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The death of Anthony Myrie, a NY state prison inmate, has become a cause celebre -- with Cardi B and Meek Mill suggesting a cover-up -- which is forcing the prison to release new details about the mystery.

New York Department of Corrections spokesperson Thomas Mailey tells TMZ ... the death of Anthony Myrie on February 11 at the Greene Correctional Facility near Albany "appears to be consistent with sudden cardiac arrest."

Mailey says the prison typically doesn't provide facts about an ongoing investigation, but it's making an exception due to "the abundance of misinformation in circulation."

After news of Myrie's death came out ... Cardi and Meek both shared a message from Myrie's family, alleging prison guards may have been responsible for hurting him. They also accused prison officials of lying about where his body was being held to "buy time to cover this up."

According to Mailey ... Myrie was involved in a 3-on-1 fight with other inmates, but officers broke it up without using force. Mailey says Myrie was examined after the incident and the medical staff found no injuries.

However, Mailey says Myrie complained of chest pain shortly afterward while he was waiting to be interviewed by prison staff. When they took him back to the medical unit, he collapsed ... "unconscious and unresponsive."

He was given emergency medical services by the staff before being transferred to Albany Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Ex-"Deadliest Catch" star Jake Harris is sitting behind bars -- and has been for more than 3 weeks -- after he was arrested for felony DUI and drug possession ... TMZ has learned.

The incident went down back on January 23 in Skagit County, Washington where cops say the 33-year-old wouldn't identify himself to park rangers, who tried pulling him over. Harris took off with his RV, forcing state troopers to chase him down and force him to stop ... according to docs obtained by TMZ.

Cops say the trooper noticed signs of drug use once they pulled over Harris -- pinpoint pupils, bloodshot eyes and pale face. They also say he could not stand still ... shaking the entire time and talking fast. Meanwhile, a K-9 alerted cops to drugs in the RV.

Cops say they found a half ounce of heroin and other paraphernalia associated with the selling of drugs. Cops say they also found a shotgun Harris claims he bought from someone for $150 and a "ball" of heroin. Turns out it was stolen.

He was arrested and charged with 4 felonies -- DUI, possession of a controlled substance, maintaining a vehicle or premises for drug trafficking and possession of a stolen firearm. They also hit him driving on a suspended license.

Harris was skipper of the Cornelia Marie before leaving "Deadliest Catch" in 2012, and has struggled with drugs.

His bail's been set at $200k.

Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid say their legal war with the NFL is over -- after striking a confidential settlement with the league.

Kaepernick and Reid had filed a lawsuit against the NFL claiming owners and league officials colluded to keep them off NFL rosters because they chose to take a knee during the national anthem at NFL games.

The league had adamantly denied blackballing Kaepernick ... even after President Donald Trump publicly urged owners to fire any "son of a bitch" who didn't stand for the anthem.

Kap's attorneys, Mark Geragos and Ben Meiselas, issued a statement saying, "For the past several months, counsel for Mr. Kaepernick and Mr. Reid have engaged in an ongoing dialogue with representatives of the NFL."

"As a result of those discussions, the parties have decided to resolve the pending grievances. The resolution of this matter is subject to a confidentiality agreement so there will be no further comment by any party."

Reid was picked up by the Carolina Panthers during the 2018 season and on Monday, the safety signed a $22 million 3-year extension. Kaepernick is still a free agent.

We shot Kaepernick arriving in L.A. over the weekend -- but he remained silent when it came to his case against the NFL.

Kaepernick initially filed his lawsuit in October 2017 -- and, as part of the case, a bunch of NFL honchos were deposed ... including Jerry Jones, Bob McNair, John Elway, Robert Kraft, Pete Carroll and more.

Kaepernick first began taking a knee during the 2016 NFL season, while he was still a member of the San Francisco 49ers.

The QB opted out of his contract with the 49ers in March 2017 -- and has not been picked up by another NFL team since then.

When asked about Kaepernick during the State of the NFL speech during Super Bowl week, NFL Commish Roger Goodell insisted that Kap's unemployment was a direct result of his football ability ... and not outside politics.

