Houston Mayor John Whitmire previously shut down these claims, saying last month: “We do not have any evidence that there is a serial killer loose in Houston, Texas.”
Britney Spears hangs out with the Kardashians
He added: “Enough is enough of wild speculation.”
The mayor said that drowning in the bayous is ‘not a new phenomenon’, blaming drugs, alcohol and homelessness for the tragic deaths.
“Unfortunately the homeless, when they pass, often end up in the bayou,” Whitmire said.
The Harris County’s medical examiner has now ruled six more people found in Houston’s bayous this year as having an ‘undetermined’ cause of death.
At least 28 bodies have been found in Houston bayous this year (Jill Karnicki/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)
According to the medical examiner, this is when ‘it is impossible to establish, with reasonable medical certainty, the circumstances of death after thorough investigation’.
Officials said Salome Garza, Jamal Alexander, Rodney Chatman, Seth Hansen, Michael Rice and Michaela Miller, whose deaths were reported between June and September this year, died due to ‘undetermined’ factors.
15 of those to have lost their lives in the Houston bayous have been listed with an ‘undetermined’ cause of death on the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences case database.
The other victims with an ‘undetermined’ cause of death are Juan Garcia Loredo, Kenneth Jones, Culcois Racius, George Grays, Ernest Armstrong, Brent Brown, Raymond Hatten, Latrecia Amos and Jade McKissic.
Speaking about what leads to an ‘undetermined’ cause of death, Galveston County Chief Medical Examiner Erin Barnhart told the Houston Chronicle: “Typically, when someone is found on land… they’re generally found in an environment that tells us something about them and what was going on at the time of their death – for example, if they’re found in their home, if they’re found in their car, if they’re found in an alley, etcetera; whereas we’re missing that when a body is found in water.”
While Houston’s mayor has reassured the public there is nothing suspicious about these deaths, Lauren Freeman, who lost her cousin Kenneth Cutting Jr. last year, claimed Whitmire is ‘gaslighting’ the city of Houston following his recent comments.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire has previously dismissed suggestions of a serial killer being on the loose (Bob Levey/Getty Images for Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce)
Kenneth Cutting Sr., the victim’s father, told Fox News Digital: “All them people didn’t commit suicide or fall into the bayou accidentally and drown. It’s ridiculous.
“There’s been so many of ’em in the last three years.”
Cutting Jr. was nowhere to be seen after a night out in Houston in June 2024, with police pulling his body from the bayou just days later.
An autopsy looking into Cutting Jr.’s death found no external injuries, while a toxicology report concluded there were no drugs in his system.
Kenneth Cutting Sr. added to Fox News Digital: “Something happened to my son. My son didn’t fall into the bayou and drown.”
Meanwhile, Freeman added: “Either there’s a serial killer on the loose, or the scum of society have realized they can start dumping bodies in the bayou in the midst of the heat and they start decomposing so nobody gets caught. You just can’t stab them or shoot them.”
UNILAD has reached out to Whitmire’s office for comment.
Featured Image Credit: Jill Karnicki/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images
My Mom Sewed Me a Wedding Dress Just 3 Days Before Her Death – I Couldn’t Forgive What Happened to It Minutes Before the Ceremony
All I wanted was to honor my mother on the most important day of my life. Instead, I found myself facing a betrayal that nearly broke me—minutes before I walked down the aisle.
I’m 26, and if you told me I’d be writing my life’s story with shaking hands, I would have laughed. But what happened on my wedding day still makes me sick when I remember.
I adjusted the veil on my head, my hands trembling as I stared at my reflection. My heart pounded like a warning drum. The bridal suite was quiet except for the low hum of wind outside the window. My dress, my mother’s final gift, hung by the window, glowing softly like it had a soul of its own.
I reached for the edge of the silk bodice and smiled, remembering the day she unwrapped the fabric. That moment was etched in my memory like a prayer. She had already been so tired. The cancer had returned with a vengeance, and the doctors had stopped using hopeful words.
A sick woman in bed getting her temperature taken | Source: Pexels
But my mom never blinked, and she didn’t cry. She just said, “Guess I’ll have to work faster.”
At the time, I didn’t understand, not until a few days later when I found her sewing table covered in ivory fabric, lace trim, and a small bag of pearls. She smiled at me then, her cheeks pale, her body frail, but her spirit unshaken.
“I’m making you something no one can ever take away,” she told me, threading her needle with shaky hands.
“Mom… you need to rest,” I said, placing my hand on hers.
“I’ll rest when my girl walks down the aisle.”
A woman getting ready to sew with a machine | Source: Pexels
That’s how I learned she was making my wedding dress. My mom, Ella, was my everything. She wasn’t just my mom, but my best friend, role model, and my person. When I was little, she’d stay up late sewing dresses for me out of leftover fabric because we couldn’t afford store-bought ones.
She was a seamstress by trade but an artist with a heart of gold. Every stitch she made carried warmth, precision, and love.
A woman sewing with a machine | Source: Pexels
Even on days when she could barely lift her head, she insisted on sewing. From her hospital bed by the window, she worked quietly and fiercely. The wedding dress grew, day by day—layers of silk, delicate lace, beads that caught the light like morning dew.
She finished the dress three days before she died. I remember holding it up to the sunlight while it shimmered like it was alive. I held it beside her bed, her thin fingers brushing the hem.
“Now I can go,” she whispered, touching the fabric gently.
That night, she slipped away.
A sick woman lying in a bed | Source: Pexels
After the funeral, I folded the dress carefully, placed it in a garment bag, and hid it in my closet. I couldn’t bear to look at it. The lavender scent of her lotion still clung to the sleeves. Every time I caught it, my breath would hitch, and I’d have to walk away.
But I made myself a promise: when I got married—no matter when or to whom—I would wear that dress. Not something new or something off a rack. I vowed that dress would walk me down the aisle.
