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Daughter Says South Carolina Funeral Home Put Stranger in Her Mother’s Casket, Lawsuit Alleges

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Daughter Says South Carolina Funeral Home Put Stranger in Her Mother’s Casket, Lawsuit Alleges

A South Carolina daughter arrived at her late mother’s open-casket viewing expecting a final farewell. Instead, a lawsuit claims, she found an unidentified woman in the coffin dressed in her mother’s “Sunday best.”

Iris Gordon had agreed to pay Ocean View Funeral Home $13,820 for her 87-year-old mother’s wake and graveside service after Iris Evans died in January. But when Gordon went to the funeral home to pay her respects, she was met with a horrifying mistake, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday in Horry County and obtained by The Post.

Court documents say Gordon had given Atu Williams, identified as one of the funeral home’s owners, Evans’ black-and-gold African attire, along with a scarf, hat, wig and undergarments to be used for the viewing.

The clothing was intended to create a meaningful final image of Evans for her loved ones — one that reflected how they remembered her dressed in her Sunday best while singing with the church choir, the lawsuit alleges.

Evans was described as a devoted Christian great-grandmother who cherished music and regularly attended church.

On Jan. 30, Gordon and more than 20 relatives gathered at Ocean View Funeral Home for the scheduled open-casket viewing, according to the court filing.

When the family approached the casket, however, they allegedly discovered that the person inside was an “unknown stranger” wearing Evans’ black-and-gold clothing, scarf, hat and wig.

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“Iris was devastated by what she saw and the experience,” the lawsuit states.

The complaint says seeing an unidentified woman dressed as her mother in front of her closest relatives caused Gordon humiliation, embarrassment and severe emotional distress, leaving her to break down at the solemn gathering.

Gordon immediately alerted Ocean View employees and Williams. The lawsuit claims they acknowledged that the funeral home had made the disturbing identification error.

A replacement viewing was arranged for two hours later. When the family returned, they allegedly found Evans in the casket wearing the same clothes that had previously been placed on the unidentified woman, according to court papers.

The complaint does not identify the stranger whose body was mistakenly placed in Evans’ casket. Gordon’s attorney, Benjamin Baroody, did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for additional information.

Gordon says the incident caused emotional distress, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression. She is seeking reimbursement of the $13,820 service cost, along with additional damages that were not specified in the filing.

Ocean View Funeral Home did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.

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Every Sam Elliott Western Film Role Ranked by Critics

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Every Sam Elliott Western Film Role Ranked by Critics

Sam Elliott at the 1883 premiere

Mindy Small/Getty Images

Few performers are as instantly linked to one screen identity as Oscar nominee Sam Elliott. Recognizable for his gravelly Southwestern voice, soulful gaze, and unmistakable mustache, Elliott has spent six decades building a reputation as Hollywood’s quintessential cowboy. His career began with an uncredited appearance in 1967’s “The Way West” and continues today through roles in Taylor Sheridan’s neo-Western projects “1883” and “Landman.”

Even when the movie itself falls outside the traditional Western category — including “Road House,” “The Big Lebowski,” and “A Star Is Born” — Elliott brings the presence of a solitary drifter from the American frontier. Yet despite being regarded as one of the defining cowboy actors of his generation, his list of feature-length Westerns is shorter than many might expect. Several of his titles can also be difficult to locate, even with today’s abundance of streaming services. Still, Elliott has appeared in a number of memorable Western productions, ranging from theatrical releases to made-for-TV favorites. Here is a ranking of every credited Western film role in Sam Elliott’s career, based on reviews and audience ratings.

13. Molly and Lawless John (1972)

By the start of the 1970s, Elliott had become a dependable working actor, with television Westerns making up an important part of his résumé. He appeared in several episodes of CBS’ long-running classic “Gunsmoke” before landing a leading role in a 1972 Western. Elliott played a condemned criminal and skilled manipulator who persuades a sheriff’s wife, portrayed by Vera Miles, to help him break free. While fleeing authorities, the pair encounter a dying Native American woman, leaving Elliott’s character unexpectedly responsible for caring for her infant.

The movie marked one of Elliott’s first major leading roles and served as the feature directorial debut of Gary Nelson, who later made films including “Freaky Friday,” “The Black Hole,” and “Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold.” Even so, the Western is far from the strongest entry for either actor or director. It holds a 5.4 rating on IMDb, while its Rotten Tomatoes audience score is only 29%. The film did receive some recognition, earning a Golden Globe nomination for the song “Take Me Home.”

12. The Desperate Trail (1994)

By the mid-1990s, Elliott’s cowboy image was firmly established, making him a natural fit for the role of Marshal Bill Speakes in TNT’s 1995 television Western “The Desperate Trail.” The film had premiered at a festival the previous year. Elliott’s character is tasked with escorting a convicted murderess, played by Linda Fiorentino, to her execution — and later pursuing her after she escapes. The case carries an added personal complication: the woman’s victim has a close family connection to Speakes.

Variety critic Emanuel Levy described “The Desperate Trail” as a caper filled with expected reversals, noting that its captor-and-captive dynamic frequently changes direction. He also wrote that the acting was less consistent than the material warranted, though he singled out Elliott for praise. A more skeptical Scott Weinberg of DVD Talk wrote in 2005 that viewers should not expect anything especially fresh or significant, while conceding that the movie could still be entertaining in a knowingly silly way. The film has an IMDb score of 6.0 and a 46% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

11. The Hi-Lo Country (1998)

Stephen Frears’ 1998 film “The Hi-Lo Country” offered Elliott a more unconventional Western setting. Set across the plains of postwar New Mexico, the story follows a complicated friendship between two tough-minded men alongside an emotionally tangled love triangle. Elliott played Jim Ed Love, a wealthy cattleman and wartime profiteer, in a cast that included Billy Crudup, Penélope Cruz, Woody Harrelson, Cole Hauser, and Patricia Arquette.