Kap supporters have strongly disagreed -- pointing out a slew of QBs with inferior experience and stats who got try-outs and contracts with NFL teams over the past 2 years.

Story developing ...

Justin Bieber's mom wants his fans to understand the challenges her son is facing ... after multiple reports about him battling depression came out.

We got Pattie Mallette Friday at LAX, and asked how her famous son's holding up. Pattie didn't confirm Justin's getting treatment for depression, as reported, but she did tell us she's proud of how he's holding up under immense pressure.

She went on to point out just about everything Justin does becomes public news, and gave him props for holding up under those conditions.

As you know, Justin's recently opened up about some of his old vices, including sex and drugs. He also revealed he abstained from sex in order to get closer to God.

Pattie makes it clear, Justin gets a big thumbs-up from Mom on the way he's handling the pitfalls of fame ... and life, in general.

What dad bod?!?

Tom Brady and Gisele spent Valentine's Day in Costa Rica -- and shocker, they look AMAZING.

Gisele looked like typical Gisele on Thursday as she hit the beach in her bikini -- sexy as hell, legs for days, toned abs, etc.

Tom on the other hand ... yeah, he's handsome too -- but, it looks like he's made some progress in the abs department since last year when the Internet clowned him for looking soft in the middle.

Of course, the big difference ... the "dad bod" pics were taken in July 2018 -- during the NFL offseason. These new pics were taken just 11 days after the Patriots won the Super Bowl ... so, football shape.

Still, the Brady fam was living it up on vacay -- with Tom even busting out the surfboard to catch a few waves in his Under Armour board shorts and rash guard (he's a UA spokesperson).

A bunch of Mark Wahlberg's old and seemingly forgotten stuff has been found in abandoned storage units, and now ... a lot of it's hitting the auction block.

"Storage Wars" star Rene Nezhoda tells TMZ ... his friend Kevin went to a storage facility in the San Fernando Valley a few weeks back and bought 3 small lockers for $3k, which turned out to contain the actor's gear from years ago.

We're told the units contained some personal items -- family photos, kids' handprints and a dog's ashes -- but fortunately, Kevin was able to track down Mark's management and return them as a good deed ... free of charge.

All the other stuff is up for grabs, though ... with Wahlberg's blessing. As you can see in the pics, it includes old trophies and awards, golf photos, mementos from his "Boogie Nights" days, and yes ... Marky Mark memorabilia. There's also some furniture.

As for why Wahlberg lost ownership of the lockers -- Rene suspects someone on Mark's team simply forgot to pay the rent, and after 3 months of not paying, the lockers can go up for sale.

Kevin swooped and it's looking like a solid move. The items go up for auction Saturday.

Glen "Big Baby" Davis won't go to jail after he was allegedly caught with a quarter-pound of weed ... TMZ Sports has learned the ex-NBA star cut a deal in his case and is officially off the hook.

The former Celtics PF was busted back in February 2018 after cops say they found 126 grams of marijuana on him along with $92,164 in a briefcase at his Maryland hotel.

He was arrested and hit with 7 charges -- including a felony count of drug possession with intent to distribute ... which carries a maximum of FIVE YEARS in jail.

But, Davis reached an agreement with prosecutors last month to avoid time behind bars ... agreeing to pay the maximum fine of $15,000 in exchange for having the charges dropped.

Technically, the case was placed on the "Stet docket" -- which, in Maryland, means the case is essentially inactive, but not entirely erased. The case can be reopened if Davis missteps in the next 3 years. It's NOT a conviction. Davis did not have to enter a plea.

Davis' attorney, Margaret Mead, tells us it was a "reasonable resolution" to the case ... adding, "He wants to make a comeback and he's certainly not a drug dealer. He's not any of those things."

Davis played in the NBA from 2007 to 2015 -- winning a ring with the Celtics in 2008 -- and piled up 4,111 career points.

Offset spoiled Cardi B on Valentine's Day with lobster, steak, champagne and diamonds -- but he also spoiled her attempt to drop a deuce! Yep, love stinks.

The Migos rapper spared no expense Thursday night, showering Cardi with TONS of gifts and romantic gestures. Fresh outta the doghouse ... Offset set up a candlelit bathtub session, and had his wife dripping in diamonds -- practically from head to toe.

