Gary Coleman’s Death Probe — Case Closed

No one murdered Gary Coleman … this according to investigators who finally closed the case into the actor’s untimely demise.

The decision to shut down the investigation comes just weeks after cops in Utah received and reviewed Coleman’s autopsy report — in which the coroner labeled Gary’s death an “accident.”

Indeed the autopsy concludes Coleman was in terrible shape before he died. A rep for the Santaquin Police tells us, “[Gary] was an accident waiting to happen. The last time I saw him he literally looked gray.”

FYI — no one was ever suspected of killing Gary … but his kinda-sorta wife Shannon Price did release an unsolicited statement denying any involvement in Coleman’s death.

Source: TMZ

Gary Coleman’s ex-wife Shannon Price is furious that Gary’s estate is trying to sell the house they lived in together — and according to Price’s rep, they’ll “do everything possible to fight this in court.”

As we first reported, Robert Jeffs — the Special Administrator of Gary’s estate — filed a motion yesterday asking a judge to allow him to sell Gary’s Utah home and an adjacent lot for $324,000.

That’s not sitting well with Price’s rep, Sheilia Erickson, who tells TMZ that 24 hours before Gary died, he told her he “wanted [Shannon] to be taken care of” and that “everything goes to her.”

Erickson says, “Gary would want Shannon in that house. It was their house together.”

Shannon did live in the house with Gary, but the estate kicked her out in June. She is not named in Gary’s currently recognized will.

Source: TMZ

Estate Wants to Unload Gary Coleman’s House

The administrator of Gary Coleman’s estate wants to put Gary’s Santaquin, UT home up for sale — but first he says it needs a major fix-up.

Robert Jeffs — court-appointed Special Administrator of the estate – filed a motion today in Utah asking a judge to allow him to list and sell the 4,723 sq. ft home and an adjacent lot for $324,000.

According to the docs, Jeffs asks for approval to have a bunch of Gary’s stuff removed from the house so it can get prettied up for potential buyers. Jeffs attached photos of the home and added, “The belongings in the house are disorganized and in disarray.”

In the docs, a realtor describes the home as being in “poor/distressed condition” — and believes $7500 are needed to make necessary repairs.

According to the filing, Jeffs believes Gary’s estate doesn’t have enough money to maintain and pay for the house … which was upside down when Gary died — meaning he still owed $325,158.58 on the mortgage.

Source: TMZ

Gary Coleman secretly took out a restraining order against his ex-wife a few months before he died.

The ‘Different Strokes’ actor – who passed away last month after suffering a brain haemorrhage – claimed in the documents that Shannon Price had moved back into his Utah home against his wishes while he was in hospital.

In the documents – which were filed under ‘John Doe Vs. Jane Doe’ – the actor alleged Shannon: “has shown a tendency to damage, destroy and steal my property and I believe she will continue to do so in my absence and while she is trespassing in my home.”

However, though the order was granted on February 19 2010, Gary never served it on his former spouse, who has said they were on the verge of remarrying before his death.

The actor’s former agent Robert Malcolm told RadarOnline.com: “The dynamics of their relationship were very unhealthy.

“This time he knew he needed to break away so he made sure she was not allowed in his home, but then he had feelings for her even though she was abusive and so he allowed her back into his home.”

Gary – who had his lawyer make an ex parte court appearance to get the restraining order, meaning all parties did not need to be present for the hearing – also explained he feared Shannon’s revenge, which is why he applied for the document under a false name.

He wrote: “I believe if she is given any warning of this pending order to require her to immediately vacate the home, she will cause more damage and destroy more irreplaceable memorabilia, documents, personal papers and other such valuables.

“I would therefore ask the Court to issue this order ex parte requiring her removal from the home and restraining her from going upon the premises of my home under any circumstances.”

He also requested police be present when Shannon removed her belongings.

Source: BANG Showbiz

Gary Coleman’s closest friends are arranging a private memorial for the actor — but TMZ has learned Gary’s ex-wife and his parents will not be invited.