Like several of the lower-ranked titles here, “The Hi-Lo Country” divided critics. It currently holds a 54% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 6.1 rating on IMDb, though the film’s themes prompted some thoughtful reactions. Richard von Busack wrote for Metro that the movie captures both the dignity associated with the old Western code of silence and the painful misunderstandings that silence can create. Roger Ebert, however, awarded the film two stars and argued that it would have benefited from remaining more grounded instead of reaching for a lofty, mythic perspective.

10. The Ranger, the Cook and a Hole in the Sky (1995)

ABC’s 1995 television movie “The Ranger, the Cook and a Hole in the Sky” is notable for being one of the relatively few productions to feature Elliott without his signature mustache. Directed by John Kent Harrison, the film follows an overconfident young ranger, played by Jerry O’Connell, as he learns hard lessons about maturity from Elliott’s weathered veteran. The story mixes a rigged poker game, classic saloon fights, and a small dose of romance into its coming-of-age Western.

The movie has earned a 6.4 IMDb rating and a 60% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Rather than presenting a conventional gunslinger epic, “The Ranger, the Cook and a Hole in the Sky” functions more as an accessible growing-up story with Western trappings. Its broad appeal may make it a comfortable choice for family viewing. One four-star Rotten Tomatoes audience review acknowledged that it was hardly high art and occasionally felt like an after-school special, but still described the film as highly watchable and enjoyable — provided viewers do not expect a Martin Scorsese production.

9. Gone to Texas (1986)

One of the more overlooked Sam Elliott Westerns is 1986’s “Gone to Texas,” a CBS production also released under the title “Houston: The Legend of Texas.” Elliott portrayed Sam Houston, the celebrated Texian Army general who later became a senator and Texas governor and played a central role in the Texas Revolution. The television biopic also explores Houston’s earlier life in Tennessee, where he served as governor before his Texas career.

MovieWeb placed “Gone to Texas” sixth among Elliott’s Western films in a 2023 ranking, while acknowledging criticism over its historical liberties. One frequently cited example is the film’s omission of Davy Crockett from the Battle of the Alamo, despite Crockett having died there. The Peter Levin-directed movie holds a respectable 6.4 rating on IMDb, though its Rotten Tomatoes audience score is just 21%. It nevertheless received a Western Heritage Award in the factual television program category the year after its broadcast.

8. You Know My Name (1999)

In 1999, Elliott took on another real-life frontier figure in “You Know My Name,” a TNT television film written and directed by John Kent Harrison. Elliott played Bill Tilghman, the former lawman and later filmmaker who attempts to bring order to an Oklahoma town and encourage its residents to resist corruption. Arliss Howard co-starred as Wiley Lynn, a federal agent whose ambitions and methods place him firmly on the opposing side.

The Los Angeles Times’ Steven Linan praised Elliott’s “top-drawer” work, describing Tilghman as an honorable hero who was apparently not opposed to promoting his own legend. “You Know My Name” has a 6.5 IMDb rating and an 80% Rotten Tomatoes audience score. CBR also ranked it ninth on its 2025 list of the 10 best Sam Elliott Western movies and TV shows. Critic Dante Santella highlighted the contrast between Tilghman’s sincere sense of justice and Lynn’s ruthlessness, calling it a classic Western conflict between good and evil.

7. The Hero (2017)

Sam Elliott’s 2017 film “The Hero” is not a traditional Western so much as a character study about the aging star of one. Elliott plays an older actor whose career has been built around Western roles, a premise that clearly echoes aspects of Elliott’s own professional journey. The movie was partly shaped by conversations between Elliott and writer-director Brett Haley. Speaking with RogerEbert.com, Elliott described the project as autobiographical in certain respects while emphasizing that the character and his life were not identical to his own.

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“The Hero” earned a 77% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, exceeding its 6.5 IMDb rating. Reviewers frequently pointed to the personal connection between Elliott and the material. Max Weiss of Baltimore Magazine called the role a career-defining gift from Haley and described Elliott’s performance as among his best. The cast also includes Nick Offerman, Krysten Ritter, Laura Prepon, and Katharine Ross, who plays Elliott’s former wife.

6. The Quick and the Dead (1987)

Elliott once told The A.V. Club that working with Kate Capshaw was one of the highlights of “The Quick and the Dead,” the 1987 adaptation of Louis L’Amour’s novel. This film should not be confused with the better-known 1995 movie starring Sharon Stone and Gene Hackman. Directed by Robert Day, the earlier production follows a homesteading family, led by Tom Conti, as it comes under threat from an outlaw gang. Elliott played Con Vallian, a charismatic drifter who comes to the family’s aid while developing feelings for the homesteader’s wife, portrayed by Capshaw.

Produced for HBO, “The Quick and the Dead” received two CableACE nominations. In September 2026, Men’s Journal reported that the film had become one of the most-streamed Westerns on Amazon Prime Video. It has a 60% Rotten Tomatoes audience score and a 6.8 IMDb rating. A 2024 review from DreadCult praised Elliott’s performance as strong and charismatic, adding that the cast delivered convincing work throughout.

5. The Shadow Riders (1982)

“The Shadow Riders,” released in 1982, brought Elliott back together with Tom Selleck and Jeff Osterhage after the trio had appeared in NBC’s 1979 Western miniseries “The Sacketts,” another story inspired by Louis L’Amour. The television film centers on two brothers, played by Elliott and Selleck, who return home after fighting on opposite sides of the Civil War. They discover that several members of their family have been abducted by outlaws and set out to bring them back.

Elliott told The A.V. Club that the screenplay for “The Shadow Riders” was completed and filmed before L’Amour wrote the book, calling the circumstances remarkable. He also spoke warmly about reuniting with Selleck, whom he considered a close friend, and praised the rest of the ensemble, including Katharine Ross and Ben Johnson. For Elliott, the production combined strong personal relationships, a talented cast, and the kind of classic Western adventure he remembered as thoroughly enjoyable.

The film was directed by Andrew V. McLaglen, who was responsible for helming western films starring the likes of John Wayne and James Stewart. IMDb users have recognized his and the cast’s efforts with an audience rating of 6.6. Meanwhile, “The Shadow Riders” has a Rotten Tomatoes audience score of 69%.

