt and using a mobile phone while driving. Appearing in court on Thursday for the first day of his hearing, he pleaded not guilty to the charge of driving without due care and attention causing death. Taking to the witness stand, Mr Awad said the couple had decided to leave the resort to get something to eat before the crash. “We were leaving Qualia [resort] in the buggy, I was driving, I drove toward the exit of Qualia, I waited for the [gates] to open. We drove out of the gates at 5 or 4 km/h,” he said. The 32-year-old told the court that at the time of the crash, he was using his phone to follow directions, even though his wife warned him not to look at his phone while driving. “I was looking for directions on how to travel to the marina.” “My wife said, ‘Get off your phone’. I said, ‘What is the worst that could happen? No worries,’ and I put the phone in my pocket.’” Mr Awad said the couple decided to travel back to their resort after noting that the golf cart wasn't working properly, as it started to slow down when it began travelling up a hill. “I would estimate it was travelling less than walking speed. A very slow walk,” he said. “’By the time I got to the top of the hill, it was barely moving.” “[Once I got to the intersection] I could see it was very steep and I couldn’t see around the bend. I looked straight and saw there were no cars, the buggy was moving one metre every two seconds, so I drove the buggy into the flattest part.” He claimed the buggy accelerated unexpectedly, as he was making the U-turn. “As I was accelerating, I was moving the steering wheel, but because the buggy wasn’t moving, I ended up doing full turns, then I heard ‘vrrrroom’ and the buggy accelerated very quickly,” he said. “I started to have the thought, ‘Oh, the buggy might tip over,’ but by the time I could have finished the thought, it had already tipped over.” Mr Awad’s defence lawyer argued the “tragic accident” was caused by an issue with the battery in the golf buggy. “It fell over and killed his poor wife and he was devastated — and still is,” he said. Image credits: Facebook

Legal

Olympian and former world champ shot dead at 42

South African police have found the body of former Olympian and high jump world champion Jacques Freitag after he was reported missing. Local authorities say that they found the body of the 42-year-old in a field near a cemetery in the city of Pretoria with fatal gunshot wounds, and are treating his death as murder. South African news Netwerk24 reported that a source claims Freitag was allegedly executed, as one of the gunshot wounds was allegedly located in the back of his head. Freitag's sister, Chrissie Lewis, had appealed for help on social media to find her brother, who went missing in the early hours of June 17th after leaving his mother's house. Lewis said he had struggled with drug addiction after his athletics career ended. He was then not seen again until his body was discovered. Freitag won the 2003 world title in Paris and competed at the 2004 Olympics, representing South Africa in high jump. He was among a select group of athletes to win world titles at youth, junior and senior level, as World Athletics called Freitag “a prodigious athlete”. He won the high jump at the 1999 Youth World Championships in Poland, the Junior World Champs in Chile in 2000 and the Senior's in France in 2003. In 2003, he cleared 2.35m at the Stade de France in Paris to win the gold medal at the IAAF World Championships. He retired from sport in 2013 and was said to have in recent times been sleeping on the streets or friends' couches, having been unable to hold down a full-time job. Image credits: Hahn Lionel/ABACA/Shutterstock Editorial