TMZ spoke with Kent Emmons and Anna Gray — two of Gary’s good friends who the actor had selected to help execute his will.

We’re told Emmons and Gray are organizing a private memorial for 15-20 of Gary’s closest friends — including Gary’s “Diff’rent Strokes” co-star Todd Bridges.

We’re told the group plans to honor Coleman with a night of “telling fun stories.” The event is expected to go down in California sometime in the next few months.

As for why Shannon Price and Gary’s parents won’t be invited — we’re told Emmons and Gray don’t feel it would be appropriat

Source: TMZ

Gary Coleman will not have a funeral.

The late ‘Diff’rent Strokes’ actor will not be given a religious burial ceremony but will be cremated instead, as soon as his ex-girlfriend Anna Gray – who was named the main beneficiary of his estate in his 2005 will – is able to travel to his home in Utah.

This news has upset Gary’s ex-wife Shannon Price – who the actor lived with at the time of his passing – because she was named the sole heir in a 2007 handwritten add-on to the will. However, Anna’s legal team expects this additional note to be invalidated because Shannon was divorced from Gary at the time of his death from a brain haemorrhage.

Robert Jeffs has been appointed by a judge to oversee the estate dispute, and has also been ordered to organise the cremation as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Shannon’s spokesperson has revealed the 24-year-old redhead still plans to celebrate Gary’s life with a memorial service, and is desperate to visit his body before he is cremated.

Shielia Erickson told E! News: “We would love to have a private funeral for family and friends. Shannon has been in bed all day. This is just too much for her. She did not see Gary today. She has been mourning him, though.

“She said to me, ‘Remember when Gary said to you, that he never wanted to be without me, I want to be with him after this life. I always want to be with him. I will never love again!’ She is such a kind person, that loves her Gary Coleman. They may have had issues at times. But they really did love each other.

Shannon has previously admitted she wants to scatter the late star’s ashes on train tracks, but a decision on this will not be made until the wills are clarified.

Source: BANG Showbiz

Gary Coleman — Don’t Pull the Plug on Me!

TMZ has obtained legal documents signed by Gary Coleman in 2006 in which the actor specifically directed that he did not want anyone to pull the plug on him … if he was ever in that situation.

The documents were ironically filed by Shannon Price – Gary’s ex-wife — the person who authorized doctors to take Gary off life support last month.  Price has filed the docs in an effort to be granted control over the disposition of Gary’s body.

Among the documents filed today by Shannon is a health care power of attorney which Gary filled out in 2006.  Under the heading “Instructions for Health Care” — Gary checked a box in titled “Choice to Prolong Life” which states, “I want my life to be prolonged as long as possible within the limits of generally accepted health care standards.”

The other option Gary had — “Choice Not to Prolong Life” — was left unchecked.

In the docs, Shannon explains her decision to end Gary’s life saying she was “forced” to pull the plug. She does not explain why she felt forced.

Source: TMZ

Gary Coleman: It Was ‘True Love’ with Ex-Wife

Though Gary Coleman and his then-wife split around the time this video was shot, he couldn’t stop gushing over her — and said they had “true” and “unconditional” love.

In the clip from a never-aired 2008 reality show pilot, Coleman says his goal is “to keep Shannon [Price] in my life” and that their love “will always be more important than anything else.”

The two would divorce that same year.

Source: TMZ

Gary Coleman — Little Pet Shop of Horrors

Gary Coleman was clear — he didn’t like animals — so imagine his dismay when he was forced to work at a pet store and put up with all that crap.

Gary took the job as part of a reality show pilot that was shot in 2008 and never aired.  A life coach made him take the job to improve his people skills and save his marriage to then wife Shannon Price.

It didn’t work so well.

Source: TMZ

Train Stores in Line for Gary Coleman’s Stuff

Gary Coleman loved trains almost as much as he loved his wife … TMZ has learned the former child actor originally planned to leave almost all his worldly possessions to three model train stores … assuming Shannon was dead.