A wedding dress | Source: Pexels
A year after she passed, my dad remarried.
Her name was Cheryl.
And to this day, I can’t understand how my kind, grieving father ended up with someone like her. Cheryl arrived like a gust of cold wind, all perfect smiles and high heels, all politeness and poison. She played the sweet role in front of others, but behind closed doors, she was sharper than broken glass.
“You’re sweet,” she said once, with a pat on my arm. “You just don’t have your mother’s elegance. But I’m sure you’ll get there, eventually.”
I was 18 at the time, and I didn’t know how to fight back without guilt. So I said nothing. I bottled it up.
A sad teenage girl at the breakfast table | Source: Pexels
I learned quickly that my stepmother had a talent for cruelty disguised as “concern.”
When Dad announced their engagement, I smiled even though my stomach turned. I told myself I wanted him to be happy, and if Cheryl brought him laughter again, then I’d find a way to live with it, even if I didn’t trust the woman making him happy.
Over time, I moved out, started college, and only came home for holidays. Dad and I grew distant as the years passed. His wife, although tolerable as long as I didn’t live under her roof, always had a way of inserting herself between Dad and me.
A woman smiling | Source: Pexels
There was always a reason he couldn’t talk long on the phone or spend time alone with me. But Dad was still happy, and I wasn’t going to be the one to rain on his parade.
Then I met Luke.
My boyfriend was everything Cheryl wasn’t. He was calm in a chaotic world, wasn’t loud or flashy, and he made me feel safe in a way I hadn’t felt in years. He had a patient, humble kind of strength that drew me in.
A man smiling | Source: Pexels
We were together five years before he finally proposed, and I said yes with tears in my eyes.
Dad cried when I told him. Cheryl looked up from her phone and said, flatly, “That’s… fast, isn’t it?”
I blinked. “It’s been five years.”
She gave a tight-lipped smile. “Of course. I just meant… things change quickly.”
I knew better than to argue. Cheryl’s jabs, the kind that made you question yourself without realizing why, were quiet and surgical. The kind that stayed with you long after the conversation ended.
An unhappy woman | Source: Pexels
Planning the wedding took over my life for months. There were cakes to sample, music to pick, flowers to choose. But I never once considered wearing anything but the dress my mother had made for me.
It fit perfectly and was timeless, like it was made for that moment. Every time I touched the fabric, I felt closer to her.
The week of the wedding, Cheryl suddenly decided to become “helpful.”
A woman who looks suspicious | Source: Pexels
She started showing up early, offering input no one asked for, inserting herself into every vendor meeting. It felt off, but I tried to keep the peace.
“She’s trying to wedge herself in,” Maddy said one night as we packed guest bags. Maddy had been my best friend since kindergarten and had no filter.
“She’s just… being Cheryl,” I muttered, exhausted.
A woman making wedding gift bags | Source: Unsplash
Then one afternoon, she showed up at my fitting uninvited and circled the dress like a predator.
“This one looks… vintage,” she said. “Are you sure you don’t want something new and more fashionable? You could afford a real one.”
I turned to her, laughing off her comment. “It’s sentimental. My mom made it.”
Her face froze for a second, then she smiled. “Oh, right. That dress again.”
Her tone made something twist in my gut, but I brushed it off, thinking she wouldn’t dare sabotage me.
I was so wrong.
A woman frowning | Source: Freepik
The morning of the wedding was bright and calm, but I woke up shaking with nerves. I’d slept over at home to be closer to the wedding venue. When I went down, I found Dad downstairs making coffee, humming.
He looked proud and emotional, like the father of the bride in every movie. My stepmother, of course, was fussing with her makeup. I went and took a bath before leaving with Dad and Cheryl for the wedding venue.
A woman in the backseat of a car | Source: Pexels
There I got ready with Maddy by my side.
The dress, which Maddy had collected from the seamstress, hung in the suite, sunlight glowing through it like a blessing. My best friend fluffed it while I tried to eat something.
“You ready?” she asked.
I smiled. “As I’ll ever be.”
Then the florist called about a mix-up with the boutonnières. I stepped outside to take care of it. I was gone for maybe 10 minutes, tops.
A blurry view of a woman on a call | Source: Pexels
When I came back, Maddy’s face had lost all color! She was literally chalk white!
“Lila,” she whispered.
I followed her gaze.
My mother’s dress, the one sewn with her last breath, lay on the floor—torn, slashed, and stained!
I couldn’t breathe. I dropped to my knees, my hands shaking as I picked it up. The embroidery was ripped. The silk and bodice were jagged like it had been attacked. Beads were scattered everywhere like tiny shattered bones!
A cut up wedding dress | Source: Midjourney
“No… no no no…”
Maddy reached for me, but I pulled away, clutching the ruined fabric. “Oh my God, who would do this?!” she exclaimed.
“These are deliberate scissor cuts,” I said. “This wasn’t an accident.”
She nodded slowly. “I’m sorry, Li. I stepped out to use the toilet while you were on the phone, but—”
I abruptly stood up straight and didn’t wait to hear what else she wanted to say.
I stormed into the hallway, still in my slip. Guests turned. Music played somewhere distant, unaware of the explosion building inside me.
There she was!
A happy woman holding a drink | Source: Pexels
Cheryl stood by the catering table, sipping champagne and laughing.
I’d noticed before I stormed off that her perfume lingered faintly in the air of my bridal suite, that expensive rose scent she bathed in.
“You,” I growled.
She turned. “Lila, darling, what’s wrong?”
“You did this!” I yelled. “You destroyed my mother’s dress!”
Her expression shifted just for a second before the fake concern took over. “I beg your pardon?”
“You slashed it! You ruined the last thing she gave me!”