But, the highlight of the night was Offset busting into the bathroom while Cardi attempted to, ummm ... clear the decks. Offset made it clear ... there was more than love in the air at that moment.

Check out the vid, 'cause in the end ... everything ended up exactly as you'd think.

A key part of Jussie Smollett's story is not tracking ... law enforcement sources tell TMZ.

TMZ broke many of the details of Jussie's story just hours after the attack ... the rope, the bleach, the statement by the attackers, "This is MAGA country" and also that his 2 attackers were white.

We have now confirmed, the 2 Nigerian men who were picked up by police at O'Hare Airport are black. Police say the 2 men are the same ones who were captured on surveillance video around the time of the incident.

Jussie told Robin Roberts this week, he's positive the 2 men on the surveillance video are the same 2 men who attacked him.

When we first reported the details of the story -- including Jussie saying the 2 men were white -- we were told twice, after we posted, it accurately reflected Jussie's version of events. We also spoke with our Jussie sources Friday and they reaffirmed he had said that day the men were white.

One of the reasons why it's so important ... as we reported, Jussie says the men hurled a racist epithet and screamed, "This is MAGA country." As you know, Trump reportedly made hateful remarks about African countries, calling them "Shithole countries."

The 2 men were both extras on "Empire."

8:40 AM PT -- When 21 Savage turned himself in Friday morning at the Liberty County Sheriff's Dept, he was booked for theft by deception.

He was released on his own recognizance and will get his day in court to face the charge. Unless, as we expect, he settles up the $17,000 tab with the club promoter.

21 Savage is facing a felony warrant, just days after he was released from ICE custody ... TMZ has learned.

We've learned in 2016, 21 was booked to play a club gig in Southern Georgia. We're told 21 got a $9,500 advance from the promoter and got the $7,500 balance when he showed up at the club.

For some reason, 21 bailed without taking the stage, but still left with the money. In all, the promoter claimed she was out $17,000.

The promoter went to cops in October 2016, filed a police report and then filed paperwork to get a felony warrant for theft by deception. The warrant was issued, but sat for more than 2 years.

Our sources say, after 21 was picked up by ICE on Super Bowl Sunday, the club owner decided to pursue the criminal case. The promoter called the sheriff's office to pick 21 up on the warrant.

21 showed up at the Sheriff's Dept. Friday in an attempt to clear up the matter ... presumably by repaying the promoter and having the matter go away.

21's lawyer, Abbi Taylor, tells TMZ, "Mr. Joseph has committed no criminal offense. We look forward to an amicable resolution between the parties in the near future with no criminal implications whatsoever."

It's obviously critical that the case is dropped, because a felony could torpedo 21's chances to stay in the U.S.

Betcha didn't think pottery could be so appealing ... but, here's Serena Williams to prove it's definitely possible.

The tennis superstar put more than just her clay curves on display at a pottery studio on Thursday ... rockin' a leopard print shirt and some jean shorts that would make Daisy Duke proud.

Serena -- a Jehovah's Witness -- doesn't celebrate holidays, so she hit up Avenue Pottery in South Florida with some friends for GALentine's Day instead!!!

Serena picked out the matching outfits with her friend ... and posted about the experience, saying, "I’m really getting into pottery."

Of course, Serena addressed not celebrating holidays when her baby, Alexis Olympia, turned 1 back in September ... saying, "Olympia doesn't celebrate birthdays. We're Jehovah's Witnesses, we don't do that."

Williams' hubby certainly doesn't seem to mind not celebrating V-Day ... saying, "Those pottery skills tho" with a set of eye emojis.

Yeah, dude. Pottery skills.

Soulja Boy and Blac Chyna have taken their relationship to the expensive shopping spree in Beverly Hills level ... and on Valentine's Day no less.

The new couple was out together Thursday night for the romantic holiday and seen leaving Saks Fifth Avenue. Soulja did all the gentlemanly things for Chyna -- carried her bags, opened the door for her -- while she treated a fan to an autograph.

