Sons of Anarchy star Johnny Lewis, who once dated Katy Perry, strangled an 81-year-old woman to death and killed her cat then died himself in what was considered an accident
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Johnny Lewis struggled with his mental health (Image: Getty Images)
Actor Johnny Lewis had gone to the legendary Writers’ Villa in Los Angeles, California, as part of a major effort to rebuild his life.
But it was there that his long path of destruction finally came to an end in the most harrowing, unimaginable tragedy. Lewis, then 28, inexplicably attacked a neighbour, killed his 81-year-old landlady and her pet cat, before falling to his death.
Just a few years earlier, fresh from starring in popular teen drama The O.C. he had dated Katy Perry.
His fall from grace was as dramatic as it was quick. Things really started to go downhill for the Sons of Anarchy star when he split up with his actor girlfriend Diane Gaeta in 2010, the same year their daughter, Culla May was born.
In October 2011, he suffered head injuries in a horror motorbike accident. Doctors recommended an MRI scan. Lewis’s dad also “pursued and encouraged psychiatric treatment for his son”. But Johnny refused both the scan and treatment.
His behaviour became erratic. In January, 2012, he got into a fight, hitting two men with a bottle. He pleaded no contest to charges of assault with a deadly women. Six weeks later, he was accused of trying to break into a woman’s home, again pleading no contest.
Not long after, a probation official expressed concern for Lewis’s own welfare as well as that of those around him, citing mental health and drug problems. They said Lewis would “continue to be a threat to any community he may reside in”.
His family, in a bid to avoid a trial, pushed for rehab for either marijuana or alcohol addiction. At the beginning of August, 2012, he agreed to be detailed for “time served” with assurances he would spend just a few more days behind bars. He ended up staying in jail for almost two more months. During this time, both his physical and mental health declined.
On September 21, he was released. Five days later, he, his landlady and her cat were dead.
He had spent time at the Writers’ Villa, a B&B for aspiring actors, a couple of years earlier, so it made sense that he wanted to return there as part of his recovery plan. At the time, he was still reeling from a “long and painful” custody battle with Gaeta.
But police were called to the property after neighbours reported a violent rampage. Lewis had apparently jumped over a fence into a neighbouring house, attacking both a house painter and the homeowner.
According to witnesses, he introduced himself as “John, your new neighbour,” before the assault. When officers arrived back at the Villa, they discovered the body of Catherine Davis, the 81-year-old landlady affectionately known as the ‘Hollywood Hills Philanthropist’, inside the property with severe head injuries.
Her cat was also found dead. Lewis’s body was discovered on the driveway below, after he either fell or jumped from the roof, garage or patio, according to LAPD reports.
Los Angeles Magazine later reported that police at the scene “noted that Lewis’s left eye socket was caved in” and that “his skull was smashed just to the left of centre”. Officers concluded he had plunged from either the second floor or the roof and died instantly.
Despite early speculation that substances may have played a part in his behaviour, the full autopsy report released in November 2012 revealed Lewis had no drugs or alcohol in his system. Toxicology tests showed no trace of alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, psychedelic substances or anti-psychotic medication.
Authorities ultimately ruled his death accidental, stating there was no evidence he had been pushed or that he intended to take his own life. The coroner’s report stated: “Decedent died of a fall. We do not have definitive evidence that the decedent intended to kill himself.
“We also do not at this time have any evidence that he was pushed. Therefore, the manner of death is accidental.”
Criminal psychologist Lydia Benecke has suggested Lewis could have suffered from organic personality disorder, which was made worse by the head injury sustained in the 2011 accident.
In the aftermath, Sons of Anarchy creator Kurt Sutter shared a heartfelt message, describing Lewis as “an extremely talented guy, who unfortunately had lost his way”.
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He added: “I am deeply sorry that an innocent life had to be thrown into his destructive path. Yes, it’s a day of mourning, but it’s also a day of awareness and gratitude. Sadly, some of us carry the message by dying.”
Peter Andre has opened up during an exclusive shoot on the heartbreaking reason this Christmas is also bittersweet for him, as he talks about fears for his beloved mum Thea in Australia
Peter Andre is full of festive spirit as he and his wife Emily open the doors to their blended family Christmas, in an exclusive interview with OK!.
But the singer and actor admits that there is one element of the season which is bittersweet – and that is when his he thinks of his beloved mum Thea, who lives on the Gold Coast in Australia with his dad, Savvas.
Now 89, Thea suffers from both Parkinson’s and dementia and Pete, who says he hopes to fly out there after Christmas to see them both and often shares fond updates on his parents Down Under, admits sadly that he does worry about how long his mum, who has various health issues, will be around.