A woman shouting | Source: Freepik
Cheryl sighed like I was a petulant child. “Maybe if you hadn’t left it lying around, it wouldn’t have gotten damaged. Relax, it’s just a dress.”
“It’s not just a dress!” I screamed. “She made it with her dying hands! It was her last gift to me!”
Guests stared, and some had their phones out, recording the drama. Luke rushed over.
My stepmother looked cold and smug as she smiled. “Well, maybe it’s time you stop living in the past. You can go get a real gown now.”
A woman with a bad attitude | Source: Pexels
I lunged toward her, but Maddy, who’d followed me out of the suite, held me back! Guests started whispering, the music stopped, and then my dad appeared, his face pale as he took in the scene.
“What’s going on?!” he demanded.
“Your wife,” I spat. “She destroyed Mom’s dress!”
Cheryl’s eyes widened in mock horror. “That’s a ridiculous accusation! I would never—”
A shocked woman | Source: Midjourney
Then Maddy stepped forward. “I was trying to tell you earlier that I saw her leaving the suite with scissors. She came in while you were out, before I went to the toilet. She said she wanted to wish you luck. I never thought anything about it, until you mentioned the scissor cuts on the dress!”
Everything stopped.
Dad’s confusion turned to horror. “Is that true?” he asked.
Cheryl opened her mouth, then paused. “I… I was just trying to help.”
“Help with what?!” he said. “What were you doing with scissors?!”
A serious man | Source: Pexels
For the first time, Cheryl’s mask cracked. She snapped. “You both treat that woman like some kind of saint! I’m tired of being second. I thought if the dress was gone, she’d finally move on!”
The air left the room.
Dad’s voice dropped. “Get out.”
“What?”
“You heard me. Get out! You’re not welcome here. And when I get home, I want you gone from my house!”
She tried to argue, but Dad turned away as two of the groomsmen, his friends, stepped in.
A shot of two men in suits | Source: Unsplash
Cheryl stumbled trying to gather her things and tripped, knocking over a champagne tower before she disappeared out the side doors, the groomsmen escorting her out of the venue.
I stood frozen.
“Sweetheart,” Dad said softly, placing his hand on my shoulder. “I’m so sorry. I never should’ve brought her into our lives.”
I couldn’t speak. My throat hurt from holding back sobs.
A sad woman in a robe | Source: Pexels
Then Maddy took my arm. “Li, we can fix it.”
“It’s ruined.”
But then she said something I’ll never forget.
“No. Your mom’s love isn’t in the stitches. It’s in you. We’ll make it work.”
So we did.
With fashion tape, pins, thread, and sheer will, we patched the dress. It wasn’t perfect—one sleeve was gone, and the bodice was uneven—but when I stood at the end of the aisle, sunlight made it shimmer like new!
A bride in a wedding dress | Source: Pexels
Dad held my arm, tears in his eyes.
“She’d be so proud,” he whispered as he walked me down the aisle.
And I swear, in that moment, I could almost feel Mom there—warm, steady, smiling.
As I walked toward Luke, something lifted. The pain didn’t vanish, but it softened. I carried it like the gown—damaged, mended, cherished.
“You look like magic,” Luke whispered.
“That’s what Mom called it.”
A bride and groom at the altar | Source: Pexels
We said our vows, then danced under twinkle lights.
Later that night, Maddy showed me a photo.
“She tried to sneak into the reception. Security caught her.”
My eyes widened.
“She tripped when her heel broke on the cobblestone driveway and fell into the fountain! Full splash. Her hair, dress, and makeup—ruined!”
I burst out laughing. Karma had perfect timing!
A bride laughing | Source: Pexels
After the wedding, Dad filed for divorce. Cheryl didn’t get a cent. The prenup Mom insisted on all those years ago held strong.
I had the dress restored. It took months, but I had it framed, and now it hangs above my fireplace in the living room. The faint scars are still there if you look closely.
But I love them.
They remind me that love—real love—isn’t fragile. It’s thread that binds even the torn parts together.
The FBI has called on the public’s assistance in capturing the assassin
The FBI has continued to release details about Charlie Kirk’s alleged shooter following a man-hunt for the assassin.
Charlie Kirk’s assassination while he spoke at the Utah Valley University on September 10 has stunned much of America.
Videos of Kirk being shot and killed after a single bullet has been fired has also circulated on social media.
Authorities noted that at the time two persons of interest were arrested but they do not believe them to be the shooter, later noting they had ‘no current ties’ to the crime and that the shooter is still at large.
The FBI has been providing updates on the Charlie Kirk shooter developments on its Twitter page.
The post read: “We are asking for the public’s help identifying this person of interest in connection with the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.
Tributes have flooded in for Kirk following his murder (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
The FBI want to speak to a person of interest (FBI)
“1-800-CALL-FBI,” the agency added, for anyone with information.”
In a follow up post on the social media page, they added more details about the shooter and his actions after the shot that killed Kirk.
The post read: “The FBI is releasing video of the shooter who murdered Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025. Following the shooting, the individual jumps from a rooftop and runs away from the location.
“Trace evidence collected from the rooftop includes shoe impressions, a forearm imprint, and a palm print. The shooter’s weapon and ammunition were recovered from a wooded area near the university.”
The video showcased the apparent shooter, jumping off a university building and fleeing.
In addition to this, the bureau have also released further images of the ‘person of interest’ they are trying to locate in connection to the shooting.
They have also offered a reward of $100,000 for any information leading to an arrest in the case.
New images of a person of interest have been released (FBI)
Not long before the video and new images were released, the FBI made it clear they believed they have good footage of the alleged shooter.
Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason announced on September 11 during a press conference that authorities had ‘good video’ of the shooter.
Mason said authorities were ‘working through some technologies and some ways to identify this individual’, but he assured they would ask for the public’s help if needed.