You can see it in this clip ... Soulja already doesn't want to let go of bae ... not even for a second.

We broke the story ... the 2 began dating on the DL recently after getting things started in their DMs, then met up at Sean Kingston's L.A. penthouse before being spotted dancing at a post-Grammys party.

Dave Chappelle's all about making things right, which is why he hand-delivered tickets to a couple who fell victim to a Craigslist scam ... so they could make his Valentine's Day show after all.

The comedian surprised his swindled fans in Charlotte Thursday by showing up at the restaurant they were at and delivering tix to see him perform at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center that night.

Their story caught Dave's attention after it was reported Wednesday that the woman, Deidra Dickens, thought she had purchased tickets to his V-Day show for her and her husband -- a huge Chappelle fan -- but got scammed.

Dickens claims she paid $500 for 4 tickets to a seller on Craiglist, but after she sent the money ... that person went silent and she never got them.

What they got ended up being way better, though ... because Dave delivered in person. He also chatted and snapped some pics with the couple, but made sure to tell them to get their tickets from reliable sources from now on.

Did you know Ben Affleck made Warner Bros. stitch the No. 12 into his Batman costume during his entire run as the superhero as an ode to Tom Brady?!?

Neither did we ... 'cause it ain't true -- but Affleck joked it was Thursday on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' ... and the TB12 shout-out was hilarious!!!

Ben spoke with Kimmel on the late-night talk show and officially retired forever from playing The Dark Knight ... and to commemorate the moment -- Jimmy said they'd hang his costume in the rafters.

Guillermo -- Jimmy's ultra funny companion on the show -- brought out the bat costume (in his own Robin outfit) ... when suddenly, it was revealed the cape had "Batfleck 12" inscribed on it!!!

Ben said the number was a shout-out to none other than football's G.O.A.T., saying, "That’s Brady’s number. You can’t be a hero unless you wear number 12.”

Affleck added -- jokingly -- Warner Bros. "actually paid $80 million to digitally remove it from every movie.”

It was a funny moment ... but, it was hardly the best part of the skit -- that involved a Matt Damon thong and Affleck's nose.

Yeah, watch the clip.

Geez, Miranda Lambert dumps ONE salad on a woman, and Nashville cops get flooded with frantic 911 calls ... and the recordings are damn entertaining.

The first call came from a staffer at Stoney River steakhouse, where saladgate went down. TMZ broke the story ... Miranda was out to dinner with her mom and a male friend and got into a heated argument with another table of patrons.

As the restaurant staffer put it to the 911 operator, "I have 2 guests about to get into a fistfight. Miranda Lambert got into it with another couple."

She goes on to describe the yelling and cussing and then dropped a dime on the country star, saying ... "Miranda's trying to hit people and she's flipping over on 'em!"

As we told you ... the showdown climaxed with Miranda dumping her salad in the lap of a woman at the other table.

Later, the restaurant's manager placed his own 911 call, begging cops to send help because the fight had totally disrupted his dining room.

Russian president Vladimir Putin hit the Judo mats in Russia on Thursday to train for more than an HOUR -- and if you took one look at his training partner, it's obvious why.

Russian officials told media 66-year-old Putin trained with 2016 Olympic bronze medal winner Natalia Kuzyutina during a session in Sochi. They trained for an hour and officials insist Vladdy's "in very good physical shape."

By the way, Kuzyutina is a total babe -- besides being a world-class athlete, she also does some bikini modeling ... and yeah, DAMN.

The very next day, Putin continued his public display of fitness -- strapping on his skates and hitting the ice for a hockey workout at Shayna Arena in Sochi. No Kuzyutina this time.

Of course, Putin wore the captain's jersey -- and probably scored about 73 goals ... per usual.

Putin's public display of fitness comes just hours after Trump's doctor released the results of his physical to the media showing POTUS is officially clinically obese (he's 6'3", 243 pounds).

So, the whole thing could be an "I'm in better shape than YOU" message to the commander-in-chief.

As for Trump, he's not exactly a slouch -- dude has good blood pressure (118/80) and his resting heart rate is healthy too (70 beats per minute).

He also loves to golf!

So, we gotta ask ...