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He confesses, “Of course I worry this could be Mum’s last Christmas. She’s very delicate. Her Parkinson’s has progressed quite a bit. Her speech is almost gone. She’ll say a word or two. It’s heartbreaking, because she’s our world, our pillar of strength.
“Then I see Dad and he’s 92 and with her every single day. But he’s getting delicate now, too. His memory’s going, but I am so grateful that they made that milestone I prayed for – 70 years of marriage in September.”
And the father-of-five confesses candidly that he often gets emotional when he thinks of everything his mum is going through. “It’s a raw pain,” he says. “I’m a grown man, but I still can’t accept in my heart that these things happen to the people I love the most.”
Asked what his biggest Christmas wish would be this year, the star says his hope is to find “a cure for all the ills of old age, or to slow down ageing altogether.”
He adds, “It might not be in my lifetime – or my mum’s, much as I’d pray for it – but I hope it’s there in my children’s lifetime. I’m aiming to live to 115, 120. Wishful thinking, but my hope would be our kids outliving us all.”
And the performer, who was brought up as a Jehovah’s Witness, tells us that although he hasn’t technically followed the Christian religious sect since he was 16, he’s been praying again – “because of my beautiful parents and their health”.
Last month, Peter revealed that Lesley Joseph opening up about her friend Pauline Quirke’s tragic dementia battle felt ‘very close to home’, adding, “No matter how old we are, we’re never too old not to hurt when our parents are going through what they’re going through.
“It kills me for my mum every day when I think about her and when I speak to her and see her, It’s a really cruel battle. It’s very nice when people give an update because it helps other families going through similar situations.”
But there was also great joy in September when Thea and Savvas were able to celebrate 70 years’ married. Peter said at the time, I’m so very grateful that my wonderful mum and dad have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this week. I love them so much, and I prayed for this moment for them.
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“They have received a wonderful letter from the King, and although Mum’s speech is almost non-existent now, I know that her heart will be filled with warmth because of all the love and support. Happy 70th wedding anniversary, Mum and Dad inspiration to us all.”
Singer Peter Andre and his wife, NHS doctor Emily open up during an exclusive shoot about Christmas, Pete’s ‘delicate’ mum and why they’re each others’ ‘rock’
Surrounded by trees, tinsel and one very excited brood, Peter Andre is looking forward to a magical, bustling family Christmas with his wife, NHS doctor Emily, and their blended family.
It’s been another exciting and successful year for the Andres, albeit not without its challenges. But amid all the ups and downs of the past twelve months, Pete says one person has been his constant.
“Emily has been my absolute rock through any tough times and the good,” he says. “She’s my partner in crime. We laugh so much.” Emily adds, “You know, it’s funny, Pete’s name in Greek actually means rock. And he is literally my rock, in every way.”
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Pete’s grown-up children – Princess, 18, and Junior, 20 – have had a particularly memorable year. Junior has continued with his music and moved in with his girlfriend Jasmine, while his sister Princess launched her hit reality show, The Princess Diaries. “They’re great kids,” Pete smiles. “For me, it’s important that they stay humble, and they really are.”
Princess’s fly-on-the-wall series, which Junior regularly appears in, has been renewed for another two seasons thanks to impressive viewing figures, and proud dad Pete says, “I just want them to shine, to show people what they are made of and to be happy.”
Pete and Emily celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary in July, and reflecting on their happy marriage, he says, “Will we make it to 70 years of marriage like my mum and dad? Probably not, as I’m too old! But Emily’s someone I could easily see myself being married to for 70 years.
“We might disagree on the thermostat, but we’ve never had a serious argument in 10 years. We’re solid. When things feel negative and a bit harsh, you realise the love you’ve got.” Laughing, Emily adds, “We also bicker about the freezer – and yes, we do need to keep it full of food we never use!”
Pete admits there is one bittersweet element of the season, however, when his thoughts turn to his beloved mum Thea, who lives in Australia with dad, Savvas.
Now 89, Thea suffers from both Parkinson’s and dementia and Pete, who hopes to fly out there after Christmas to see them both, worries that this Christmas could be his mum’s last.
“Of course I worry this could be Mum’s last Christmas. She’s very delicate”, he says softly. “Her Parkinson’s has progressed quite a bit. Her speech is almost gone. She’ll say a word or two. It’s heartbreaking, because she’s our world, our pillar of strength.
“Then I see Dad and he’s 92 and with her every single day. But he’s getting delicate now, too. His memory’s going, but I am so grateful that they made that milestone I prayed for – 70 years of marriage in September.”