4. I Will Fight No More Forever (1975)

One of the earliest entries on this roundup of Sam Elliott western roles, 1975’s “I Will Fight No More Forever” is a dramatic retelling of Nez Perce Chief Joseph’s fight with the U.S. government amid his tribe’s forced relocation from its ancestral lands to a reservation in the Idaho Territory. James Whitmore starred as General Oliver O. Howard and Ned Romero as Chief Joseph, while Sam Elliott portrayed Captain Wood. The made-for-TV film aired on ABC.

“I Will Fight No More Forever” won a Western Heritage Award in the factual television program category. It also garnered a pair of Primetime Emmy nominations for writing and editing. “With hundreds of Westerns made over the decades, it’s rather amazing that no one committed this true story to screen until this TV-film hit the small screen in 1975,” read a 2021 review by Mark Franklin for Once Upon a Time in a Western. The film’s IMDb rating is 7.2 out of 10 while its audience score on Rotten Tomatoes lands in a similar range at 75%.

3. Conagher (1991)

Another TV movie that may or may not resonate with modern viewers at first mention is “Conagher,” which aired on TNT in July 1991. Sam Elliott starred as the titular character, Conn Conagher, a drifter and gunfighter who takes on a protective role for a widow, her family, and her burgeoning farm. Not only did Elliott star in the production, but he also co-wrote (with Katharine Ross) and executive-produced it.

When asked about the films he’s most proud of in 2017, Elliott namechecked “Conagher,” telling Sarasota Scene Magazine, “It was Katharine and I, and it was a labor of love. It was based on a Louis L’Amour novel. For a lot of personal reasons, that’s my favorite. It may not be the best film, but it’s one of my favorite experiences.”

“Conagher” boasts an IMDb rating of 7.2 while its Rotten Tomatoes audience score similarly impresses at 76%. It won a Western Heritage Award in the television feature film category, netted Elliott a Golden Globe nomination for best performance by an actor in a miniseries or TV movie, and also earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for sound editing.

2. Tombstone (1993)

Sam Elliott had an important role in the 1993 western “Tombstone,” which featured Kurt Russell as Wyatt Earp and Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday. Elliott played Earp’s older brother, Virgil. When Russell was feeling the pressure from Kevin Costner’s competing “Wyatt Earp” film, it was reportedly Elliott who worked to convince him that “Tombstone” actually had the upper hand.

“I remember sitting in the Holiday Inn one night. It was before we started, and Kurt was kind of angst-ridden about all of it because he was looking at a much bigger picture that I was, much bigger than all of us,” Elliott told Entertainment Weekly in 2019. “I said, ‘What the f*** are you worried about, man?’ … I said, ‘They haven’t got this f***ing script and they haven’t got this f***ing cast.’ And that was the f***ing truth, you know? ‘Apart from that, sweat all you want.'”

The IMDb score for “Tombstone” sits at an admirable 7.8 while its Rotten Tomatoes critical score checks in at 76%. In a 1993 review, The New York Times‘ Stephen Holden remarked that the film “is as up-to-date in its political consciousness as it is visually spiffy.”

1. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

Paul Newman and Robert Redford in Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid

Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images

Decades before his Taylor Sheridan experience, one of Sam Elliott’s first forays into the western genre on film came via one of the most celebrated westerns of all time: 1969’s “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford. Elliott’s contribution came in blink-and-you’ll-miss-it fashion as he played Card Player No. 2 in the opening scene. Said Elliott of the part in 2015 (via NPR): “A glorified extra. I had one line, it was off-camera, I was nothing more than a shadow on a wall.” Still, it afforded him “an opportunity to sit on a set, watch [Robert] Redford and [Paul] Newman, and Conrad Hall was behind the camera.”

While “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” wasn’t Elliott’s movie per se, it remains an all-time classic that cemented his western path. The film boasts an 8 IMDb rating and a Rotten Tomatoes’ critical aggregate score of 89%. It also established one of cinema’s most iconic scenes, in which Newman’s Cassidy and Elliott’s future wife, Katharine Ross (as Etta Place), frolic to the song “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head.” Wrote Variety‘s Whitney Williams on the film in 1969, “Newman and Redford both sock over their respective roles with a humanness seldom attached to outlaw characters.”

Texas Think Tank Accuses Houston Parent Coalition of ‘Socialist’ Push

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Texas Think Tank Accuses Houston Parent Coalition of ‘Socialist’ Push

A conservative Texas think tank is accusing a Houston education advocacy coalition of using tactics aligned with socialism to promote what it describes as radical policies in public schools.

In a report issued by the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF), researchers argue that Community Voices for Public Education (CVPE) presents itself as a grassroots alliance of parents, teachers and community members while functioning as a vehicle for teachers’ unions and far-left organizations seeking to maintain the status quo.

“There are several policies that they’re advocating for which are questionable at best, but very harmful,” Kate Bierly, campaign director for TPPF’s Next Generation Texas Campaign, told News Media.

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A DSA protest and HISD sign

According to the Texas Public Policy Foundation, Community Voices for Public Education (CVPE), a Houston advocacy group, uses tactics similar to those of far-left organizations such as the Democratic Socialists of America in opposing the state takeover of the Houston Independent School District and promoting radical education reforms. (Getty Images)

CVPE has strongly opposed the state’s 2023 takeover of the Houston Independent School District (HISD), the largest school district in Texas. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) intervened after years of academic underperformance at several campuses, prompting critics to accuse the state of political overreach.

State data, however, indicates academic improvement since the intervention. Reading and math scores for students in grades 3 through 8 rose over the past three school years, while the number of HISD campuses receiving A or B ratings increased from 93 to 197.

Demonstrators hold a Democratic Socialists of America banner at El Museo del Barrio in New York.

