BREAKING NEWS: Michael Crichton Dead

Best selling author Michael Crichton died unexpectedly in Los Angeles after what his reps call a "courageous and private battle against cancer."

Crichton, best known for such books as "Jurassic Park" and "Disclosure," also created the hit TV series "ER."

His rep released the following statement: "While the world knew him as a great story teller that challenged our preconceived notions about the world around us -- and entertained us all while doing so -- his wife Sherri, daughter Taylor, family and friends knew Michael Crichton as a devoted husband, loving father and generous friend who inspired each of us to strive to see the wonders of our world through new eyes. He did this with a wry sense of humor that those who were privileged to know him personally will never forget.

Through his books, Michael Crichton served as an inspiration to students of all ages, challenged scientists in many fields, and illuminated the mysteries of the world in a way we could all understand.

He will be profoundly missed by those whose lives he touched, but he leaves behind the greatest gifts of a thirst for knowledge, the desire to understand, and the wisdom to use our minds to better our world.

Michael's family respectfully asks for privacy during this difficult time.

A private funeral service is expected, but no further details will be released to the public."

RIP: 'Tickle Me Pink' Member Found Dead

Devasting music news today. Johnny Schou, 22, the bassist for the band Tickle Me Pink, has been found dead this morning, on July 1. This was a terrible hit for the band who has has just released their debut album today, Madeline, as well.

Tickle Me Pink had finished a set of Warped Tour dates. They had planned to tour again with Scary Kids Scaring Kids and Finch. We just received their album in our office and we are liking it a lot so far. Our hearts go out to the band. No other information on the cause of death was released.

Supermodel Dies In Manhattan

Sad news today. Ruslana Korshunova, 20, died in lower Manhattan yesterday after she fell nine stories from her apartment building. Witnesses discovered the body laying in the middle of Water St. in the Financial District of the city. Police are investigating the death. Korshunova has appeared in many magazines and graced the covers of Vogue and Elle.

Tim Russert autopsy findings

Newscaster Tim Russert's sudden death has been explained via a statement of autopsy findings from Dr. Michael Newman.

Russert, age 58, was known to have asymptomatic coronary artery disease which resulted in hardening of his coronary arteries," Newman said. "The autopsy revealed an enlarged heart and significant atherosclerosis of the left anterior descending coronary artery with [a] fresh clot which caused a heart attack resulting in a fatal ventricular arrhythmia."

In layman terms, the "Meet the Press" newsman had a heart attack and could not be resuscitated. Newman said lifesaving measures were taken immediately after Russert's collapse, and a full code was initiated after the D.C. paramedics arrived. Newman added that there is only a 4 to 5 percent survival rate in cases of sudden cardiac arrest such as Russert's.

Tim Russert passes away

Tim Russert passed away Friday after suffering a heart attack at the Washington Bureau, NBC News reported. The 58-year-old was the NBC News Washington bureau chief and the moderator of 'Meet the Press.'

According to the network, Russert was recording voiceovers for Sunday's episode of "Meet the Press" at the time of his collapse. He had just returned from a family vacation to Italy to celebrate his son's college graduation.

He was "one of the premier political journalists and analysts of his time," said Tom Brokaw, former longtime anchor of 'NBC Nightly News,' when he announced Russert's death. "This news division will not be the same without his strong, clear voice."

Russert joined NBC News in 1984 and has hosted 'Meet the Press' since December 1991. The show is in its 60th year, making it the longest-running program in TV history. Russert has also held the positions of vice president of NBC News and head of its Washington operations.

In 2008, Russert was named one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people in the world.

He received an Emmy Award in 2004 for his coverage of President Ronald Reagan's funeral, and his 2000 "Meet the Press" interviews with George W. Bush and Al Gore earned him the Radio and Television Correspondent's Joan S. Barone Award and the Annenberg Center's Walker Cronkite Award. Other accolades included the Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence in Television Journalism, the John Peter Zenger Award, the American Legion Journalism Award, the Veterans of Foreign Wars News Media Award, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society Journalism Award and the Allen H. Neuharth Award for Excellence in Journalism.

A member of the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame, Russert also penned two New York Times bestselling books, 2004's Big Russ and Me and 2006's Wisdom of Our Fathers.

Russert is survived by his wife, Vanity Fair writer Maureen Orth, and his son, Luke.

'Harry Potter' actor killed

A teenager who played a minor character in the upcoming film, 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,' was fatally stabbed in a bar brawl in south London on Saturday.

According a statement from London's Metropolitan Police, the actor, 18-year-old Rob Knox, who plays Ravenclaw student Marcus Belby in the sixth movie in the series, was caught in a fight around midnight outside the Metro Bar in Sidcup.

The fatality occurred just two weeks after another teen was killed only a few miles away.

Warner Brothers said it was shocked by the news.

"Rob was kind and thoughtful and would always help out others—he would always spend his last penny on other people instead of himself," Knox's parents, Sally and Colin, said in a statement Sunday.

"The life and soul of the party, he was very outgoing, loved sports, and would always strike up a conversation with people. He was respectful to others and adored by all his family and friends. He was (an) asset to the family."

Knox and four other teens were taken to various hospitals after the fight, according to police. One of them was a 21-year-old who was later arrested on suspicion of Knox's murder.

Police said that while the fight was probably not gang-related, there have been 14 violent teen deaths in London so far this year.

Danny Federici Has Passed Away

Danny Federici, the keyboardist for Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, died on Thursday at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. Federici, has battled melanoma for three years and passed away at the age of fifty-eight.

From “Hungry Heart” through “The Rising,” Federici’s musical styling helped to define E street Band, and he last performed with them during a show in Indianapolis on March 20th.

Springsteen has postponed his concerts scheduled for this weekend and issued the following statement about Federici’s death:

“Danny and I worked together for 40 years — he was the most wonderfully fluid keyboard player and a pure natural musician. I loved him very much ... we grew up together.”

In addition to performing with Springsteen, Federici’s has also played on the albums of several other well-known artists including Van Zandt, Joan Armatrading, Graham Parker, Gary U.S. Bonds, and Garland Jeffreys, In 1997, he released a solo jazz album Flemington, which he followed-up with his second solo album Out of a Dream in 2002.

Cameron Diaz's father dies suddenly

Sources say the Diaz's father 58-year old Emilio Diaz, a resident of Seal Beach, CA has passed away suddenly due to complications from pneumonia. It is claimed that Emilio was in "terrific health" and his death comes as a complete shock to friends and family. Emilio had come down with the flu, that turned into a serious case of pneumonia. Daughter Cameron was at work on her newest film "My Sister's Keeper" at his time of death, work on the film has shut down indefinitely. Our thoughts, here at PCM are definitely with Cameron in her time of need and throughout the grieving process.