The singer admits he often gets emotional when thinking of his mum’s devastating health struggles. “It’s a raw pain,” he says. “I’m a grown man, but I still can’t accept in my heart that these things happen to the people I love the most.”
Brought up as a Jehovah’s Witness, Pete says that although he hasn’t technically followed the Christian religious sect since he was 16, he has found himself praying again, “because of my beautiful parents and their health”.
But the star is palpably excited when he opens up about his festive plans with Emily, 36. “Growing up as a strict Jehovah’s Witness, we didn’t celebrate Christmas as kids. So to live the magic through my kids is everything. We really go for it, prepping for Santa, the reindeers and all the magic. It’s a beautiful time of year.”
Emily agrees. “We love Christmas. It comes from my family. We always go big, but in a traditional way with stockings, games, the King’s Speech – and usually me falling asleep watching Home Alone!”
One big change this year is that the Andres are heading out to a local restaurant for Christmas lunch. “We usually prep lunch on Christmas eve. Last year it took Pete and I four hours,” explains Emily. “We always wear matching Christmas pyjamas all day, so this might actually be the year I put on some make-up and a nice outfit.”
“Junior and Princess will probably be the first to bring their stockings downstairs on Christmas morning,” Pete says. “It’s sweet that it’s still their favourite part of the day. We make sure Santa doesn’t forget the adults.”
“Princess and Junior are more excited about opening their stockings than the little ones,” agrees Emily. “We cut up a pair of tights to make them, like my family always did. You can get a lot of stuff in a pair of tights – chocolate, little games, socks.”
The day will kick off with the whole family at home – with Pete and Emily’s children Millie, 11, Theo, nine, and Arabella, 20 months, as well as Pete’s older children Princess and Junior and Junior’s girlfriend, Jasmine.
And their home is gorgeously decked out for the festive season, with two Christmas tress and baubles and foliage adorning their banisters. “Theo and Millie have trees in their bedrooms too,” says Pete. “We use lots of sentimental decorations, like ones the kids have made over the years. The house is sparkling.
“I used to think Christmas wasn’t a big deal, but every year I get really excited now seeing all their little eyes light up. England for me at Christmas is like nowhere else. It’s got a bit of a New York, Home Alone vibe. And there’s a lot of us. It’s beautiful chaos.”
The pair do get into it a little when we ask about whether they’ll go large on the presents this year. Pete says he may go “a little crazy”, while Emily says they most definitely will not.
The eldest of their three children together, Millie, is now an official tween, but both her parents agree that she won’t be disappearing off upstairs to look at her phone on Christmas Day – or throwing any mini strops.
Emily says, “I’m kind of strict on screen time. She’s allowed it for one hour on Saturday and one hour on Sunday, no social media, no WhatsApp and only downstairs. I don’t mind telly as we’re all together, but they don’t have iPads or phones in the week. She doesn’t even complain, bless her.”
“There are no moody moments,” Pete adds. “She’s thriving at secondary school and she loves spending time with us at home. We don’t have to convince her. She’s a sweetheart.”
Pete admits, catering for a family where the ages range from one to 20 can be “crazy”, but Emily says the dynamic works really well. “The older two are so lovely with the little ones,” she says. “ Just today Junior came in and picked Belle up and gave her kisses and cuddles. And Princess is gorgeous with Millie – a real guiding light.
“Millie’s very open with me but she gets really good advice from Princess, and she listens to her as she’s cool and young. They have girlie chats in Millie’s room and that melts my heart. I always wanted a sister for that reason, but I got four brothers instead – which is also great.”
Little Arabella will be a lot more aware this Christmas, which her parents can’t wait to see. They just need to stop her wrecking the decorations. “All I know is my Christmas tree is already getting ruined,” laughs Emily. “She loves the twinkly lights, the presents underneath – she’s obsessed!”
Christmas may be hectic, but Pete and Emily have somehow managed to steal time for some festive romance. “We had a date night the other night,” Emily says. “We go through phases where we’re great, then we go slack.”
“Yeah, it’s so important to remember who you are as a couple,” Pete says. “We’ve started getting date nights back in the diary at last.”
As the couple wind down after a hectic year, they both have big hopes for 2026. Emily’s goal is to move more, she says, before admitting she said the same thing this time last year and still hasn’t managed a workout. She says, “I’m on my feet a lot, but I’m not sure that counts. Isn’t that just being alive?”
Pete, loved-up as ever, would beg to differ. “Yes, and you look amazing! You are 100% going to be like Liz Hurley in your fifties. Whatever she’s doing, she’s doing it right. You’re gorgeous.”