Demonstrators hold a Democratic Socialists of America banner before a Rent Guidelines Board vote at El Museo del Barrio in New York on Thursday, June 25, 2026. (Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“F-rated campuses went from 56 to five, and the whole district moved from a C rating to a B rating,” Bierly said. “The results were amazing. But from this, several critics emerged … suggesting destructive replacement policies. One of the main groups behind these proposals is CVPE.”

Bierly said the Houston group employs organizing methods similar to those used by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), which has expanded its influence in recent years after several DSA-endorsed candidates won elections at different levels of government.

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Student graduating at Houston Independent School District ceremony.

HISD operates 274 schools serving 184,109 students. Historically the largest district in Texas, despite enrollment fluctuations following COVID, HISD has highlighted academic gains across grades and subjects and said it has “more than doubled the number of A- and B-rated schools in just two years.” (Houston Independent School District)

In addition to opposing the state takeover, CVPE campaigns against mandatory STAAR testing and encourages parents to boycott the exams. The group also supports divesting from campus police, ending student arrests except in serious cases such as murder, and taking part in walkouts and political demonstrations.

TPPF says CVPE provides parents with guidance on organizing student demonstrations outside schools. CVPE, meanwhile, argues that peaceful activism is necessary to improve school environments and curricula.

“Some of the things they are advocating for is that parents should boycott the STAAR exam because the test allegedly supports racism and inequality,” Bierly said. “Scrapping this testing removes a key pathway for low-income kids to access advanced academic tracks.”

CVPE stands by its platform, arguing that restorative justice and expanded mental health services create safer schools than punitive approaches. The group says “HISD students should be heard and not herded.”

Ruth Kravetz, a CVPE co-founder, rejected the TPPF report and disputed the state’s account of HISD’s academic progress. In an interview with News Media, she dismissed comparisons between CVPE’s organizing and DSA tactics, saying the coalition includes people from across the political spectrum.

“Some of those parents are Republicans. Some are Democrats, some are socialists, and some are unaffiliated,” Kravetz said.

Kravetz also criticized high-stakes standardized testing, arguing that it does not improve student outcomes.

“It undermines educational quality,” Kravetz said. “It narrows instruction and reduces deeper, more meaningful learning … I don’t think any parent ever said, ‘I hope my kid grows up to be able to fill in a multiple-choice test well.’”

Kravetz previously disputed the “Texas Miracle” promoted by HISD Superintendent Mike Miles and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, claiming that the district’s recent testing gains had been artificially engineered.

“The truth is that HISD’s Mike Miles didn’t allow qualified students to even take Algebra I,” Kravetz said. “This skewed the STAAR results and played a shell game with scores. Most importantly, they denied opportunities to countless kids just to make the numbers look better.”

HISD did not immediately respond to News Media’s request for comment.

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Conor Kennedy Seen Ahead of Wedding to Brazilian Pop Star Giulia Be

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Conor Kennedy Seen Ahead of Wedding to Brazilian Pop Star Giulia Be

Kennedy family scion Conor Kennedy has been seen relaxing with friends in Rio de Janeiro ahead of his lavish three-day Brazilian wedding celebration, which is set to feature the Christ the Redeemer statue as a backdrop, the Daily Mail can reveal.

The 32-year-old son of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was photographed enjoying the sunshine at the five-star Hotel Fasano on Friday, just before celebrating his marriage to Brazilian pop star Giulia Be, according to exclusive photos.

Wearing white linen trousers and a black T-shirt, the lawyer spent much of the day on the hotel rooftop with friends and family members.

He was later seen outside the lobby, carrying a takeaway coffee and holding his phone while waiting to leave in a taxi.

The sighting came as Kennedy and his 27-year-old bride, whose real name is Giulia Bourguignon Marinho, prepared to host their extravagant wedding festivities in her native Brazil.

It was not immediately known whether the hotel, which overlooks Ipanema Beach and has suites costing up to $2,500 per night, was serving as a base for the celebrations.

Kennedy and Be have been engaged since 2024 and previously held a small civil ceremony in Los Angeles in March.

Be, a Latin Grammy nominee, revealed in a Brazilian magazine interview earlier this year that the couple’s main celebration would take place in her beloved Rio de Janeiro in October.

Conor Kennedy, 32, was spotted at the swanky five-star luxury Hotel Fasano in Rio de Janeiro on Friday just as his lavish three-day Brazilian wedding extravaganza is set to kick off

Conor Kennedy, 32, was spotted at Rio de Janeiro’s luxurious five-star Hotel Fasano on Friday, shortly before his lavish three-day Brazilian wedding celebration was due to begin

He was snapped mingling with loved ones and pals on the hotel's rooftop ahead of his nuptials to Brazilian popstar Giulia Be

He was photographed spending time with friends and family on the hotel rooftop ahead of his wedding to Brazilian pop star Giulia Be

Kennedy and popstar Giulia Be, who got engaged in 2024 after two years of dating, already had a small civil ceremony in Los Angeles back in March

Kennedy and pop star Giulia Be, who became engaged in 2024 after two years together, held a small civil ceremony in Los Angeles in March

The wedding festivities are expected to include a welcome party, a blessing for both families at the foot of the Christ the Redeemer statue, a religious ceremony at a local church and a reception, according to a previous report by Gshow magazine.

‘One of the first things I said [to Conor] was: “My love, I love you, but I’m not getting married in Massachusetts,”‘ the singer told the outlet, referring to the Kennedy family’s home state and its well-known compound on Cape Cod.

‘I think Brazil is one of the best places to get married. We know how to do it, we give ourselves body and soul, and the party doesn’t end at 10 pm. That’s something very important that I wanted to show people.’

It remained unclear how many of Kennedy’s high-profile relatives would travel to Brazil for the weekend wedding.

Be said, however, that Kennedy’s family alone—including his father and actress stepmother Cheryl Hines—accounted for an astonishing 150 people on the guest list.

‘I’m from the most beautiful city in the world, and this was my only chance to really bring his whole family and friends to Brazil. I needed to show them the best of Brazil, so I want to throw an incredible party,’ Be said.