The FBI continues to work alongside our law enforcement partners to seek justice in the murder of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025. We are releasing additional photos of a person of interest. Information about this developing investigation can be found
“If we are unsuccessful, we will reach out to you as the media and we will push that publicly to help us identify them,” Mason said. “But we are confident in our abilities right now.”
The FBI has also asked people in the area to check footage from doorbells cameras and submit it to the agency if they recognize anything unusual on it.
NEW: Authorities in Utah have released additional photos of the person of interest sought in connection with the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk.
Officials release video, plead for public’s help in tracking down person of interest in Charlie Kirk shooting
Authorities say “distinctive clothing” may help identify the shooter.
Officials released new video of the person of interest in conservative influencer Charlie Kirk’s killing, showing the suspected gunman climbing down from the roof of a building on the campus of Utah Valley University where authorities believe he fired the fatal shot and walking away from the scene.
The video was played during a news conference Thursday evening with state and federal officials. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox made a plea to the public for tips to help identify and locate “this evil human.”
“We cannot do our job without the public’s help right now,” Cox said.
He said state officials are already moving to pursue the death penalty if the case goes to trial.
A still from a video released by the FBI of the suspected gunman in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk.
FBI
The FBI said it is offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the person responsible for Kirk’s murder.
FBI Director Kash Patel appeared alongside the governor at the news conference Thursday evening but did not address reporters nor take questions.
Shortly before the news conference, Utah authorities released new photos of the person of interest in the shooting, in which the individual can be seen on steps while carrying a black backpack and wearing a shirt with what appeared to be an American flag print on it.
The Utah Department of Public Safety released new images of the person of interest in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk.
Utah Department of Public Safety
The Utah Department of Public Safety released new images of the person of interest in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk.
Utah Department of Public Safety
The head of Utah Department of Public Safety said the suspect was wearing “distinct clothing” that could help in identifying the suspect, including Converse sneakers.
He said the person seen in the video jumping from the roof left shoe impressions and a palm print.
So far authorities have received more than 7,000 tips and leads and completed some 200 interviews, the governor said.
Earlier Thursday, the FBI’s Salt Lake City office released two initial images of the individual, who is wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses and was captured in a stairwell in one of them.
The FBI released images of a person of interest sought in connection with the deadly shooting of Charlie Kirk.
FBI Salt Lake City
The screenshots were pulled from campus security footage just before the shooting, according to the Utah Department of Public Safety.
‘High-powered’ firearm recovered
Amid the manhunt for the suspect, who is believed to be college-aged, officials said Thursday they are working “around the clock” to locate the individual.
The FBI also said Thursday it has recovered what is believed to be the weapon used in the deadly shooting. A “high-powered bolt action rifle” was recovered in a wooded area near where the shooting took place, according to Salt Lake City FBI Special Agent Robert Bohls.
The rifle is an older model imported Mauser .30-06 caliber bolt action rifle wrapped in a towel, multiple law enforcement sources told ABC News. The location of the firearm appears to match the suspect’s route of travel, the sources said.
The spent cartridge was still chambered and three unspent cartridges contained wording on them expressing what some law enforcement officials described as “transgender and anti-fascist” writing, according to preliminary information shared with agencies. It’s unclear what that means and authorities are still working to determine the meaning or whether the markings were intended as misdirection for investigators.
The gun and cartridges recovered are to be flown to the FBI’s main laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, for the most technologically advanced forensic analysis, law enforcement sources told ABC News. The focus is to look for any latent fingerprints and DNA, the sources said. Upon completion of forensics, the firearm will be disassembled for additional importer information.
This screen grab from a video by Amy King shows right-wing youth activist and influencer Charlie Kirk speaking during a public event at Utah Valley University minutes before he was shot in Orem, Utah, on Sept. 10, 2025.
Amy King/UGC via AFP via Getty Images
Tracking the shooter’s movements
Officials said they have been able to track the movements of the shooter and have “good” video footage of the individual, Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason said on Thursday. The video footage will not be released to the public at this time, Mason said.
At 11:52 a.m. on Wednesday, the suspect arrived on the Orem campus and then proceeded to travel through the stairwells up to the roof of a building near the where the outdoors event was taking place, before the suspect fired down at Kirk, Mason said.
A drone view shows the reported location of the shooter on a rooftop, at the scene where U.S. right-wing activist, commentator, Charlie Kirk was fatally shot during an event at Utah Valley University, in Orem, Utah, September 11, 2025.
Cheney Orr/Reuters
Manhunt for shooter continues after Charlie Kirk killed in ‘political assassination’
Kirk was hit by a single shot at approximately 12:20 p.m. and taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, authorities said.
After the shooting, the suspect traveled to the other side of the building, jumped off and fled off-campus into a neighborhood, Mason said. Officials are working through nearby neighborhoods, contacting people with doorbell cameras and speaking to witnesses to identify any leads, Mason said.
Along with recovering the weapon, Bohls said investigators have also collected a footwear impression, palm print and forearm imprints for analysis.
Diagram of Utah Valley University campus area where Charlie Kirk was shot
Google Earth, ABC News
Officials emphasized the shooting was a “targeted” attack and they are “exhausting every lead.”
“We will not stand for what happened yesterday,” Mason said. “We are investing everything we have into this and we will catch this individual.”
Authorities are searching for “any and all potential suspects related to this incident,” the Utah Department of Public of Safety said Thursday afternoon.
“Multiple leads are currently being investigated, but no suspect is in custody,” it said.
The FBI asked for tips from the public as the manhunt for the perpetrator continues, urging anyone with information, photos or video from the incident to share it with investigators. So far, the Utah Department of Public of Safety said it has received more than 200 tips, as the search for the shooting suspect continues.
“I want to make it crystal clear right now to whoever did this, we will find you. We will try you, and we will hold you accountable to the furthest extent of the law,” Cox said during a press briefing Wednesday, calling the fatal shooting a “political assassination.”