Clearly feeling sentimental as Christmas looms, Pete’s hope is to find “a cure for all the ills of old age, or to slow down ageing altogether.”
He explains, “It might not be in my lifetime – or my mum’s, much as I’d pray for it – but I hope it’s there in my children’s lifetime. I’m aiming to live to 115, 120. Wishful thinking, but my hope would be our kids outliving us all.”
Meanwhile, next year is already looking jam-packed for them both. Emily’s new children’s book – her fifth to date – hits shelves in January.
Aimed at teenagers and entitled Periods: Everything You Need To Know, she admits it could come in useful soon with Millie.“I’m very proud of it. Millie’s 11, so I know I’ll be needing it soon. She loves my other books, which is the cutest thing.”
As for Pete, he jokes “where do I start?” when asked about next year’s projects. “I’ve written my first ever film, so watch this space. I’ve got a UK tour of Frankie Valli in January, I’ve been recording my first album in over 10 years, a tour…
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“And somewhere in between, spending precious time with Mum and Dad and my gorgeous family. Yep, it’s going to be another busy year, but that’s how we like it.”
For tickets to see Peter Andre in The Very Best Of Frankie Valli And The Four Seasons, visit sweeneyentertainments.co.uk/show/the-bestof-frankie-valli-starring-peter-andre
Coronation Street actor Jack P Shepherd, best known as David Platt in the soap, and co-star Ben Price, who plays Nick Tilsley, were left fuming over the actions of a fellow cast member
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Jack P Shepherd as David Platt
Coronation Street stars Jack P Shepherd and Ben Price have exposed some behind the scenes drama on the Cobbles. David Platt star Jack was keen to track down the culprit, after noticing things had been going missing on set.
The soap actors discussed the situation on their podcast with former Corrie co-star Colson Smith, who played Craig Tinker. During the latest episode of the On The Sofa podcast, Ben revealed that although the stars hadn’t received any cake to celebrate Coronation Street’s 65th anniversary, the cast had been gifted with an advent calendar filled with treats.
However, Ben revealed that the well-intentioned festive present had turned “nasty”, as someone in the cast had been taking more chocolates for themselves.
The Nick Tilsley actor shared: “It’s got nasty, and I think we have to talk about it, the advent calendar at work. It’s s****y, it is s****y! Someone gave us one…”
Jack interjected to explain that co-star James Cartwright, who plays Theo Silverton, had kindly presented his Corrie colleagues with a Ferrero Rocher advent calendar.
The star continued: “He brought in loads of calendars for every department – costume got one, makeup got one, cast got one, so on, so on, so on. And he’s gone on holiday now for Christmas.”
“He’s off, he’s left it, he said, ‘open the doors in numerical order’, as an advent calendar is,” Ben added.
Jack then sheepishly admitted: “Well, I started the jump, I started the jump, but let me explain…” Colson quizzed his pal: “Oh! Are you thinking weekends?”
“Exactly that, Colson. So I was in on the Friday, me and Ben were in late on Thursday,” Jack recalled, before sharing that he and Ben had decided to tuck into the chocolates in advance, as none of their colleagues would have been there to open the advent calendar over the weekend.
However, the plan backfired when co-star Joe Tuttine, who portrays Tim Metfalfe, excitedly arrived on set on Monday morning hoping to tuck into Friday, Saturday and Sunday’s chocolates, only to find they had already been eaten.
Jack went on to say that the issue had only gotten worse, as he spotted that even more chocolates had gone missing from forthcoming dates in the calendar once he returned to work.
He said: “So, I started the jump, but today, someone has just taken the p***,” leading Colson to ask if Jack had discovered “any culprits”.
Jack admitted he had initially accused his co-star, Steve McDonald actor Simon Gregson, of pinching the chocolates, adding: “No, I asked. I thought it was Si Gregson, he said no, but he said he knows who it is. And I said, ‘boy or girl?’ and he said, ‘I’m not saying’.”
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Ben mischievously theorised that the chocolate thief would be “someone who would rob your house”, quipping: “If they’re prepared to do that, they’re prepared to do really nasty things!”
When Harry Met Sally director, Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead at their home in Los Angeles with ‘stab wounds in a horror double murder’
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After the tragic news of the death of Rob Reiner and his wife broke, reports about their son Nick’s alleged involvement emerged(Image: Getty Images)
After the tragic news of the death of Rob Reiner and his wife broke this morning, the couple’s son, Nick, has been arrested. Hollywood is in mourning after it was announced that the When Harry Met Sally director and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, had been found dead at their home in Los Angeles.
