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Chiefs LB Belcher kills self
What began like any other Saturday for the Kansas City Chiefs during the NFL season, their general manager and coach at work early to put final touches on this weekend's gameplan. Then they got a call to hurry to the parking lot. The two men rushed through the glass doors of Chiefs headquarters and came face-to-face with linebacker Jovan Belcher, holding a handgun to his head. Belcher had already killed his girlfriend and sped the short distance to Arrowhead Stadium, right past a security checkpoint guarding the entrance. Upon finding his bosses, Belcher thanked general manager Scott Pioli and head coach Romeo Crennel for giving him a chance in the NFL. Then he turned away and pulled the trigger. The murder-suicide shocked a franchise that has been dealing with controversies now made trivial by comparison: eight consecutive losses, injuries too numerous to count, discontent among fans and the prospect that Pioli and Crennel could be fired at season's end. Authorities did not release a possible motive while piecing together the case, other than to note that Belcher and his girlfriend, 22-year-old Kasandra M. Perkins, had been arguing frequently. The two of them left behind a 3-month-old girl. She was being cared for by family. The Chiefs issued a statement that said their game Sunday afternoon against the Carolina Panthers would go on as scheduled, even as the franchise tried to come to grips with the awfulness of Belcher's death. "The entire Chiefs family is deeply saddened by today's events, and our collective hearts are heavy with sympathy, thoughts and prayers for the families and friends affected by this unthinkable tragedy," Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt said in brief a statement. "I can tell you that you have absolutely no idea what it's like to see someone kill themselves," said Kansas City Mayor Sly James, who spoke to Pioli shortly after the shootings. "You can take your worst nightmare and put someone you know and love in that situation, and give them a gun and stand three feet away and watch them kill themselves. That's what it's like," James said. "It's unfathomable." Chiefs quarterback Brady Quinn told The Kansas City Star that when the team met later Saturday morning, Crennel broke the news to them. "It was obviously tough for coach to have to tell us that," Quinn said. "He really wasn't able to finish talking to us. We got together and prayed and then we moved on." But Quinn said the team was so stunned, it was hard to digest what had happened. "It's hard mostly because I keep thinking about what I could have done to stop this," he said. "I think everyone is wondering whether we would have done something to prevent this from happening." The 25-year-old Belcher was from West Babylon, N.Y., and played college football at Maine. He signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent, made the team and hung around the past four years, eventually moving into the starting lineup. He played in all 11 games this season. The NFL released a statement expressing sympathy and pledging "to provide assistance in any way that we can." The players' association has also been in touch with members of the Chiefs. "We sincerely appreciate the expressions of sympathy and support we have received from so many in the Kansas City and NFL communities, and ask for continued prayers for the loved ones of those impacted," Hunt said. "We will continue to fully cooperate with the authorities and work to ensure that the appropriate counseling resources are available to all members of the organization." The drama unfolded early Saturday when authorities received a call from a woman who said her daughter had been shot multiple times at a residence about five miles from the Arrowhead complex. The call came from Belcher's mother, who referred to the victim as her daughter. "She treated Kasandra like a daughter," Kansas City police spokesman Darin Snapp said, adding that the woman had recently moved in with the couple, "probably to help out with the baby." Police then got a phone call from the Chiefs' training facility, and Belcher's description matched the suspect description from the initial address. Snapp said officers pulled into the practice facility parking lot in a matter of minutes, in time to witness the suicide. "Pioli and Crennel and another coach or employee was standing outside and appeared to be talking to him," Snapp said. "The suspect began to walk in the opposite direction of the coaches and the officers and that's when they heard the gunshot. It appears he took his own life." The coaches told police they never felt in any danger. "They said the player was actually thanking them for everything they'd done for him," Snapp said. "He was thanking them and everything. That's when he walked away and shot himself." Members of the Chiefs mostly laid low Saturday, but a few reacted on Twitter. "I am devastated by this mornings events," Pro Bowl linebacker Tamba Hali wrote. "I want to send my thoughts and prayers out to everyone effected by this tragedy." Earlier this year, the NFL provided a grant to help establish an independently operated phone service that connects players, coaches, team officials and other staff with counselors trained to work through personal and emotional crises. The NFL Life Line is available 24 hours a day. The season has been a massive disappointment for the Chiefs, who were expected to contend for the AFC West title. They're 1-10 and mired in an eight-game skid marked by injuries, poor play and fan upheaval. During the past few weeks there have been constant calls for Pioli and Crennel to be fired. It's unknown how the Chiefs plan to pay tribute to Belcher during Sunday's game. "His move to the NFL was in keeping with his dreams," said Jack Cosgrove, who coached Belcher at Maine. "This is an indescribably horrible tragedy."
