A 22-year-old influencer and Latin musician was killed in an ambush-style shooting in Northridge in the early hours of Saturday morning, authorities said.
Maria de la Rosa was fatally shot when multiple rounds were fired at several people sitting in a car parked on Bryant Street near Tampa Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Witnesses described seeing two men approach the vehicle around 1:25 a.m. Saturday, police said. De la Rosa was transported to a hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.
No further information was available on the suspects or whether the others inside the car were wounded.
De la Rosa released her first song, “No me llames” (“Don’t Call Me”) in August under the name DELAROSA. The most recent post on her Instagram account, which has more than 40,000 followers, shows her with an electric guitar in a recording studio and is captioned “Ocupada cocinando en el Stu,” meaning “Busy cooking in the Stu[dio],” alluding to the upcoming release of more music.
Many people left messages expressing grief for the loss of the young performer in the comments, including several figures in the Latin music community such as music producer Jimmy Humilde and Juan Moises, the lead singer of Los Gemelos de Sinaloa.
In a message in Spanish, music producer and engineer Times J Martinez wrote that she was a young and talented musician.
“Me duele que alla sido con violencia,” he wrote, or “It hurts that it happened with violence.”
The motive for De la Rosa’s shooting is unknown, and so far no arrests have been made, police said. Anyone with information is asked to contact Valley Bureau homicide detectives at (818) 374-9550. Anonymous tips can be left at (800) 222-8477 or at the Crime Stoppers website.
Isla Fisher has opened up about her ‘challenging’ divorce from Sacha Baron CohenCredit: John Russo for NewBeautyHer comic ex was recently linked to a woman half his ageCredit: BackGrid
“I definitely feel like there’s something about the divorce club that anyone in it understands in a way other people don’t. It’s a different grief.
“I feel like creating a new identity after your divorce is so fun, though. You get to reflect on your values and goals, explore new interests, focus on what you want and rebuild your sense of self.”
Isla made her comments in an interview for New Beauty magazine, for which she also posed in a series of outfits.
Sacha and Isla in 2013Credit: GettyCommenting on her split from actor Sacha Baron Cohen, Now You See Me star Isla Fisher, 49, said: ‘I’m not going to lie, it’s been a really challenging time.’Credit: John Russo for NewBeautyAussie star Isla made her comments in an interview for New Beauty magazine, for which she also posed in a series of outfitsCredit: John Russo for NewBeauty
SACHA Baron Cohen hooked up with a stunning Kylie Jenner lookalike 28 years his junior – just hours after his ex-wife said she had “cried” over being a single woman.
Sacha Baron Cohen hooked up with a stunning Kylie Jenner lookalike 28 years his juniorCredit: BackGridThe comic, 54, was spotted with American influencer Kelsey Calemine, 26, in HollywoodCredit: BackGridSacha appeared to exchange numbers with Kelsey before they left the nightspot in separate carsCredit: BackGrid
After they had left an exclusive new nightspot in Hollywood, the movie star chatted intimately with Kelsey, before handing her his pink mobile phone, as she appeared to tap her number into it.
Sacha, who is just two years younger than Kelsey’s 56-year-old dad, had spent two hours inside the club between 1am and 3am on Friday morning.
Kelsey and her friend had also emerged from it when the actor got talking to her outside.
Brunette Kelsey – wearing a figure-hugging pink dress – leaned in close to the actor as he whispered into her ear.
The US socialite and foodie influencer – who has 2.8million Instagram followers and is friends with Kendall and Kylie Jenner, and entrepreneur Lauren Perez – spent several minutes laughing and chatting with Sacha.
After appearing to exchange phone numbers they finally got into separate Ubers, as he waved fondly at her.
An onlooker said: “Sacha arrived at 1am at a hot new exclusive nightclub that is just up and coming in Hollywood.
“He was on his own with no security.
“He left the club at 3am just seconds after Kelsey and her friend left.
“He instantly noticed her.
“He was staring at Kelsey and then walked over and started chatting to her. Someone told me he had been flirting with her inside the club.
“Outside they were both very flirty and they didn’t stop laughing.