In the 2006 will, Gary made Shannon the beneficiary of most of his property — including clothing, jewelry, art, boats, and other recreational vehicles. But if Shannon predeceased Gary or died within 90 days of his death, all his stuff was supposed to go to Allied Model Trains, The Original Whistle Stop, and The Train Shack in L.A.

But even if Shannon outlived Gary, she wasn’t getting her hands on his enormous model train collection — under the ‘06 will, Gary doled out all of his trains to the stores he loved.

As TMZ first reported, Shannon just filed docs claiming she’s the rightful heir to everything … based on a somewhat mysterious 2007 handwritten addendum — which would cut the train stores off in their tracks from getting anything.

Source: TMZ

Gary Coleman to Wife: All You Care About is Money

Gary Coleman felt Shannon Price was motivated by one thing — the almighty dollar — and he said it to her face on video.

TMZ has obtained a clip from a pilot shot in 2008 – around the time Gary and Shannon were divorcing.  Gary and Shannon are spilling their guts to a life coach.

Gary tells Shannon, “All you care about is the money.”  He goes on to bitterly complain he’s been forced to take jobs he hated to support her … going to places he loathed, including Madison, Wisconsin (for the record, Madison is an awesome town).

The coach tells Gary, he needs a job and stat.  So, coach tells Gary he has a friend who owns a used car lot and he will hook Gary up with the owner for a post “Diff’rent

Source: TMZ

Gary Coleman made another secret will, it has been claimed.

The late actor – who died after suffering a brain haemorrhage on May 28 – reportedly had a lawyer draw up a document which is “substantially different” from that detailed by papers from 1999 that were filed yesterday (08.06.10).

In addition, Gary’s ex-wife Shannon Price insists she has a legal document from 2007 showing “he wanted me to have everything“.

However, speaking about the newly-uncovered will, a source told RadarOnline.com: “This is not the handwritten codicil from 2007. This was created by a lawyer and it’s substantially different from the 1999 will.”

Under Utah law, because Gary and Shannon – who claims the couple were planning to remarry – were divorced at the time of his death, she is not entitled to anything from his estate.

The 1999 document appoints Dion Mial, 46, as executor of his estate, giving him the power to set funeral plans in motion, assess the value of the estate and decide how any money is to be paid out according to a trust.

However, it is expected further disputes will arise if the new document is produced.

The source added: “The new will should be filed within a couple of weeks at the latest. And then there is going to be an incredible battle over Gary’s estate.”

It is thought the actor didn’t leave much money when he died, with his main asset being his $315,000 home.

A date for the funeral is still to be set.

Source: BANG Showbiz

Gary Coleman Will — ‘Look Each Other in the Eyes’

TMZ has obtained a copy of Gary Coleman’s will, and it has an ominous directive in terms of disposing of Gary’s body.

According to the will, Gary wants his body cremated and wants his personal representative to “plan a wake for me conducted by those who have had no financial ties to me and can look each other in the eyes and say they really cared personally for Gary Coleman.

Gary bequeaths “my entire estate to the Trustee of the Millennium Edge Trust.”  He is not more specific.

Gary’s former manager, Dion Mial (who filed the papers) claims Shannon Price, Gary’s ex-wife, “has been removing personal property from [Gary's] home which has not been inventoried or accounted for.”

Mial is asking the judge to immediately appoint him special administrator of Gary’s estate so he can give the mortuary a directive to cremate the body.

Source: TMZ

Hospital Knew Gary Coleman’s Ex Took Pics

Officials at the hospital where Gary Coleman died tell TMZ they were “aware” that Shannon Price and her family were “inside taking pictures” around the time Coleman passed away.

Source: TMZ

Gary Coleman’s Mom Furious Over Hospital Pics

Gary Coleman’s mother, Edmonia Sue Coleman, is “shocked” that Shannon Price is selling photos of Gary’s last moments … telling TMZ that Shannon’s actions are “extremely disrespectful.”