Formerly one of PEOPLE's Hottest Bachelors, Mario Lopez is officially off the market. The X Factor and Extra host married his girlfriend, actress Courtney Mazza, Saturday in an outdoor ceremony in Punta Mita, Mexico. The couple, who met in 2008 when Lopez starred in A Chorus Line on Broadway, exchanged vows just before sunset at the seaside estate of Girls Gone Wild creator Joe Francis. The couple's two-year-old Gia was the flower girl. The lavish affair featured a mariachi band a wedding cake with a winter-wonderland-meets-beach theme by Cake Boss Buddy Valastro. The wedding will be featured in a two-hour TLC special titled Mario & Courtney's Wedding Fiesta, slated to air Dec. 8. It's the first marriage for Mazza and the second trip down the aisle for Lopez, whose 2004 marriage to model and actress Ali Landry was annulled.
It’s official: Bachelorette star Ashley Hebert and her fiancĂ© J.P. Rosenbaum tied the knot Saturday afternoon in Pasadena, Calif. Surrounded by family, friends and fellow Bachelor and Bachelorette alumni like Ali Fedotowsky, Emily Maynard, and Jason and Molly Mesnick, the couple said "I do" in an outdoor ceremony officiated by franchise host Chris Harrison. The 28-year-old dentist from Madawaska, Maine, met New York construction manager Rosenbaum, 35, on season 7 of The Bachelorette. The couple became engaged on the season finale. Hebert and Rosenbaum are the second couple in the franchise's 24 seasons to make it from their show finale to the altar, following in the footsteps of Bachelorette Trista Rehn, who married Vail, Colo., firefighter Ryan Sutter in 2003.
Brad Pitt's 'Killing Them Softly' misfires with $7 million debut
The post-Thanksgiving frame has always been a slow one, and this year was no exception. Two new releases entered theaters — including the Brad Pitt vehicle Killing Them Softly — and both were met with unenthusiastic responses. Among holdovers, the Top 10 movies fell by an average of 51 percent. Basically, not too much happened at the box office this week. In fact, the top six movies finished in the exact same spots as last week. Atop the chart was The Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn – Part 2, with $17.4 million, lifting its total to $254.6 million after three weekends. Skyfall held strong in second place, with $17.0 million. The Bond installment, which has already become the highest-grossing entry in the franchise’s 50-year history, has now earned $246 million domestically and a truly astounding $869 million worldwide. In third place, Steven Spielberg’s Oscar hopeful Lincoln with $13.5 million as it continues its march right past $100 million. The presidential picture, which cost Disney $65 million, has now earned $83.7 million in 17 days, and it will join the century club in the next two weeks. Further down the chart, The Weinstein Co.’s $15 million production Killing Them Softly debuted in seventh place with a sad $7.0 million.
1. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 – $17.4 million
2. Skyfall – $17.0 million
3. Lincoln – $13.5 million
4. Rise of the Guardians – $13.5 million
5. Life of Pi – $12.0 million
There’s another baby on the way for Georgina Chapman and Harvey Weinstein. “We are both over the moon,” the Marchesa co-founder and Project Runway: All Stars judge, 36, says. The couple are already parents to daughter India Pearl, 2. The Weinstein Company chairman, 60, also has three daughters from a previous marriage. “We don’t know the sex — it could be Harvey and five daughters,” Chapman, who’s due in the spring, jokes. “I’d be happy either way.” She and Weinstein wed on Dec. 15, 2007 at his Connecticut home.
Dennis Quaid Files for Divorce, Seeks Joint Custody
Dennis Quaid is ready to end his marriage for good. After his wife of eight years, Kimberly Buffington-Quaid, sought legal separation in October, the Vegas star filed Friday for divorce in Los Angeles Superior Court. The actor requests joint physical and legal custody of their 4-year-old twins, Thomas and Zoe, and offers to pay spousal support, according to the petition. This will be the third divorce for Quaid, 58, who was previously married to Meg Ryan and P.J. Soles. Kimberly, a former real estate agent, initially filed for divorce in March. She put the divorce on hold a month later, pulling the papers so they could work on their marriage, before then filing for separation.
Gabriel Aubry Drops Restraining Order Against Olivier Martinez
Things are looking up for Gabriel Aubry. Shortly after reuniting with Nahla, the 4-year-old daughter he shares with ex Halle Berry, on Friday, Nov. 30, the French-Canadian model, 36, dropped the restraining order he had in place against Berry's fiance, Olivier Martinez. Following Aubry's Thanksgiving Day brawl with Martinez, 46, the model was granted his own legal protection against Berry's fiance. In a legal declaration, Aubry claimed that in the midst of their fight -- which began when Aubry picked up Nahla from Berry's home for a custodial visit -- Martinez threatened to kill Aubry if he refused to allow his ex to move to France with their daughter. On Thursday, Nov. 29, Aubry and Berry, 46, "reached an amicable agreement" over the care of their child, according to a written statement released by Berry's attorney, Blair Berk. Though specifics were not made available, the agreement ends a nearly two-year long bitter custody battle for the exes.