Caring

Young woman dies on Qantas flight

A young woman has tragically died onboard a Qantas flight from Melbourne to the Indian city of Delhi. Manpreet Kaur, 24, boarded the international flight to visit her family for the first time in four years, but she never made it to her destination. According to a close friend, the student reportedly “felt unwell” hours before arriving at the airport but managed to board the flight without any issues. However, when she went to put on her seatbelt, Ms Kaur apparently fell to the floor and “died on the spot”. The plane was still grounded when Ms Kaur collapsed, as cabin crew and emergency services rushed to help her. “When she got on the plane, she was struggling to put her seatbelt on,” her friend Gurdip Grewal told the <a title="www.heraldsun.com.au" href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/tributes-flow-for-student-who-died-on-qantas-flight-at-melbourne-airport/news-story/aaa561d3d6ab09d15bcf3533312abdab" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-tgev="event119" data-tgev-container="bodylink" data-tgev-order="aaa561d3d6ab09d15bcf3533312abdab" data-tgev-label="news" data-tgev-metric="ev">Herald Sun.</a> “Just before her flight started, she fell in front of her seat and died on the spot.” According to reports from the Herald Sun, it is believed Ms Kaur died of tuberculosis, an infectious disease that mostly affects the lungs. Her roommate, Kuldeep, said Ms Kaur had worked at Australia Post while studying cooking, with dreams of one day becoming a chef. “She was kind and honest,” she told the publication. “She loved to travel with her friends around Victoria.” A <a title="www.gofundme.com" href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/smksq-manpreet-kaur" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoFundMe</a> page has been created for Ms Kaur to help her family, as the fundraising page reads, “Our dear friend Manpreet left us too soon, leaving a void in our lives that can never be filled.” “As we grieve her passing, we want to come together to honour her memory and support her family in their time of need." “As we say our final goodbyes, every contribution, big or small, brings us closer to our goal. Your support means the world to us and Manpreet’s family.” A Qantas spokesperson told <a href="https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/woman-dies-on-international-qantas-flight/news-story/41934ac049c5f9712e37f3a2680b1e2a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a> that their “thoughts are with her family and loved ones”. Image credits: GoFundMe

Travel Trouble

Daughter of former All Black charged over alleged hit and run death

The daughter of former New Zealand All Black has been charged over an alleged hit and run that left a 65-year-old man dead in Auckland. Helena Jade Cribb, the daughter of Ron Cribb, was charged earlier this year after Jason Collins' body was found by a member of the public on O'Brien Rd, Lucas Heights in the early hours of December 7. The 22-year-old previously had a name suppression, which has now lapsed. Earlier this year, Detective Sergeant Ben Bergin said the driver allegedly involved had been identified not long after Collins' death. "A thorough investigation has been underway into the tragic circumstances by the Waitematā CIB and we have reached a point where charges have been filed," Bergin said. Collins has been remembered as a devoted father, husband and friend. "The tragic loss of Jason has left an unfillable void in our hearts," a statement on behalf of his family read. "...his absence is a constant ache, a relentless reminder of what we've lost. "Taken from us too soon, his departure is a profound and senseless blow that we struggle to comprehend. "Each day is a battle against the overwhelming emptiness left in his wake. "We ask for privacy at this time as we continue to grieve." The 22-year-old reportedly faces a charge of operating a vehicle carelessly, causing death while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. She is set to reappear in court in September. Image: NZ Police

Legal

Distressing twist in sudden death of former MAFS groom

Just days after the shocking death of former Married At First Sight NZ contestant Andrew Jury, shocking new details have emerged about his final weeks before his <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/married-at-first-sight-groom-dies-at-just-33" target="_blank" rel="noopener">passing</a>. The 33-year-old Auckland-based builder passed away in recent weeks, as his untimely death was announced by two of his former MAFS contestants on Sunday. Now, Jury's father Roy confirmed to the <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/married-at-first-sight-nz-groom-andrew-jury-dies/47OQFBCORZHARPILFOEA65N7SE/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New Zealand Herald</a> that his son was on remand in Mt Eden Corrections Facility prison at the time of his death. Andrew had been just hours from a scheduled court appearance, where he was facing charges that included “assault with intent to injure, wilful damage and possession of an offensive weapon.” His father also told the publication that he’d been worried about his son’s mental state ahead of his court hearing, adding that his family were “bewildered” and “deeply saddened” by the tragic turn of events. Roy said that his son had been arrested on April 2nd and had told his relatives he was “struggling” in prison. “It should have been a red flag when Andy stopped communicating with family and friends,” he told the outlet. Andrew's death was announced by former MAFS NZ stars Brett and Angel Renall, and Benjamin Blackwell who wrote a joint statement to the New Zealand Herald to break the news of his passing. “It’s with the heaviest hearts we’ve come together to acknowledge the passing of Andrew Jury,” they said. “We had the absolute pleasure of filming and participating in a show which leaves us intricately linked for a lifetime." “Despite his struggles, Andrew was always friendly and the life of the party during our shared experience, and he really valued his time on the show." “At this time, our entire cast wishes to send our deepest condolences and love to his family.” Image credits: Instagram