The bodies of Rob, 78, and his 68-year-old wife were discovered at their property in Brentwood on Sunday with Los Angeles Police confirming they are investigating an “apparent homicide.” Nick, 32, was taken into custody by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department at around 5:46am PST on Monday. He is being held on $4million bail in connection with the murder of his parents, records obtained by the Mirror have revealed.
He was arrested on Sunday at 21:15 local time and booked the following morning. Here’s all we know about Rob’s second son, who had been battling a drug addiction and homelessness in what he says was a “very dark time”…
READ MORE: Rob Reiner murder: Family confirm ‘tragic and sudden’ death in heartbreaking statementREAD MORE: Rob Reiner updates: Actor and wife stabbed to death as stars arrive at house in tears
Battle with drug addiction
Rob and Michele’s second son, Nick, had opened up about his battle with substance abuse issues in the past, which started in his teens. He entered rehab for the first time around his 15th birthday magazine and had already completed more than a dozen stays in rehabilitation facilities by 2016.
In an interview with Parade magazine in 2016, Nick revealed that he was sent to his first rehab when he was still a teenager, beginning what would become a long and difficult cycle of treatment attempts.
By the time he was 22, he said he had been through 17 rehab stays, experiences that later helped shape the semi-autobiographical film Being Charlie, which he co-wrote and which was directed by his father.
Ending up homeless
Nick claimed that his homelessness was a result of choosing not to return to rehab. “If I wanted to do it my way and not go to the programs they were suggesting, then I had to be homeless,” he said.
Claiming he spent many nights on the streets, he told People magazine: “I was homeless in Maine. I was homeless in New Jersey. I was homeless in Texas. I spent nights on the street. I spent weeks on the street. It was not fun.”
Made a film with his dad
Attempting to channel his recovery into a creative project, Nick co-wrote a film, directed by his dad, loosely based on his experience of addiction and homelessness.
After leaving his last rehab facility at 19, the filmmaker stated that he had been working on the film Being Charlie, writing other projects, and trying to stay clean so that he would never have to return to the streets again.
“When I was out there, I could’ve died. It’s all luck. You roll the dice and you hope you make it,” Nick said.
‘A lot of dark years’
Nick claimed that the creative experience with his dad proved valuable, not just in writing the film. “That made me who I am now, having to deal with that stuff. I met crazy great people there, so out of my element.”
Being Charlie was released on May 6, 2015, and at the time, Nick said his priority was remaining sober so that he would never return to the streets again.
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Admitting to a “lot of dark years”, he concluded: “Now, I’ve been home for a really long time, and I’ve sort of gotten acclimated back to being in L.A. and being around my family. But there was a lot of dark years there.”
Rob Reiner’s career and grisly death as star and wife ‘had throats slit’ – all you need to know – The Mirror
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Rob Reiner was best known for being an actor and director and was involved in creating some huge Hollywood films such as When Harry met Sally… and The Princess Bride
Rob was found dead at his home(Image: Getty Images)
What you need to know about Rob Reiner’s successful career and he and his wife’s tragic death
Rob Reiner has risen to fame over the decades for his acting and directing work. He has worked on some of the biggest Hollywood films such as his 1984 directorial debut in This Is Spinal Tap, Stand By Me (1986) and When Harry Me Sally… (1986).
Rob Reiner’s father, Carl, was one of the biggest stars in US TV in his prime and Mel Brooks, Sid Caesar and Norman Lear were all regular guests in the Reiner house. When he was asked about his ‘nepo baby’ status by the Guardian in 2018, Rob said he’d had lots of conversations with fellow actor Michael Douglas – son of movie legend Kirk Douglas – about their shared experience.
Rob Reiner’s son Nick is now in police custody following the deaths of the director and wife Michele, law enforcement sources said on Monday. Nick Reiner, 32, has not been arrested, but is in the custody of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the source said according to TMZ.
Rob and Michele were found in their Los Angeles home by their daughter, Romy. Calls first came into the Los Angeles Fire Department at about 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14.
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Rob started his career in Hollywood as an actor playing Mike ‘Meathead’ Stivic in hit sitcom All in the Family between 1971 and 1979. His other acting credits include parts in 1993 rom-com Sleepless in Seattle, The First Wives Club in 1996, 1998 thriller Primary Colors and 2013 movie The Wolf of Wall Street.
Rob and Michele first crossed paths on the set of the romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally. Rob said their blossoming romance at the time even inspired the film’s heartwarming ending.
Reiner told CNN in 2024 that Harry and Sally were originally going to part ways. “It was going to be the two of them seeing each other after years, talking and then walking away from each other,” Rob said.
READ THE FULL STORY: Rob Reiner’s son in custody after grim murders of parents
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