‘Imagine you’ve never seen Christ the Redeemer, and you’re going to see it for the first time at a wedding. It’s truly very special.’

The Los Angeles-based couple also said they had been working to bring their two different cultures together for the wedding.

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Dressed casually in a pair of white linen pants and black T-shirt, Kennedy could be seen mingling with pals and loved ones on the hotel's rooftop throughout the day

Wearing white linen trousers and a black T-shirt, Kennedy spent the day mingling with friends and family on the hotel’s rooftop

The was snapped soaking up the sun as he swanned around on the hotel's rooftop

Robert F Kennedy Jr’s son, 32, was snapped soaking up the sun as he swanned around on the hotel’s rooftop

Kennedy spent time with pals at the hotel overlooking Ipanema Beach where suites go for as much as $2,500 a night

Kennedy spent time with pals at the hotel overlooking Ipanema Beach where suites go for as much as $2,500 a night

At one point, Kennedy was spotted lingering outside the hotel lobby with a takeaway coffee cup and his phone in hand as he waited to be whisked away in a taxi

He was dressed casually in linen pants and a black t-shirt

At one point, Kennedy was spotted lingering outside the hotel lobby with a takeaway coffee cup and his phone in hand as he waited to be whisked away in a taxi

The groom was riding solo without his bride in tow as he jumped in a taxi outside the chic hotel

The groom was riding solo without his bride in tow as he jumped in a taxi outside the chic hotel

‘We wanted to adapt to things they’re used to doing at their weddings. So, speeches, for example, are something that’s now a bit more common at Brazilian weddings, but it wasn’t always like that. In the US, speeches are the most important thing,’ Be said. 

‘Yes, especially in my family,’ Kennedy chimed in. 

The marriage celebration comes just weeks after he was put on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s most wanted list for traveling to Ukraine to fight with the International Legion in 2022.

It is unclear if Brazil has an extradition agreement with Russia. 

Kennedy, who is the grandson of Sen. Robert F Kennedy and the great-nephew of President John F Kennedy, started dating his bride the yearv he went to Ukraine.

He proposed before Be, who has several Portuguese chart-toppers, opted to relocate from Brazil to the US. 

Sharing news of the proposal on Instagram, the popstar, who boasts 2.5 million followers, posted a video of the couple dancing in a candlelit room as she sobbed and exclaimed: ‘This is the best day ever!’

Kennedy proposed to Be, who has several Portuguese chart-toppers, in 2024 after two years of dating. They broke the news on Instagram with the above photo

Kennedy proposed to Be, who has several Portuguese chart-toppers, in 2024 after two years of dating. They broke the news on Instagram with the above photo

It wasn't immediately clear how many of Kennedy's big name relatives were slated to fly in for this weekend's nuptials. Conor and his bride (center) are pictured with his dad Robert F Kennedy Jr, stepmom Cheryl Hines and sister Kick Kennedy

It wasn’t immediately clear how many of Kennedy’s big name relatives were slated to fly in for this weekend’s nuptials. Conor and his bride (center) are pictured with his dad Robert F Kennedy Jr, stepmom Cheryl Hines and sister Kick Kennedy

Conor Kennedy previously dated Taylor Swift back in 2012

During their brief romance, Taylor was spotted frequently at the Kennedy family's famed Cape Cod home

Conor Kennedy previously dated Taylor Swift back in 2012. During their brief romance, Taylor was spotted frequently at the Kennedy family’s famed Cape Cod home

A source told Page Six at the time that Kennedy had dropped to one knee with a Tiffany & Co. sparkler. 

Meanwhile, Kennedy’s wedding spectacle comes just months after his ex-girlfriend Taylor Swift staged an extravaganza of her own when she tied the knot with Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce in New York City. 

Conor and Taylor had a brief romance back in 2012 during which she was spotted frequently at the Kennedy family’s famed Cape Cod home.

Before proposing to Be, Kennedy also had prior dalliances with model Michaela Vybohova and was spotted with Ava Dash, daughter of Damon Dash, in 2021. 

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Fox News Faces Trump Backlash After White House Correspondent Peter Doocy Says, We Have to Fact-Check the President

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Fox News Faces Trump Backlash After White House Correspondent Peter Doocy Says, We Have to Fact-Check the President

Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy said Donald Trump’s latest remarks needed to be “fact-checked” during an appearance on Sean Hannity’s program this week.

Doocy, 39, questioned the president’s denial of an Atlantic report published Wednesday alleging that the Pentagon may be considering a strike against Iran to protect Republican candidates ahead of the midterm elections.

The report was based on information from two unnamed administration officials.

Hannity invited the Fox White House correspondent onto his Thursday night broadcast to discuss the report and Trump’s response.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the United States would not be “attacking” Iran before November and insisted the two nations were engaged in “productive discussions.”

“We have to fact-check the president here, Sean, because he was telling us for weeks that he did not care about the midterms. Iran was too important,” Doocy told Hannity.

“We know that is not true, because he is the surrogate for Republicans. He’s out almost every night,” Doocy added.

Doocy noted that Trump was scheduled to travel to New York on Friday to campaign for Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman in his race against incumbent Kathy Hochul, as well as support other GOP candidates.

Doocy, 39, cast doubt on the president's recent denial of a Wednesday Atlantic report that suggested the Pentagon could be planning a strike on Iran to score political points ahead of the midterms. The report cited two unnamed administration officials

Doocy, 39, challenged Trump’s denial of a Wednesday Atlantic report suggesting the Pentagon could be weighing military action against Iran for political reasons ahead of the midterms. The report relied on statements from two unnamed administration officials.

Host Sean Hannity had the White House correspondent on Thursday night to weigh in. Both aired the possibility that the denial could be 'a head fake'

During the broadcast, Hannity and Doocy both raised the possibility that Trump’s denial could be “a head fake.”

Trump had traveled to Texas for a rally on Wednesday.

The Atlantic’s report on Iran noted that the United States had not launched a strike against the country in several weeks.