Flowers sit next to the Utah Valley University sign in a makeshift memorial for political activist Charlie Kirk, September 11, 2025 in Orem, Utah.
Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images
Trump blames political rhetoric
Asked if he was concerned that authorities have not yet apprehended the suspect, now more than 24 hours after the shooting, President Donald Trump told reporters Thursday, “I hear they’re making big progress, and we’ll have to see what happen.”
Pressed if he knew the shooter’s motivation, Trump said he has “an indication, yeah, but we’ll let you know about that later.”
In the wake of the shooting, Trump and prominent MAGA personalities have sought to tie the killing to Democratic political rhetoric.
In a video posted to social media late Wednesday, Trump said, “It’s a long past time for all Americans and the media to confront the fact that violence and murder are the tragic consequence of demonizing those with whom you disagree.”
“For years, those on the radical Left have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis and the world’s worst mass murderers and criminals,” he added. “This kind of rhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism that we’re seeing in our country today, and it must stop right now.”
He listed recent examples of political violence in the country against Republicans, but did not mention any targeting Democrats, such as the shootings of two Minnesota state lawmakers at their homes in June.
In his remarks with reporters on Thursday, the president said he would like to see his supporters respond with “nonviolence.”
Trump condemns political violence, but doesn’t mention attacks on Democrats
Trump’s son Eric, meanwhile, told Fox News’ Sean Hannity he was “sick and tired of seeing the bullets — they are only going one way.”
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox got emotional Wednesday as he delivered a message mentioning recent attacks on both Democrats and Republicans.
“Our nation is broken,” Cox said. “We’ve had political assassinations recently in Minnesota. We had an attempted assassination on the governor of Pennsylvania. And we had an attempted assassination on a presidential candidate and former president of the United States — and now current president of the United States. Nothing I say can unite us as a country. Nothing I can say right now can fix what is broken. Nothing I can say can bring back Charlie Kirk. Our hearts are broken.”
Controversial campus visit
Kirk — a 31-year-old father of two — was considered a confidant of Trump and highly influential in the conservative youth movement.
He founded the conservative advocacy group Turning Point USA in 2012 at the age of 18, and in the 2024 elections was credited with building significant support for Trump among young voters.
A drone view shows the scene where U.S. right-wing activist, commentator, Charlie Kirk was fatally shot during an event at Utah Valley University, in Orem, Utah, September 11, 2025.
Cheney Orr/Reuters
The Utah event was expected to include a “prove me wrong” table, according to the tour’s website.
Ahead of the conservative political activist’s visit to Utah Valley University, some students started an online petition asking university administrators to stop him from coming.
Though Kirk’s visit was controversial on campus, police were tracking no specific or credible threats before the fatal shooting, Utah law enforcement sources told ABC News.
More than 3,000 people were estimated to be at the event, according to the university’s police chief, Jeff Long. There were six police officers, along with Kirk’s private security, according to Long.
UVU will be closed until Sept. 14, according to a notice posted on the university’s website.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, left, speaks with Utah Valley University Chief of Police Jeff Long, right, at the Keller Building on the Utah Valley University campus after Charlie Kirk was shot and died during Turning Point’s visit to the university, Sept. 10, 2025, in Orem, Utah.
Hannah Schoenbaum/AP
‘Unrelated’ person arrested
The Utah Department of Public of Safety said Thursday that an “unrelated subject” was arrested at the university Thursday morning. The individual entered the school grounds, entered a secured area and began to take photos of the crime scene, it said.
“When an agent ordered him to stop and attempted to identify him, the male fled on foot but was soon apprehended by other officers,” the department said. “He has been booked into the Utah County Jail for felony obstruction and trespassing.
The department also said in an update Wednesday night that two people were initially taken into custody after the shooting but later released.
The first was released and later charged with obstruction by university police. The second person was taken into custody and released after an “interrogation” by law enforcement, the department said.
Utah authorities said “there are no current ties to the shooting with either of these individuals.”
‘I was in total shock’: Witnesses to fatal Charlie Kirk shooting recount gruesome scene
White House tributes to Kirk
Trump ordered all American flags throughout the country to be lowered to half-staff through Sunday evening in Kirk’s honor. On Thursday, he also announced he will posthumously award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, saying he was a “giant of his generation.”
“It’s horrific. It’s one of the most horrible things I’ve ever seen,” Trump told ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl on Wednesday.
“He was a great guy,” Trump said. “He was a good man. He was an incredible guy. Nobody like him.”
Trump told reporters Thursday that he had a “long talk” with Kirk’s widow, Erika.
“She’s devastated. She’s absolutely devastated, as you can imagine,” he said.
Vice President JD Vance and the second lady will meet with Kirk’s family and a number of his close friends in Salt Lake City on Thursday, a source confirmed to ABC News. Kirk’s casket, along with his family and friends, will then be flown to Phoenix aboard Air Force Two, the source also confirmed.
Vance called Kirk “a genuinely good guy and a young father” while urging prayers in the aftermath of the shooting on Wednesday.
In this Dec. 22, 2024, right-wing activist Charlie Kirk speaks on stage at America Fest 2024, in Phoenix, Arizona.
Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images
Charlie Kirk’s influence, reach helped propel Donald Trump into office
Condemnation over the attack came from both sides of the political spectrum.
“There is no place in our country for this kind of violence. It must end now,” Former President Joe Biden said. “Jill and I are praying for Charlie Kirk’s family and loved ones.”
“The attack on Charlie Kirk is horrifying and this growing type of unconscionable violence cannot be allowed in our society,” Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, said on X.
Fellow Democratic governor, California’s Gavin Newsom, said on X that the “attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible. In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form.”
