R.I.P.

Heavy D died last week, shocking and saddening fans and the hip hop community. The 44-year-old's autopsy results, unfortunately, don't offer many answers.

The L.A. coroner's office said Monday it could take several weeks to determine a cause of death because the autopsy was inconclusive, the L.A. Times reports.

Ed Winter, the coroner's spokesman, said no illegal drugs found at Heavy D's Beverly Hills home. A doctor prescribed him a drug after he experienced a cough.

Heavy D - Now That We Found Love

The coroner plans to do more toxicology tests "to see what's in his system," Winter said, but as we know from many other sad cases, that could take weeks.

Last Tuesday, Heavy D (real name Dwight Arrington Myers) was experiencing breathing problems at his condo complex and then collapsed. He died shortly after.

"Upon arrival, officers discovered [he was] conscious, communicative, but having a lot of difficulty breathing," the Beverly Hills Police Department said in a statement.

On October 8, Heavy D took the stage at the Michael Jackson tribute concert in Cardiff, Wales. Three days later, he performed at the BET Hip-Hop Awards.

Heavy D, one of hip hop's best known artists of the 1990s, died today at a Los Angeles hospital. He was 44.

The rapper - whose real name was Dwight Arrington Myers and who was responsible for such hits as "Now That We Found Love" - was pronounced dead at approximately 1 p.m., 90 minutes after a call to 911 was placed from his home.

Heavy D - Now That We Found Love

Paramedics reportedly found Heavy D conscious and speaking, prior to transporting him to a hospital. Police are now investigating the cause of death, although initial reports do not include any signs of foul play.

The rapper was seen in public just this summer, performing at the Michael Jackson tribute concert. Friends say he suffered from pneumonia, while authorities for now simply refer to the cause of death as "medical." Our thoughts go out to his loved ones.

Boxing great Joe Frazier died Monday after a battle with liver cancer. He was 67.

The fighter will forever be associated with Muhammad Ali, who he defeated for the first time in the legend's career (taking him down in March 1971), and who fought him two additional times in what became a storied sports rivalry.

For better or worse, Joe Frazier is forever linked to his biggest competitor.

Joe Frazier (right) takes it to Muhammad Ali.

"That was the greatest thing that ever happened in my life," Frazier said of beating Ali, but that biggest night was one that would never come again.

Ali successfully avenged his loss with a win over Frazier in 1974 at MSG, then bested him again a year later in the famed "Thrilla in Manila" bout.

Joe Frazier was a relentless, undersized heavyweight who nevertheless ruled the division as champion, even if Ali's shadow later loomed over him.

"I will always remember Joe with respect and admiration," Ali said in a statement. "My sympathy goes out to his family and loved ones."

Follow this link for a longer look at Joe's life and career ...

Legendary journalist Andy Rooney passed away last night. He was 92.

The 60 Minutes mainstay known to generations for his wry, humorous and contentious TV essays - a unique genre he is credited with pioneering - died just over a month after he announced his retirement from the long-running news program.

"It's a very sad day at 60 Minutes and for everybody here at CBS News," said Jeff Fager, chairman of CBS News and the executive producer of 60 Minutes.

"It's hard to imagine not having Andy Rooney around. He loved his life and he lived it on his own terms. We will all miss him very, very much."

On October 2, he made his 1,097th and last appearance on 60 Minutes. “I wish I could do this forever,” he said, admitting he's dreaded his retirement.

Poignantly, but with vintage curmudgeonly humor, he closed that final segment by thanking his fans, of which there are millions, young and old.

That said ... “If you see me in a restaurant, please, just let me eat my dinner.”

Watch Andy Rooney's final 60 Minutes appearance here:

Andy Rooney: Final 60 Minutes Segment

Cory Smoot, guitarist for the costumed heavy metal band Gwar, was found dead Thursday after a concert in Minneapolis in the midst of a six-week tour.