Authors Nancy A. Youssef and Jonathan Lemire wrote that the “assumption” behind the pause was that Trump wanted to keep a low profile “through November 3 so as not to remind voters of an unpopular war that is dragging Republican candidates down.”

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“He came out and said, that is not true,” Doocy said of Trump’s response.

“We don’t know how seriously he considered the options that were presented to him by the secretary of war and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, but he says that it’s not going to happen before the war,” Doocy continued.

Doocy then questioned the purpose of Trump’s statement, asking whether it was “a head fake to get the Iranians on their heels” or an admission that the conflict was creating serious political problems for Republicans.

The eight-month conflict has also increased costs for Americans after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a major shipping route that normally carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil.

“We have to remember—a lot of people watching, too, have already voted, and are going to vote tomorrow, and are going to vote the next day,” Doocy said, appearing to suggest that the Atlantic’s account may have been accurate.

Trump wrote on Truth Social the day before: 'we will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections to be held in the United States on November 3rd. IRAN WILL NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON! President DONALD J. TRUMP'

Trump wrote on Truth Social the previous day: “We will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections to be held in the United States on November 3rd. IRAN WILL NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”

The now-eight-month conflict has driven up costs for Americans due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, an important waterway through which a fifth of the world's oil usually flows. Pro-regime demonstators gathered in Tehran, Iran, on Thursday

The eight-month conflict has raised costs for Americans following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil typically passes. Pro-regime demonstrators gathered in Tehran, Iran, on Thursday.

‘The White House is trying to do things – they’re trying to show other areas that they can try to address affordability.’

Trump wrote the day before: ‘we will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections to be held in the United States on November 3rd. IRAN WILL NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON! President DONALD J. TRUMP.’

The Daily Mail has approached the White House for comment.

Hannity told Doocy after hearing the take: ‘Well, Peter, the president does have- he has been very consistent in this part. He used to say, “Why would I tell you? I’m not gonna tell you. It’s not to my benefit.”  So, could it be a head fake? Nothing would surprise me with this president. 

‘He’s unpredictable, especially on that issue.’

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Cara Delevingne Details Her 23-Year History With Girlfriend Minke

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Cara Delevingne Details Her 23-Year History With Girlfriend Minke

For Cara Delevingne, love remains firmly in style.

The supermodel marked International Lesbian Day on Oct. 8 with an unusually personal tribute to her girlfriend, Minke, sharing that the couple had recently celebrated a meaningful relationship milestone.

“Very cool that this day is two days after we celebrated the 5 year anniversary of reconnecting after knowing each other for 23 years,” Delevingne wrote on Instagram. “This is a great day because it means I have an excuse to post pics of my baby. Sorry baby but I must!”

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The 34-year-old model, who began dating her former boarding school classmate in 2022 after reconnecting several months earlier, accompanied the message with a collection of romantic photos. The images included affectionate embraces and several tender kisses shared by the couple.

“We also have 4 anniversary’s [sic] per year, the most lesbian thing in the world,” Delevingne joked. She then drew attention to one image showing the pair posing seriously on a staircase. “Scroll through to the end to remind yourself why you should always pick photography class, because in the event there is an inaccurate translation, you will still end up with photos that will make you laugh for the rest of you [sic] life.”

Paparazzi Witness ‘Very Tense’ Encounter Between Australian TV Couple Sam Wood and Snezana Markoski

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Paparazzi Witness ‘Very Tense’ Encounter Between Australian TV Couple Sam Wood and Snezana Markoski

Meet the Lawyer Taking Over as White House Press Secretary

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Meet the Lawyer Taking Over as White House Press Secretary

Donald Trump’s announcement on Friday that Katie Zacharia would become the next White House press secretary immediately sparked curiosity about the conservative commentator chosen to succeed Karoline Leavitt.

At 42, Zacharia is an attorney and familiar face on Fox News and Newsmax, where she has built a reputation for her forceful delivery and firmly conservative political views.

She is married to Hollywood producer Tyler Zacharia, and the couple have four children.

Zacharia’s political career began during college, when she took on an internship with the Republican National Committee.

She studied at Pepperdine University’s Seaver College and later attended the Caruso School of Law. After completing her education, she moved into corporate law and political advocacy.

Her early professional experience included a role in the White House Office of Political Affairs during the George W. Bush administration. She also spent three years in China serving as outside counsel for the World Bank.

Beyond government and legal work, Zacharia has become a regular presence on cable news. As a prime-time contributor for Newsmax and Fox News, she has frequently weighed in on some of the most contentious issues in American politics.

Her latest appointment follows a brief and turbulent stint at the Department of Homeland Security, where she served as a spokeswoman for only six weeks before leaving the position in March.

When Donald Trump announced that Katie Zacharia will be taking over the role as White House Press Secretary on Friday, it left many people across the globe wondering: who is the glamorous blonde set to replace Karoline Leavitt?

Donald Trump’s choice of Katie Zacharia as White House press secretary has prompted widespread interest in the conservative media personality who will replace Karoline Leavitt.

Zacharia, 42, is married to Hollywood producer Tyler Zacharia, and the two share four children together

Katie Zacharia, 42, is married to Hollywood producer Tyler Zacharia, and they have four children together.

Zacharia had taken over from Tricia McLaughlin in February, becoming the public face of the Trump administration’s immigration policies.

The role ended almost as quickly as it began. Her departure was surrounded by controversy, including reports that her close relationship with Corey Lewandowski, an adviser to then-DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and her rumored partner, had contributed to her exit.

Zacharia rejected that explanation, saying instead that the demands of commuting between Washington and her California home had placed too much strain on her family.

Following her time at DHS, she worked as a communications adviser for Trump Media and Technology Group, the company behind the Truth Social platform.

Tyler Zacharia’s producing credits include films such as The Irishman, Countdown, The Starling, The Desperate Hour and Homestead, among other projects.

Although Zacharia regularly shares polished glimpses of her professional and personal style with more than 42,000 Instagram followers, she keeps her family life largely private. Her children do not appear on her social media accounts.