ABC News’ Aaron Katersky, Luke Barr, Josh Margolin, Ivan Pereira, LaleeIbssa, Isabella Murray, Katherine Faulders, Jack Date, Chris Looft and Helena Skinner contributed to this report.
Practical Tips to Get Rid of Blackheads 2025 (Video Below)
To remove blackheads, use ingredients like salicylic acid, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), or retinoids in your skincare routine to dissolve dead skin cells and unclog pores. Exfoliation, pore strips, and clay or charcoal masks can also help. For persistent cases, consult a dermatologist for professional treatments such as chemical peels,microdermabrasion, or extraction. Avoid picking or squeezing blackheads, as this can cause irritation, infection, and scarring.
At-Home Methods
Chemical Exfoliants:Use cleansers or products with salicylic acid (a BHA) or glycolic acid (an AHA) to dissolve dead skin cells and loosen blackheads.
Retinoids:Topical retinoids can help break up blockages within pores and prevent dead skin cells from collecting.
Pore Strips:These can help lift out debris and open up clogged pores.
Clay Masks:Masks containing clay or charcoal can absorb excess oil and help clear out pores.
Exfoliation:Gently exfoliating a few times a week helps remove dead skin cells.
Non-Comedogenic Products:Use skincare and makeup products labeled “non-comedogenic,” which won’t clog your pores.
Things to Avoid
Squeezing and Picking:Do not squeeze or pick at blackheads, as this can irritate the skin, lead to infection, and potentially cause scarring.
When to See a Dermatologist
Stubborn Blackheads:
For blackheads that don’t respond to at-home treatments, a dermatologist can recommend stronger options.
Professional Treatments:
In-office treatments like chemical peels, microdermabrasion, or professional extractions can effectively remove blackheads.
Husband of employee caught with CEO on Coldplay jumbotron breaks silence with shocking twist
Cabot’s husband has spoken out following news of their divorce
Kristin Cabot’s husband has broken his silence after she was caught on camera with Astronomer CEO Andy Byron.
Back in July, Byron and HR chief Cabot – who were attending a Coldplay concert in Boston – were caught seemingly embracing on the big screen, before immediately jumping apart once they realised they were on camera.
At the time, frontman Chris Martin seemed pretty shocked, telling crowds: “Oh look at these two. Either they are having an affair or they’re just really shy.”
Due to the unusual reaction, a clip of what happened went viral on TikTok and has since been viewed hundreds of millions of times.
Following the controversial moment, it was revealed that Cabot filed for divorce from her husband, Andrew Cabot, last month.
The moment went viral around the world (TikTok/@instaagraace)
However, the pair were reportedly separated for several weeks before the concert took place.
A spokeswoman for Andrew told PEOPLE that he and Kristin ‘were privately and amicably separated several weeks before the Coldplay concert’.
“Their decision to divorce was already underway prior to that evening,” the spokeswoman added.
“Now that the divorce filing is public, Andrew hopes this provides respectful closure to speculation and allows his family the privacy they’ve always valued.
“No further public comment will be made.”
Following the viral moment, Byron resigned from his role as CEO of Astronomer, with the company sharing a statement: “As stated previously, Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding. Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met.
“Andy Byron has tendered his resignation, and the Board of Directors has accepted. The Board will begin a search for our next Chief Executive as Cofounder and Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy continues to serve as interim CEO.”
The moment happened at a Coldplay gig (Robert Okine/Getty Images)
“The events of the past few days have received a level of media attention that few companies—let alone startups in our small corner of the data and AI world—ever encounter,” he wrote.
“The spotlight has been unusual and surreal for our team and, while I would never have wished for it to happen like this, Astronomer is now a household name.”
Neither Cabot nor Bryon has publicly commented on the incident.
4 Professional Treatments To Remove Blackheads (Video Below)
We don’t need to tell you how frustrating blackheads are. Tiny dark spots that seem to pop out of nowhere, stubbornly clinging to your pores despite following a tried and tested skincare routine; it can make anyone feel disheartened.
But don’t despair! If you’re tired of battling with blackheads and those DIY remedies just aren’t cutting it anymore, it’s time to explore professional treatments.
1. Cosmetic-Grade Peels
Cosmetic-Grade Peels are another popular solution against blackheads. The peels use varying strengths of chemical solutions to exfoliate the skin gently. This action can effectively dissolve oil and buildup of dead skin cells, which contribute to pesky dark spots.
Here are some popular cosmetic-grade peels used for blackhead removal:
Salicylic acid: Great for oily and acne-prone skin. Salicylic acid penetrates deep into the pores, dissolves blackheads, and prevents future breakouts.
Glycolic acid: This versatile peel is primarily to exfoliate the skin’s surface. The result is improved texture and reduced blackhead appearance. Glycolic acid peels can also address fine lines and hyperpigmentation.
Lactic acid: For those with sensitive skin, lactic acid peels offer a much gentler exfoliation and hydration. Unclogged pores and better skin clarity are among the benefits of lactic acid peels.
2. LED Light Therapy
LED Light Therapy is a non-invasive treatment that utilises different light wavelengths to target skin concerns, like pesky blackheads. Research shows that specific wavelengths, like blue light, can be particularly effective in reducing acne breakouts.
How does it work? LED Light Therapy, using various light wavelengths can target bacteria, reduce inflammation and even boost collagen production for healthier and clearer skin.
3. HydraFacial
HydraFacial combines an exfoliating tip with a gentle suction that unclogs pores, removes impurities and also infuses the skin with a nourishing serum. The exfoliating tip is for sloughing away dead skin cells, while the suction syphons lingering impurities from your pores.
This treatment is gentle for all skin types, even those with sensitive skin. If other professional solutions like Cosmetic-Grade Peels may be a bit harsh, HydraFacial provides a refreshing alternative.
Plus, you can combine your HydraFacial with other treatments like LED Light Therapy to further enhance your results.