“He then walked over to her Uber when it came and gave her his phone which had a pink case and she typed her number into it.”
She has a mega-wealthy real estate developer father Robert Peck, 56.
Witnesses told how Sacha was flirting with Kelsey inside the club before being spotted chatting outsideCredit: BackGridKelsey Kelsey was previously linked to ex-England and Chelsea footballer Ben ChilwellCredit: InstagramSacha has recently divorce from actress Isla Fisher after 13 years of marriage, and have three childrenCredit: Getty
Insiders said Sacha, who was wearing a brown jacket and white trainers, has been “playing the field” after his marriage split to Isla.
She revealed that creating a fresh life from “a grassroots level” has been “tough”.
Discussing the moment her furniture arrived, Isla added: “I did have a bit of a cry because this was my first time as a single woman, being in a home of my own.”
‘LONG TENNIS MATCH MARRIAGE’
She and Sacha announced their split in April last year, saying that after a “long tennis match” their marriage had come to an end.
They met in 2001 and married nine years later in March 2010. They have three children.
Isla previously revealed how the methods of Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung had helped her heal from the divorce.
The Jungian method is a therapeutic approach that explores dreams and symbols.
In a statement at the time, Sacha and Isla said: “We are proud of all we’ve achieved together and, continuing our great respect for each other, we remain friends and committed to co-parenting our wonderful children.”
In July Isla admitted: “I’ve had a tough couple of years but I’m making it through.”
It was understood the pair resolved their split amicably.
Pals of Sacha said that he’s enjoying being single and is having fun but he also gives out his number for career advice because of his respect in the industry.
Sacha became famous for his comic creation Ali G, with television series and even a movieCredit: Getty – ContributorSacha’s next comic character Borat saw him become even more famous, with a movie and a sequelCredit: Alamy
She posted on Instagram: “For all those men who say ‘Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free’ here’s an update for you. Nowadays 80 per cent of women are against marriage. Why? They realise it’s not worth buying an entire pig just to get a little sausage.”
They spent two hours at a Beverly Hills steakhouse and then left in a limo.
SACHA’S DATES
Kelsey – who has a food page where she reviews restaurants – was snapped in April with basketball player Michael Porter Jr, 27, at an Italian eatery in St Tropez, France.
She posts videos on social media of herself eating food and then rating it.
On her TikTok page she describes herself with the title: “I love food and food loves me.”
She also has a channel called “Cooking w Kels” where she shows her followers meals that she has made.
On Friday she posted pictures to her 2.8million followers on Instagram at a fashion event wearing the same pink dress as in our exclusive snaps.
She captioned it: “Lowkey eating.”
Fans posted online that Kelsey was bought a Tesla by dad Rob to “encourage her to drive” and that she once had an OnlyFans page.
Sacha rose to comedy fame in the 1990s with his character Ali G, a wannabe gangster with the catchphrase, “Is it because I is black?”
He won more fans with characters Borat Sagdiyev, a bigoted Kazakh journalist, and Brüno Gehard, a flamboyant Austrian fashion reporter.
It led to film hits including the Madagascar franchise, Anchorman 2 and Grimsby.
Michael Duarte’s wife, Jess, has paid tribute following his deathCredit: GoFundMeJess said she could feel her late husband ‘moving mountains’Credit: Instagram
Duarte’s wife, Jess, has spoken out for the first time and told TMZ she’s “struggled” what to do.
She paid a glowing tribute to him on social media.
“I plan to keep his legacy going not only for him, but his family,” she wrote on Instagram.
“He gave everyone every bit of him so it’s my turn to give it back.
The influencer was a dad-of-oneCredit: Instagram / @foodwithbearhands
More to follow… For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos.
A deputy for the Medina County Sheriff’s Office in Texas fatally shot California-based food influencer Michael Duarte last week, a police spokesperson confirmed to TMZ.
The outlet reported on Wednesday that Duarte, who amassed a following on social media as “FoodWithBearHands,” died Nov. 8 after deputies responded to a disturbance call in Castroville, Texas. Law enforcement reported to a “male subject with a knife acting erratically.” The spokesperson alleges that Duarte threatened and approached the responding deputy, and did not follow numerous “verbal commands” to get on the ground.