She has also spoken openly about the criticism she receives for her support of Trump and her involvement in conservative politics.

“Being in the world of politics, whether directly or adjacent, is BRUTAL and I personally take DAILY heat for it,” she wrote in an Instagram post in September.

She earned her undergraduate degree at Pepperdine’s Seaver College before going on to its Caruso School of Law, then launched a career in corporate and political advocacy

After graduating from Pepperdine’s Seaver College, Zacharia attended the university’s Caruso School of Law before pursuing work in corporate and political advocacy.

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She often flaunts her glamorous endeavors on her Instagram - where she's racked up more than 42,000 followers

Zacharia frequently posts about her glamorous professional life on Instagram, where she has attracted more than 42,000 followers.

Most recently, she worked as a communications adviser to Trump Media and Technology Group, the company behind Truth Social

Most recently, she worked as a communications adviser to Trump Media and Technology Group, the company behind Truth Social

She went on to explain that she tries to ‘keep her family away from the flame,’ but gushed over how ‘proud’ she was of her husband’s work.

She also opened up about being ‘bullied’ by people ‘on the left’ as ‘a native Californian and lifelong conservative in this deep-blue state’ in an essay written for the New York Post in February. 

She explained in the essay that when she visited her local cardio kickboxing gym wearing a Trump hat it ‘triggered an unhinged meltdown.’

‘One woman in the back didn’t confront me directly. Instead, she rudely interrupted the instructor mid-routine, turned the class into chaos, harassed the teacher to force me to remove my hat or face the wall so she wouldn’t have to see it, killed the entire vibe, and then stormed out like a petulant child,’ she wrote.

‘This wasn’t over threats or actual disruption – it was over a hat symbolizing my pride in helping re-elect the greatest president in US history, Donald J. Trump.’

She noted that while the instructor didn’t force her to remove the hat, ‘two additional liberal women wrote emails and waged online smear campaigns behind the scenes, leading to the owner of the gym to ask me not to wear my hat.’

‘I responded that I would never take my Trump hat off to appease the left,’ she continued.

‘This is raw, unfiltered intolerance. Freedom of speech doesn’t evaporate at the gym door.

She has been outspoken about the backlash she has faced in the past for supporting Trump

She has been outspoken about the backlash she has faced in the past for supporting Trump

Trump confirmed the news in a Truth Social post later Friday calling the California native 'outstanding'

Trump confirmed the news in a Truth Social post later Friday calling the California native ‘outstanding’

'She has an unblemished record of support, and has been a loyal and brilliant supporter, right from the beginning. She is, likewise, a devoted fan and member of MAGA,' the president wrote

‘She has an unblemished record of support, and has been a loyal and brilliant supporter, right from the beginning. She is, likewise, a devoted fan and member of MAGA,’ the president wrote

‘The First Amendment has no “discomfort” clause. A Team Trump or MAGA hat isn’t obscenity or hate speech – it is political expression supporting our sitting president.

‘This isn’t about a hat. It’s about the right to speak and express yourself without fear – even in “tolerant” California. When private businesses become dissent-free zones, that’s the quiet death of freedom. 

‘I refuse to stay silent. My constitutional rights aren’t negotiable. Tyranny thrives when good people lack courage.’

Trump confirmed the news in a Truth Social post later Friday calling the California native ‘outstanding.’ 

‘She has an unblemished record of support, and has been a loyal and brilliant supporter, right from the beginning. She is, likewise, a devoted fan and member of MAGA,’ the president wrote. 

Leavitt quit at the end of August to spend more time with her two young children, leaving the briefing room without a permanent face for more than a month. Trump consulted Leavitt personally before settling on Zacharia for the role, according to CNN. 

Abdul El-Sayed Faces Jewish Dems Backlash Over Israel Ally Stance

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Abdul El-Sayed Faces Jewish Dems Backlash Over Israel Ally Stance

Abdul El-Sayed is facing renewed criticism over his views on Israel after a tense debate with Republican rival Mike Rogers. The Democratic Senate nominee’s remarks have left some Jewish Democrats questioning whether they can support him, while political experts warn the exchange could create lasting problems for his campaign.

The controversy erupted Thursday night when El-Sayed said he would not regard Israel as an ally if its actions pulled the United States into wars it did not need to fight. He declined, however, to directly say whether Israel or Iran posed the greater threat to the US.

“He, himself, has created this predicament and he now comes off as confused and inauthentic,” Jeff McCall, a DePauw University professor, told The Post.

McCall said the debate demonstrated that El-Sayed was “failing the rhetorical challenge.”

“I don’t consider an ally a country that takes us to wars we don’t need to fight,” El-Sayed said during the Grand Rapids, Michigan, debate, which was hosted by NewsNation and Nexstar’s WOOD-TV.

The discussion followed Rogers’ criticism of El-Sayed for failing to issue a statement commemorating the third anniversary of Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel.

El-Sayed said he had condemned the attack, but accused Rogers of exploiting other people’s suffering as “political theater.”

His comments have revived concerns about El-Sayed’s standing with Jewish Democrats, including voters who have been hesitant to support the progressive candidate because of his positions on Israel.

The Michigan Democratic Jewish Caucus has not formally endorsed El-Sayed, even though it has backed other candidates in federal races.

The Post contacted the organization for comment but had not received a response.

El-Sayed also came under scrutiny after brushing aside questions about how he handled the Oct. 7 anniversary in the aftermath of the event.

David Dulio, a political science professor at Oakland University, told The Post that the debate carried unusual weight because El-Sayed is “arguably more to the left” on foreign policy than other prominent progressives, including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).

Dulio identified El-Sayed’s refusal to choose between Israel and Iran as the debate’s defining moment. The question asked which country represented the greater threat to the United States, but El-Sayed declined to provide a direct answer.

“Many Jewish Democrats in Michigan have been skeptical of El-Sayed and have expressed uncertainty about his candidacy,” Dulio said. “They were likely listening for a question like this to help them make up their minds.”