4. Microdermabrasion
During a Microdermabrasion treatment, a handheld device is used to gently buff your skin’s surface using fine crystals.
The crystals act as sandpaper, exfoliating the top layer of dead skin cells and debris, unclogging pores, and revealing a smoother, more radiant complexion beneath.
Meanwhile, the vacuum suction removes the dead skin cells and stimulates collagen production, further improving your skin’s appearance.
As highlighted in a case study published in the Medical Science Pulse, combining diamond microdermabrasion with a mixture of cosmetic acids led to a noticeable reduction in sebum levels and the number of skin eruptions in a patient with acne vulgaris, or blackhead-causing bacteria.
There you have it – a lineup of professional blackhead-busting treatments to get you closer to achieving blemish-free skin.
If these professional treatments may be a bit new to you, our team of Licensed Medical Professionals and Cosmetic-Registered Nurses at Laser Clinics Canada will guide you every step of the way.
You will receive a thorough personalised assessment and consultation, addressing your blackhead concerns and recommending a Tailored Treatment Plan for your skin’s needs.
We prioritise your comfort and satisfaction, using the latest techniques and technologies to ensure an effective experience with visible results.
Why JonBenét Ramsey’s father believes new testing on evidence will solve her 30-year murder case
On Boxing Day, 1996, JonBenét was found beaten and sexually assaulted in the basement of her own home
Warning: This article contains discussion of child abuse which some readers may find distressing.
The father of JonBenét Ramsey, a six-year-old girl who was murdered 28 years ago, believes new testing will solve the case.
On December 26, 1996, JonBenét was found beaten and sexually assaulted in the basement of her own home in Boulder, Colorado.
Her mom, Patsy Ramsey, had called the police that morning to report her daughter missing from her bedroom. She had also discovered a ransom note, demanding $118,000 for her safe return.
Tragically, the little girl’s body was found hours later in the basement of the family home. She had suffered blunt force trauma and had been strangled with a garrote, which is a type of rope weapon.
Local police initially suspected JonBenét’s parents and even their son, Burke, who was just nine at the time, of being involved in the crime; however, the Ramsey family were all later cleared. And in 2008, an old DNA sample from the scene identified the presence of an ‘unknown male’.
Almost 30 years later, John Ramsey, now 81, has spoken about new testing that could help solve the case.
JonBenét was brutally murdered in her own home after a ransom note was found asking for $118,000 (John Bennett Ramsey)
He appeared at CrimeCon alongside attorney Hal Haddon, who has represented the family for decades.
“I have pressed hard for DNA analysis of the knots in this garrote, which our DNA experts say could be quite promising, because someone had to tie those – and they’re fairly sophisticated,” said Haddon. “Someone had to use their fingers and likely got their DNA in these knots. They’ve never done that [testing], and I questioned them on that every time that we’ve met.
“The handle on this garrote… is wooden, and that wooden handle has never been tested for DNA, even though splinters from that handle were found on and inside the body of JonBenet.”
Haddon went on to call the ransom note left by the killer ‘elaborate’, as he added to Ramsey: “Someone had obviously been in your home or had cased it thoroughly.
“Someone spent an extraordinary amount of time writing a ransom note which quoted extensively from murder movies which were contemporary in the day – movies like Dirty Harry.”
Last year, Ramsey revealed that there had been two breakthroughs in the case, as the family had been pushing for forensic genealogy to be used on DNA taken from the crime scene.
John and Patsy Ramsey in 1996 (Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Although Haddon said it would be ‘highly unlikely’ the case could be solved without genealogical testing, Ramsey was more optimistic.
He said: “I believe there’s a 70 per cent chance we get an answer. We may not, but the odds are very high that we can.
“This new technology that’s been employed finding these old killers, old cold cases, is a dramatic improvement over the last testing that was done in our case, which was eight or 10 years ago.”
However, he added that with the prospect of a new investigative team and technology, he was ‘more hopeful than I’ve ever been’.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues or want to speak to someone in confidence regarding the welfare of a child, the Childhelp USA National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and receives calls from throughout the United States, Canada, US Virgin Islands, Guam and Puerto Rico.
Featured Image Credit: Fox News/48 Hours via YouTube
Cardi B has admitted to not only getting a breast augmentation, but also illegal injections in her butt. “In order to get lipo, where they put the fat transfer in your ass and it gets bigger, you need to have fat. I did not have no type of fat,” she told Vlad TV. “But I was desperate to have a bigger ass.”
It’s said that Megan Fox had lip injections, to which she told Allure magazine in 2010: “I will say for people who question the authenticity of my lips, you can clearly see that my lips are my lips.”
She hasn’t spoken out about it, but it’s rumored that Kate Bosworth has had minor work done on her nose, Botox injections and fillers on her lips and cheeks.
It’s rumored Blake Lively has had a nose job, but she has yet to deny or confirm them. “It’s the way you address any rumor. People want to talk. They want to create negative things about you and your lift. You can’t let them affect you,” says Lively, according to Buzzfeed.
Though Gwen Stefani has never admitted to getting plastic surgery, the rumors continue to swirl that she has.
Though Kristin Cavallari has been approached to talk about The Hills co-stars Audrina Patridge and Heidi Montag Pratt‘s respective plastic surgeries, she has yet to go on the record regarding if she, herself, has had any.
In an interview for Evening Standard magazine in May 2018, Kim Kardashian interviewed her youngest sis Kylie Jenner, asking her point-blank: What are your thoughts on plastic surgery? Jenner responded: “I feel like if it makes you feel better, and if that’s what you want to do, I’m not against it. Right now I probably wouldn’t do anything, actually.”
Khloé Kardashian admitted to having her facial fillers dissolved. “My face was so fucked, I had to go and get this whole thing dissolved,” she said on her talk showKocktails With Khloé. “It was a bummer, and now I’m afraid to do it again. And I’m almost like, I swear things are still in my face.”