“Duarte charged toward the deputy while yelling, ‘I’m going to kill you,’” the spokesperson told TMZ. The spokesperson added that the deputy fired two rounds from her “duty weapon” and struck Duarte. He was reportedly given medical aid at the scene and transferred to a nearby hospital, where he died. He was 39.
Neither representatives for the Medina County Sheriff’s Office or Duarte immediately responded to requests for confirmation on Wednesday.
Barbecue pellet company Bear Mountain BBQ announced Duarte’s death on Tuesday in a joint statement shared to his Instagram page. A GoFundMe fundraiser created to benefit his family confirms that Duarte died “in a horrible accident on Saturday” while he was traveling in Texas, three days after he and his wife celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary.
“The world may know him as ‘FoodwithBearHands,’ but to us, he was a loving husband, father, brother, and a great friend to many,” reads the fundraiser description. “We ask that you lift Michael’s family up in prayer during this extremely difficult time, especially for his 6 year old daughter Oakley, and his wife Jessica.”
The GoFundMe seeks to raise $100,000 to support Duarte’s family in covering funeral expenses and “bringing him back home to California.” Donors have raised more than $65,000 as of Wednesday afternoon.
Duarte, raised in the desert town of Calipatria, began his professional culinary career working in several restaurants in San Diego, he said in October. He began posting videos on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic. After a “mental health crisis that led me to rehab,” Duarte continued to post cooking videos during his time off, including his first video, which featured his daughter, he said.
“That’s when I realized how happy creating content made me,” he wrote. “Over time, I began to see it wasn’t just a hobby — it could be a business, something bigger than myself.”
Over the years, he shared cooking recipes for alligator, iguana, frog legs, smoked duck and a variety of other dishes. His YouTube channel boasts a following of more than 260,000 subscribers and his Instagram page touts even more, with 845,000-plus followers.
“He had a rare gift for capturing the true spirit of BBQ: the smoke, the stories, the laughter, and the love for good food that brings people together,” Bear Mountain BBQ continued its statement.
The statement added: “But beyond the work, Michael was so much more. A proud dad who lit up every time he spoke about his daughter. A devoted husband whose love for his family was the center of everything he did. A good man with a generous heart, whose warmth and kindness touched everyone he met.”
OVER one million people watched as Brittany Miller made the perfect roast potato over the weekend – for her perfect twins in her perfect home with her perfect smile.
But behind the 29-year-old influencer’s flawless façade lies a sinister web of lies which saw her fake cancer and con her followers. Now, for the first time we reveal the truth behind her shock scam – and why she’ll stop at nothing to achieve fame.
Brittany Miller now has a huge social media following – but her past is unknown to manyCredit: instagram/@brittanyhmillerrrThe mum-of-two has created a picture-perfect family life with boyfriend Ash GriffithsCredit: instagram/@brittanyhmillerrr
In 2017, Brittany was an unknown 21-year-old living in Oxfordshire, with dreams of becoming the next big social media influencer. Her small online community were then left shocked when she claimed to have been diagnosed with stage three gastric cancer.
Her friends rallied around her – a crowdfunding page was set up to help support her financially and interest around her started growing.
But then just as fast as her cancer news started spreading – it then disappeared and wasn’t mentioned again. No trace of her extraordinary lie could be found online.
It wasn’t until 2020 when Brittany collaborated with a breast cancer awareness charity that her former best friend decided to speak out – revealing the whole thing had been a scam.
Brittany lied to us all – not just her friends but also her followers online
Former friend
The police have confirmed to The Sun that Brittany was indeed convicted of her crime – fraud by false representation.
In July 2020, she was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and was forced to pay compensation and costs to the Crown Prosecution Service.
Her criminal record will no longer show up on basic checks, which has left her victims furious.
Speaking anonymously, a former pal revealed that Brittany had in fact been the one to set up the JustGiving page and had begged her friends to circulate it for her.
They told us: “Brittany lied to us all – not just her friends but also her followers online.
“Now people are following her and they have no idea what she is really like.