Bob Marley's widow settles trademark lawsuit
Bob Marley's widow Rita and their nine children have settled a trademark lawsuit with the reggae legend's half-brother. The Marleys accused Richard Booker of using his connection to the late "One Love" singer to promote fish produce and concerts in Miami under his Mama Marley banner. They filed a lawsuit for trademark infringement and unauthorised use of the singer's likeness in late 2011, and now both parties have come to an undisclosed agreement after settling the matter out of court. Booker's lawyer, Robert Scholz, says, "This was a very sensitive case because the legacy of a great man and family were at stake. From what I have learned about Bob Marley, he would be very happy, especially that his family is now at peace. Both parties were happy with the settlement agreement."
IRS Seizes Lindsay Lohan's Bank Accounts
Brandi Glanville Tells LeAnn Rimes: My Sons Are Not Your Boys
On Nov. 30, the country singer tweeted about a weekend getaway with her husband, Eddie Cibrian, and her stepsons, Mason and Jake. (Rimes and Cibrian had an affair on the 2009 set of Lifetime's "Northern Lights"; the singer was wed to chef Dean Sheremet at the time, while Cibrian was married to Glanville.) "Flying out with my boys in a few hours. Love that it's a family tour weekend," Rimes wrote. "It's always more fun when they are with me." Rimes' comments didn't sit well with Glanville, 40, who responded the following day. "Someone is trying to get under my skin by calling my children 'her boys. So transparent!" the "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star tweeted. "They are my boys, Eddie's boys and your stepsons. . .for now." The model also retweeted a fan who asked, "Why is it ok for LeAnn to whore out Brandi's kids on Twitter, but they can't appear on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills?" (Cibrian refuses to let his sons appear on the Bravo reality show.) Rimes, who performed in Lincoln City, Oregon, chose not to retaliate via the social networking site. She did, however, share pictures of Cibrian, 39, Mason, 9, and Jake, 5. Rimes also retweeted a fan who wrote that "being a stepmom is such a hard role to play, but only the strongest women can handle it."
TV NEWS
The 2013 Primetime Emmy Awards will air Sept. 22 on CBS.
We've barely had time to catch our breath from the insane midseason finale of "The Walking Dead," but AMC has set an official premiere date for the second half of Season 3: Feb. 10, 2013. That's only 10 weeks away! Season 3 of the mega-hit zombie drama has been split into two equal halves, so the second half will run for eight episodes, just like the first. Additionally, Chris Hardwick announced on "Dead" "post-game" talkshow "Talking Dead" that "Talking" will move to 10 p.m., immediately following new episodes of "Walking" in 2013
Arrow has cast Spartacus alum Manu Bennett as Slade Wilson, who, as fans of Green Arrow comics will attest, eventually becomes mega-villan Deathstroke. The actor will appear in a handful of episodes.
There’ll be a few new recruits on the base when Army Wives starts Season 7. The Lifetime drama is adding The Vampire Diaries’ Torrey DeVitto, pop singer Ashanti and newcomer Elle McLemore as series regulars in its upcoming season. DeVitto, who’s also a Pretty Little Liars vet, will play a former soldier who gave up the Army to be a mom. Her character, Maggie Hall, is a truck driver married to a staff sergeant. Ashanti’s character, Latasha Durant, is a “sexy, fun” mother of three who runs her family and marriage with a firm hand. The “Foolish” singer has had guest roles on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and American Dreams. McLemore will play naive Holly Gordon, a sweet farm girl who recently married a soldier. The actress currently shakes her pom-poms as Eva in Bring It On: The Musical, which is scheduled to end its Broadway run on Dec. 30.
And Asylum‘s modern-day Bloody Face is… Dylan McDermott! The American Horror Story Season 1 star took to Twitter Thursday to confirm what many guessed a few episodes back, after hearing the voice of Briarcliff’s current dweller for the first time: He is the man behind the grotesque mask.
Breakout Kings‘ Serinda Swan has been promoted to series regular on USA Network’s upcoming law-enforcement drama Graceland.
Family Guy is coming to the big screen. The animated series’ mastermind Seth MacFarlane told a group of UCLA students that a feature film is basically a done deal — “It’s just a matter of when." Meanwhile, MacFarlane will lend his voice to The Simpsons‘ Season 25 premiere, playing a man trying to romance Marge.
Nickelodeon has given the green light to its iCarly-Victorious spinoff Sam & Cat. The 20-episode series, starring Jennette McCurddy and Ariana Grande, will launch in 2013.
Tonight's Premiere:Travel Channel: Hotel Impossible at 10p
Tonight's Finales:Discovery Channel: American Chopper (series finale) at 9p
Style Network: Made in Chelsea at 12a
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