Did Hailey Baldwin get a nose job and get her lips done? She opened up to ES magazine in 2016, saying: “Everybody literally thinks I’ve had plastic surgery. My mom’s family call her and they’re like, ‘Did Hailey do her lips? Did she do her nose?’ Do people want me to go to a doctor and have them examine my face so they can tell people I haven’t? My face has just matured. I grew into my looks. I do look different than I did when I was younger, but it’s still the same face.”
In the fall of 2017, Carrie Underwood had to get 40 stitches around her mouth, after she fell down the stairs at her home. But with every photo she posted on Instagram, she fanned the plastic surgery rumors fire. She never addressed the rumors.
Plenty of plastic surgery rumors follow Ciara: Did she get a nose job? Did she get breast implants? She hasn’t addressed the rumors.
It’s rumored Ariana Grande has had an eyebrow lift and a nose job, but she has yet to confirm or deny.
Kourtney Kardashian was very open about her breast implants, telling Nightline in 2010: “I have had breast implants, but it’s so funny ’cause it’s not a secret, I could care less.”
Alexa Chung may or may not have had cosmetic surgery, and, honestly, it sounds like she wouldn’t be against it anytime soon. She told Stylist magazine in 2014: “Sometimes I’m like, ‘Oh my god, I’m going to get a facelift’, but I don’t think I really will. I’ll just live in the present and enjoy my remaining youth.”
Sure, there are plenty of rumors that Beyoncé has had plastic surgery, but she has yet to speak out about it.
In November 2017, Life & Style speculated that Taylor Swift had plastic surgery and Sarah Hyland was not having it, tweeting:”CAN YOU FUCKING STOP?!?! Let’s empower women instead of judging their looks. There’s more to us than that. Guess you can’t teach stupid…”
Swift, on the other hand, hasn’t said anything about the rumors.
In an interview with InStyle for its July 2018 issue, Bella Hadid addressed rumors of getting cosmetic work done, once and for all. “People think I got all this surgery or did this or that,” says Hadid. “And you know what? We can do a scan of my face, darling. I’m scared of putting fillers into my lips. I wouldn’t want to mess up my face.”
To this day, Kim Kardashian hasn’t fessed up to any plastic surgery. And way back in 2010 during an interview with Nightline, she denied rumors that she had plastic surgery on her breasts or nose. “Trust me honey,” she said, “if I take this bra off, you will tell me I need to get them done. I’m totally not against plastic surgery. … I’ve tried Botox before. That’s the only thing that I’ve done. “I’ve never had my nose done,” she added.
Kellie Pickler hasn’t gone on the record about the plastic surgery rumors, including a nose job, Botox, and breast implants.
Same for Emily Blunt: Though there are plenty of rumors she’s had a nose job, facelift, and chin implants, Blunt hasn’t spoken out about any of it.
In April 2014, Alexa Ray Joel denied she had gotten a boob job or plastic surgery on her face. But she did admit to a nose job. “On a personal (and slightly ridiculous note): I would just like to add that all of the continuously circulating rumors that I have had extensive ‘face-work’ and undergone breast-augmentation surgery is simply and entirely 100 percent false,” she wrote on her Facebook at the time. “The only thing I have ever had done is my nose, which I have always been completely candid, honest, and open about.”
Finally addresses ‘PR stunts’ following accusation Liam Neeson relationship is ‘fake’
There’s been a ton of speculation online surrounding Anderson and Neeson’s relationship
Pamela Anderson has responded to the idea of ‘PR stunts’ following claims that her supposed relationship with Liam Neeson is ‘fake’.
Back in July,Neeson and Anderson caused quite a stir during the press tour promoting their new movie, The Naked Gun, where the two actors played romantic interests, Frank Drebin Jr and Beth Davenport.
Not only had the pair been gushing about one another – with Neeson previously saying that he was ‘madly in love’ with Anderson – but they also packed on the PDA on the red carpet.
It led many fans to question whether there could be something between the two, away from their on-screen chemistry. Others, however, claimed it was all a ruse to promote The Naked Gun, with sources telling gossip columnist Rob Shuter that the alleged romance was ‘business’ only.
The pair has also addressed the speculation surrounding their relationship before, though not in the way many expected.
Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson caused a bit of a stir during the press tour for The Naked Gun (Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures)
Amongst all the chatter about whether their relationship is real, however, Anderson has spoken out about ‘PR stunts’, firmly stating that it is something she would never partake in.
“I do not and will never feed into PR stunts,” The Last Showgirl star said at the Deauville American Film Festival. “That would be a death sentence. I’m authentically driven. I’m superstitious when it comes to love. And I’m not comfortable sharing any shred of my romantic life.
“I know I’ll fall in love again and again on screen. That is my job. If we do it well, you will feel it, a kind of projection. It is the greatest compliment.
“So please think positive. And I appreciate your good wishes. There are no silly games being played. I’m sincere.”
The pair packed on the PDA at the red carpet (John Phillips/Getty Images)
She further added: “Do not mistake my kindness for weakness or my boldness for bitterness. I’m here on this journey, not for money or for fame, but to see what I’m made of in truth, hard work, and to leave behind an honest legacy my family can be proud of.”
Despite all the speculation in recent weeks, a source speaking to UNILAD has insisted that what fans have seen between Anderson and the Taken star is ‘genuine’.
“Everything between Liam and Pam has been genuine and neither of them would ever take part in a publicity stunt like that,” they shared, adding: “It’s so absurd, neither of them needs that publicity.”
The insider went on to say that reports about the actors’ apparent connection being purely for marketing purposes are ‘not correct at all’.
UNILAD has previously contacted Anderson and Neeson’s representatives for comment.
Featured Image Credit: CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images
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