Legal

Married at First Sight groom dies at just 33

Former Married At First Sight NZ contestant Andrew Jury has died at the age of 33. The Auckland-based builder passed away in recent weeks, as his untimely death was announced by two of his former MAFS contestants. “It’s with the heaviest hearts we’ve come together to acknowledge the passing of Andrew Jury,” former MAFS NZ stars Brett and Angel Renall, and Benjamin Blackwell wrote in a joint statement, according to the <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/married-at-first-sight-nz-groom-andrew-jury-dies/47OQFBCORZHARPILFOEA65N7SE/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New Zealand Herald</a>. “We had the absolute pleasure of filming and participating in a show which leaves us intricately linked for a lifetime." “Despite his struggles, Andrew was always friendly and the life of the party during our shared experience, and he really valued his time on the show." “At this time, our entire cast wishes to send our deepest condolences and love to his family.” On Sunday, Warner Bros Discovery, broadcaster of MAFS NZ, released a statement about the death. “WBD takes duty of care extremely seriously and has protocols in place regarding the wellbeing of cast and crew,” a spokesperson of the company said. "All MAFS NZ contributors have access to mental health professionals throughout the process, including pre-screening, during production and after broadcast." Jury appeared on the first season of Married At First Sight NZ, which aired in 2017. During his time on the show, he was matched with Vicky Gleeson-Stokes, but the pair were not a perfect fit and did not make it to final vows. Following his appearance on the show, Jury was heavily critical of the TV programme and urged others not to audition. The final straw for the builder, who was 26 at the time, was when local sex worker Lisa Lewis announced she had been short-listed to appear in the season after Jury’s. “It’s unethical how they’re going about these things,” he told the <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/married-at-first-sight-star-andrew-jury-bags-show-and-warns-other-kiwis-from-applying-after-lisa-lewis-announcement/QULDBF6S4SHDOEOBUSZIPY3FXU/#:~:text=%22It's%20unethical%20how%20they're,%22experts%22%20to%20match%20couples." target="_blank" rel="noopener">New Zealand Herald </a>at the time. “You can’t get an escort on this show. You can’t do that to a guy.” The former contestant said he and his fellow participants were hopeful in finding love when going on the show, but he believed it was all a stitch-up from day one. “They [the contestants] are the most amazing people on the show, they put their hearts on the line and they all got burned,” he continued. “I make great TV, but my wife and me were not matched in the slightest. She’s a princess, I’m a bogan. How can they say it’s a legit process when you get the complete opposite of what you want?” Image credits: Instagram

Caring

Country singer dies aged 79

Country singer Kinky Friedman has passed away aged 79. A post shared on his social media account confirmed the news that he was surrounded by family and friends before his death. “Kinky Friedman stepped on a rainbow at his beloved Echo Hill surrounded by family and friends,” the post read. “Kinkster endured tremendous pain and unthinkable loss in recent years but he never lost his fighting spirit and quick wit. Kinky will live on as his books are read and his songs are sung.” The musician, whose real name is Richard Samet Friedman, developed a cult following for his unique and quirky approach to country and Western music. His first album Sold American was released in 1973, and he also toured with Bob Dylan on his Rolling Thunder Revue. Outside of his music career, Friedman was also a writer, penning detective novels and a working as a columnist for Texas Monthly. He published his first book Elvis, Jesus and Coca-Cola: A Novel in 1994 and ten years later published his second one, Kinky Friedman’s Guide to Texas Etiquette: Or How to Get to Heaven or Hell Without Going Through Dallas-Fort Worth. In 2006 he dabbled in politics, running for the Governor of Texas and received 12.6 per cent of the votes among six candidates. He also helped run the Echo Hill Gold Star Camp for children, with his sister Marcie. Kent Perkins, a longtime friend of Friedman, paid tribute to the musician on social media. “Somewhere in heaven,” he wrote, “I’m sure there’s a quiet corner with a big easy chair, a bright floor lamp, a big stack of biographical books, and a few old dogs wagging their tails to the faint smell of cigar smoke.” Image: Rick Diamond/ Shutterstock Editorial