Dulio said Jewish Democrats could still influence the outcome, and that El-Sayed’s answer might produce a “wobble” in a campaign that had otherwise maintained momentum since the primaries.

“These positions could come back to haunt him,” Dulio said. “‘Dems for Rogers’ is real but we don’t know how big it is. I imagine this is something that’s exceedingly difficult to poll. Rogers will look to grow this group and I imagine Rogers’ campaign will have those debate clips in an ad very soon.”

A Democratic insider told The Post that winning over Jewish Democrats remains “an area of continued focus” for the El-Sayed campaign.

“There will still be Jewish Michiganders who don’t vote for him, but I think he’s reaching those who are open to voting for him,” the source said.

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Former Republican Rep. Peter Meijer, an Iraq War veteran, also faulted El-Sayed’s response to the question about whether Israel or Iran posed the greater danger to the United States.

El-Sayed dismissed the question as “dumb” and a “ridiculous hypothetical.”

Meijer agreed that the question was poorly framed but argued that El-Sayed could have given a straightforward answer about the two countries’ relationship with the US.

“He criticized Mike Rogers for asking him to condemn Hamas, Hezbollah, Al Qaeda, saying they’re scary words, but he hasn’t condemned them,” Meijer said on CNN.

Meijer added that El-Sayed’s response raised questions about whether his approach was political strategy, or reflected a deeper reluctance to address the issue.

“At a certain point, it goes from either this is political malpractice at best, or he [El-Sayed] can’t, or he won’t because of something deeper — and that’s far more troubling. And I just don’t get it because I don’t want to get it because it really is dark,” he added.

The controversy follows weeks of public disagreement among Jewish Democrats over whether El-Sayed’s positions on Israel should disqualify him from their support.

In an Oct. 6 MS NOW interview, one lifelong Democratic voter said her decision hinged on Israel.

“I just would love for him to make a definitive statement, like just saying ‘I would like everyone to know I support Israel,’” she said.

An Oct. 7th Republican Jewish Coalition ad featured lifelong Jewish Democrats in Michigan who said they “will never vote for Abdul El-Sayed.”

“I will never forgive El-Sayed for excusing the terrorists who caused this terrible incident,” one voter said.

Another criticized his response in the immediate aftermath of a Michigan synagogue attack, recalling his comment that “hurt people, hurt people.”

“And he is giving permission for another person to do it again,” the voter said.

El-Sayed was also pressed by reporters Friday about whether he was still mourning the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He declined to discuss the subject, telling reporters he was “not interested in talking about this” and urged them to ask about health care instead.

At the beginning of El-Sayed’s Senate bid, he campaigned more heavily on foreign affairs.

McCall said that given El-Sayed’s prior statements, it would seem “unlikely” for him to modify his rhetoric “enough to ease the minds of supporters of Israel.”

During Thursday’s debate, El-Sayed reiterated that he does not want US tax dollars funding weapons for foreign countries, including Israel. He also said he would not support being drawn into a war with Iran.

Rogers, meanwhile, defended Israel’s right to exist and protect itself, arguing that the US should stand by the Jewish state.

Homicide Detectives Search Joshua Tree for SNL Writer’s Missing Sister Months After Family Alleges Murder

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Homicide Detectives Search Joshua Tree for SNL Writer’s Missing Sister Months After Family Alleges Murder

Los Angeles police homicide investigators searched the Joshua Tree region of California on Friday as they pursued leads in the disappearance of Christina Lynn Downer, the sister of a “Saturday Night Live” writer whose family said months ago that she had been killed.

An LAPD spokesperson confirmed to News Media that detectives from the Robbery-Homicide Division began the operation Friday morning. Officials did not identify the specific search site or explain what investigators expected to recover.

Downer, 38, was last known to be in Los Angeles’ Koreatown neighborhood in late November 2025. Her disappearance was formally reported to police the following month.

In an Instagram message posted in late April, her brother, “Saturday Night Live” writer Jimmy Fowlie, said police had told the family that Downer was dead.

Portrait of missing woman Christina Lynn Downer with long, dark curly hair against a blue background

Christina Lynn Downer, whose disappearance remains under investigation, was last seen in Los Angeles’ Koreatown area in November 2025. She is the sister of “Saturday Night Live” writer Jimmy Fowlie. (LAPD)

“The LAPD has informed our family that Christina is no longer alive, and the case has officially transitioned from a missing person to a homicide investigation,” Fowlie wrote. “Our prayers for her to be found safely have transformed into prayers for the truth to be revealed and for those responsible to be held accountable.”

The Los Angeles Police Department later challenged that description, saying Downer had not been found and that the investigation was still classified as a missing-person case, according to FOX 11 Los Angeles.

Joshua trees and rock formations in Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California

Joshua trees and dramatic rock formations surround Joshua Tree National Park near Twentynine Palms, California, where authorities are investigating the reported discovery of a human skull. (Shutterstock)

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“Although the circumstances of her disappearance are suspicious, Ms. Downer has not been located,” the department said previously, adding that detectives would keep working the case until it was resolved.

Joshua Tree National Park

Los Angeles homicide detectives searched the Joshua Tree area on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, seeking evidence related to the disappearance of Christina Lynn Downer, the sister of “Saturday Night Live” writer Jimmy Fowlie. (Josh Brasted/Getty Images)

Fowlie has also questioned activity involving his sister’s cellphone and social media profiles. He alleged that someone may have used the accounts to obscure her disappearance and suggest that she had chosen to leave.

“The individual(s) in possession of her phone used it to hide the fact she was gone, to ask for money, and to create a false narrative that she was going ‘off the grid,’” he wrote.

The LAPD has not publicly verified those claims.

An LAPD media relations officer told News Media that investigators could not say whether Friday’s search was focused on human remains, a potential suspect or another form of evidence. Officials also declined to confirm whether search dogs were being used.

Authorities have not explained why detectives were led to Joshua Tree, and it is not clear whether Downer’s official case classification has changed since the department’s earlier statement.

News Media has contacted Fowlie seeking comment.
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