“Yes it happened years ago but lying about cancer is really wrong. Lots of her followers will have family members living with cancer but little do they know that every time they watch one of her videos, they are giving money to a fraud.”
MAKING CASH AND FALLING OUT
Indeed, Brittany has built herself a successful online career. Her videos are mostly her dishing up huge meals, making home comfort food or showing hauls from Temu or Shein.
It might not be groundbreaking stuff but she has 3.5 million people following her on TikTok.
Brittany now posts wholesome online content – but a lie from her past has come back to haunt herCredit: instagram/@brittanyhmillerrrShe welcomed twin boys Elijah and Emiliano last year – and they often feature in her videosCredit: instagram/@brittanyhmillerrrOne of her latest videos – watched by over one million followers – showed her making roast potatoes
Her boyfriend, Ash Griffiths, regularly features in her clips and in July last year she gave birth to identical twins, Elijah and Emiliano, who have also become a big part of her content.
The couple recently moved into a plush new home in East Sussex, thanks to the proceeds from Brittany’s TikTok account.
Looking back, another friend recalled how Brittany would tell her she was in hospital, having treatment, including radiotherapy and would guilt trip her when she wasn’t available to hang out with her.
Things came to a head when the pal accused Brittany of stealing money from her grandma.
In messages seen by The Sun, someone appearing to be Brittany admits to taking the cash but blames it on the strong medication she was taking. The pair fell out shortly after.
In the weeks and months after Brittany’s crime was revealed, there has been a lot of online speculation but she has never addressed what happened.
The former pal told us: “Brittany has done what she can to erase her history and will delete any comments referencing it.
“It’s pretty scary to think she was happy to lie about cancer and makes you wonder just how far she will go to be super successful.
“This isn’t about getting revenge on her, it’s about people knowing the truth, which they deserve.”
The star is often seen dishing up huge meals and making home comfort food
PAST MISTAKES AND PRESENT ISSUES
The cancer scam wasn’t the only time Brittany has been caught telling lies.
In 2018, she was convicted of travelling on the railway without having paid the fare. She gave the officer of the railway company a fake name and address. She was fined £320.
Ash, who is the father of their twins, was even quizzed on her being an alcoholic and a “druggy.”
I’m in the spotlight, I get millions of views every video, I get it, there’s nasty people out there
Brittany on her fame
Unlike in the past, Brittany decided to be very open about what had been going on and, in an emotional video, she acknowledged that someone reported her to social services, not only accusing her of child abuse, but holding her responsible for “lots of things”.
She confirmed that she “got questioned about everything” and was “really upset” when she spoke to them on the phone, so much so that she “kept having to pause” because she was crying so much.
No further action was taken but the whole incident left Brittany shaken up.
She said at the time: “People are so desperate for my downfall and bringing me down, but bringing my children into it is ludicrous – why would you want to do that to them, innocent babies?
“Do what you want to me, whatever, but to them, innocent children who are clearly very happy and healthy babies, that’s crazy, you’re an actual weirdo, you’re an actual loser.”
Brittany added: “Never in a million years did I think I’d have to go through something like this – obviously, I’m in the spotlight, I get millions of views every video, I get it, there’s nasty people out there, I understand that.
“I just think, how cruel can you actually be? So, so cruel.”
It’s not just Brittany who has been left shaken up by it all – her former friends now fear they will be targeted by trolls accusing them of spreading lies to social services.
An insider said: “It feels like trouble follows Brittany. She might have this perfect life on social media but it’s not the truth. This drama with social services won’t be the last she’s involved in. But she’s built up an incredible following now – and they will support her, no matter what.”
Brittany has been contacted for comment.
What are the symptoms of stomach cancer?
Stomach cancer symptoms can depend on where cancerous cells have grown and replicated in the stomach.
According to The Mayo Clinic, common symptoms of stomach cancer may include:
Heartburn
Feeling full after small portions of food
Stomach pain
Nausea
Indigestion
Unintentional weight loss
Feeling bloated after eating
Trouble swallowing
If you’re worried that any of these symptoms may apply to you, it’s probably a good idea to get them checked out.