According to Fox News, Cory Smoot's body was discovered on the rock group's tour bus just before it was due to cross the border north into Canada.

Here's Smoot and Gwar playing what would be his final show Nov. 2:

Cory Smoot and Gwar in Concert

Gwar's frontman, David Brockie, said in a statement:

"It is with a sense of profound loss and tragedy that the members of Gwar announce the passing of their longtime guitarist and beloved friend Cory Smoot."

"Cory was found deceased this morning as the band prepared for a border crossing. At this point we are just dealing with the loss of our dear friend and brother, one of the most talented guitar players in metal today."

Smoot, who was 34, assumed the onstage alias of Flattus Maximus when he joined the Intergalactic Mutant Overlords in 2002 and had been with them since.

Famed for its freaky horror costumes, metal anthems and stage antics like dousing fans in fake blood since 1984, Gwar played Late Night last week.

Despite Smoot's unexpected passing, his bandmates say the show must go on. Gwar plans to remain out on the road and play Friday in Edmonton.

Charice Pempengco, a pop star best known to TV fans for her recurring role on Glee last season, has pulled out of concerts in Singapore this week due a a family tragedy: her estranged father was killed in the Philippines.

Local police say Ricky Pempengco, 40, rubbed up against an inebriated individual inside a small grocery store in San Pedro on Monday. The man became angry and stabbed Pempengco in the chest and back with an ice pick.

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Dan Wheldon, a two-time winner of the most prestigious event in his sport, died yesterday in a multi-car wreck on lap 11 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He was 33.

The tragedy took place during the IndyCar Series season finale, as Wheldon was airlifted from his vehicle around 1:19 p.m. and taken University Medical Center. Soon thereafter, he was was announced as the first IndyCar driver to die on the track since rookie Paul Dana in 2006.

"IndyCar is very sad to announce that Dan Wheldon has passed away from unsurvivable injuries," said CEO Randy Bernard . "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family today. IndyCar, its drivers and owners, have decided to end the race. In honor of Dan Wheldon, the drivers have decided to do a five-lap salute to in his honor."

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Joel "Taz" DiGregorio, the keyboard player in the Charlie Daniels Band, died in a car accident last night. He was 67.

The musician - whose group is best known for the track "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" - was driving a car flipped that flipped over on Interstate 40 just west of Nashville and was actually on his way to a concert when the tragedy struck. The event was consequently canceled.

Charlie Daniels Band - The Devil Went Down to Georgia (Live)

“It won’t be easy without him,” Charlie Daniels told the Associated Press. “He was an intricate part of our sound for 40 years. If you listened to our records, you could hear Taz all over them... I won’t replace him now. I can’t come to grips with replacing him right now, but I will."

The group will likely resume performing next week in Oklahoma.

Jack Manigault, the brother of former Apprentice star and notorious reality TV villain Omarosa, was found on Sunday morning. He was 40.

Police in Youngstown, Ohio say Manigault was killed due to a dispute over his girlfriend, as Marco Cardenas is accused of breaking into the apartment Jack shared with his loved one and shooting Manigault in the head.

Cardenas, who is halfway through a probation stint, was arrested after two juveniles inside the home reportedly forced him outside. He will be arraigned later today.

"We thank everyone for their amazing outpouring of support surrounding the tragic death of my brother Jack," Omarosa said in a statement. "We loved him unconditionally and we were so proud of him when he turned his life around and gave his life to God two years ago."

[Photo: WENN.com]

Mikey Welsh, a former member of the band Weezer, was found dead in a Chicago hotel room yesterday. He was 40 years old.

The cause of death is unknown at this time, but The Chicago Tribune quotes authorities who believe narcotics were involved.

Welsh, a native of Burlington, Vermont performed with Weezer from 1998 to 2001. The group reported that he left after suffering a nervous breakdown and Welsh later made a successful living as a painter.

He was in Chicago to attend a performance by his former band.