Caring

Daughter stunned by little-known iPhone feature after father's sudden death

Queensland woman Carrie Payne was unable to access her father's phone after he died unexpectedly last month due to Apple's policy. The policy is that devices locked with a passcode and therefore protected by passcode encryption, cannot be accessed without erasing the contents on the device. Apple has refused to create software to hack into the iPhone for security reasons, and for grieving families who don't have access to their loved one's phones, this could mean that hundreds of photos and memories could be lost. After losing her father unexpectedly from intracranial haemorrhage, Payne did not have access to his phone, which made it difficult for her to contact his friends and colleagues to inform them of his death. “We also then couldn’t use any of the family photos he may have had on there in his funeral service,” she said. “In the end, we are at peace with things now and haven’t pursued anything. We may still investigate this once we have all the legal documents to confirm his passing/the terms of his estate, but we are weighing this up with his right to privacy in death. The immediacy of needing access has gone, so we are instead focusing on remembering him.” While she has tried almost everything to gain access to the phone, she has had no luck, and now she wants to prevent the same thing from happening to someone else. Payne, an estate planning lawyer, shared the little-known iPhone feature, called a Legacy Contact. This can be set for your Apple ID on an iPhone (starting from iOS 15.2), iPad (iPadOS 15.2) and Mac (macOS 12.1). The Legacy Contact gets access to data stored in your Apple account after your death including iCloud photos, contacts, calendars, messages, mail, voice memos, notes, files stored in iCloud drive, apps you have downloaded and device backups. But, data like payment information and passwords remain off limits. To add a Legacy Contact on your iPhone or iPad, you go to settings, tap your name, tap sign-in & security, and then tap legacy contact. On a Mac, click the Apple menu, then system settings, then Apple ID, then sign-in & security, and legacy contact. After your death, your Legacy Contact will need the access key that you generate when you choose them as your contact and your death certificate. The Legacy Contact will have access to your data for three years from when the first legacy account request has been approved. In Australia, next of kin can request access to an account with the right legal documentation if they don't have a Legacy Contact access key. Images: Carrie Payne

Technology

"A true fighter": Tragic loss to Australian media

Trailblazing journalist and editor Judith Whelan has passed away at the age of 63. The ABC confirmed Whelan's death, saying she died on Wednesday after a long battle with cancer. ABC managing director David Anderson was among the first to pay tribute to the “loved and respected” Whelan, confirming her death. “We have lost a great friend and journalism has lost a true fighter,” <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/about/media-centre/statements-and-responses/judith-whelan-announcement/104027286?utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared" target="_blank" rel="noopener">he said in a statement</a> released by the public broadcaster. “Judith always had the instincts that made her such a formidable journalist. She carried with her a commitment to truth and accountability and instilled these values in those who worked with her." “A valued mentor to younger journalists, Judith nurtured while leading by example. Judith was tough but caring and wanted those around her to succeed. Young reporters knew Judith would champion their work if the story needed to be told.” Sydney Morning Herald editor Bevan Shields said Whelan will always remain a beloved part of their team. “Judith was a wonderful editor, colleague and friend. She was at the Herald for more than three decades and remains part of our DNA. We are heartbroken by her death,” he told the Herald. “She had a finely tuned news radar but also revelled in journalism that could entertain and inform readers. She was a natural leader and a beautiful person. Our thoughts are with Chris, Sophia and Patrick.” Whelan first joined the ABC in 2016, where she was first appointed Director of Regional and Local News before taking the role of ABC editorial director in 2022. Prior to her work at the public broadcaster, Whelan worked for several other publications, including Sydney Morning Herald, where she also served as news director and editor of its weekend edition. The talented media executive was one of just three female editors in the SMH’s history. Well respected in her field, Whelan’s career also saw her stationed in both the Pacific and Europe as a foreign correspondent, and she was also nominated for a Walkley Award for her news and feature writing. Image credits: ABC

Caring

Our Partners

Over 60

News

Shop

Catalogues

Newspaper

Contests

Entertainment

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Property

Compare

Games

Information

Keep up to date

Search

Clint Eastwood's partner's cause of death revealed