Morphine OD killed Slipknot bassist
LOS ANGELES, June 22 (UPI) -- An overdose of morphine and the narcotic painkiller fentanyl caused Slipknot bassist Paul Gray's death in May, the Polk County, Iowa, medical examiner says.
Gray was found dead at age 38 at TownePlace Suites in a suburb of Des Moines. Grey was one of three original members of Slipknot, formed in 1995 in Des Moines.
E! Online said the musician's death certificate was issued by Medical Examiner Dr. Gregory Schmunk Friday.
Schmunk also found Gray suffered from heart disease, the Web site said.
Report: Jackson made $1B after death
LOS ANGELES, June 22 (UPI) -- Michael Jackson's company, MJ Inc., has generated at least $1 billion in revenue in the year following the pop icon's death at the age of 50, Billboard said.
The recording artist died of an overdose of the anesthetic drug propofol June 25, 2009. Jackson's personal physician is awaiting trial on an involuntary manslaughter charge in connection with the singer's death.
Billboard said sales of Jackson's albums, a lucrative new record deal with Sony Music and the release of the Jackson concert film "This is It" has helped put an estimated $1 billion in the coffers of the recording artist's estate since last June.
Lil' Wayne plea deal in the works in Ariz.
NEW YORK, June 22 (UPI) -- Jailed rapper Lil' Wayne appeared in an Arizona court Monday via video to discuss a plea deal for a 2008 drug arrest, officials said.
The hip-hop artist is currently serving a 1-year prison sentence in New York for weapons charges in a separate 2007 case and couldn't attend the Arizona hearing in person.
Lil' Wayne is expected to appear in Yuma County Superior Court to confirm the plea deal for the Arizona charges after he is released from prison, CNN said.
The recording artist could receive 36 months probation in exchange for his guilty plea, the news network said on its Web site.
He was arrested in 2008 after the drug ecstasy was allegedly found in his backpack on his tour bus.
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Pavelka and Girardi break up
LOS ANGELES, June 22 (UPI) -- A publicist for Jake Pavelka and Vienna Girardi confirmed the U.S. reality TV couple have broken up.
Pavelka proposed to Girardi on the finale of "The Bachelor," which aired several months ago.
"Jake and Vienna have split," Janice Lee, a representative for the couple, told People.com. "They appreciate the respect for their privacy at this time."
The publicist did not give a reason for the breakup, the Web site said.