Sue tells TMZ, “I can’t think of any other reason why she would do that unless it’s just for the money.”

As we previously reported, several photos of Gary’s last moments — taken inside the hospital where he died — have been sold off to the tabloids … and Shannon is set to get a cut of the profits.

Source: TMZ

Gary Coleman Hospital Pics — Sold

Just as we predicted, the pictures of Gary Coleman’s final moments among the living have been sold to a tabloid — but the photo taken after Gary died was not part of the deal … sources tell TMZ.

Sources say three of the four photos — which Gary’s ex-wife Shannon Price orchestrated  — may hit stands as early as this week.

One of the photos that sold — Shannon posing next to a bedridden Gary who is riddled with tubes.

As we first reported, Shannon will get a cut of the profits.

Source: TMZ

Gary Coleman’s Wife Behind Gruesome Photos

TMZ has learned … Gary Coleman’s ex-wife is the mastermind behind the photos which show the actor in the hospital, bloodied, with tubes sticking out of his body … and there’s also a photo taken after he died.

We’re told Shannon Price had a production company shoot the photos — it’s the same production company that did the interview with her hours after Gary died.

Our sources say Shannon is featured in one of the photos.

We’re told the photos are being shopped around for five-figures … and Shannon is set to get a cut of the profits.

Source: TMZ

Gary Coleman’s parents believe his death may have been caused by foul play.

The late ‘Diff’rent Strokes’ actor’s estranged parents Sue and Willie Coleman want to find out whether a “blunt instrument” was responsible for his passing on May 28 from a brain haemorrhage.

Their spokesperson Victor Perillo, who was speaking on behalf of the couple, said: “If I had the dollars, I’d hire someone to take another look at the body to see if there was any blunt force trauma to the head.

“How did he hit his head? Why was there so much blood?”

The 42-year-old actor’s lifeless body was discovered on May 26 by ex-wife Shannon Price – who he was dating again and believed to be on the verge of remarrying – after he experienced a fall at his home.

Police do not believe his death was suspicious and Shannon, 24, made the decision to turn off the life support machine after doctors warned her he would never recover.

Gary’s longtime friend and former manager Dion Mial is due to take the copy of the latest will – where he is named as the executor – to Utah county court this week.

Until then, funeral plans have been put on hold.

Sue and Willie – who had not been in contact with Gary for years – revealed they wanted their son to finally be laid to rest soon.

Their lawyer Frederick Jackson said: “From the start, Mr. and Mrs. Coleman’s intention has been to see that Gary’s wishes be honoured and that his affairs be taken care of properly. They wanted to do things the right way, and they urge those still involved to do the same. The Colemans ask that everyone please treat Gary with respect and kindness. They feel it is time for him to find peace and let his spirit go.”

Source: BANG Showbiz

Gary Coleman Death Photo — For Sale

TMZ has learned a series of photos of Gary Coleman in the hospital are being shopped around to the media — and in one of the photos … Gary is already dead.

We’ve seen one of the photos and declined to even look at the rest. In the pic, Gary is in the hospital, his eyes are closed and he is hooked up to a ventilation machine. It is not a pleasant sight.

The person selling the photos claims to have four photos — the one we were shown was taken about an hour before he died. The final photo was taken after he was taken off life support.

Asking price is in the low five figures.

We’re guessing someone will buy it. It’s just the way it is.

Source: TMZ

Gary Coleman’s ex-wife Shannon Price has “no rights” in his will.

Dion Mial - the late ‘Diff’rent Strokes‘ actor’s longtime friend and former manager, who has been named as the executor of his estate - has revealed Gary’s former spouse will have no say in what happens to the star’s estate or funeral arrangements.

In a statement to RadarOnline.com, Dion said: “Shannon has absolutely no rights or authority, with regard to the disposition of Gary’s remains, services, estate management.”

The 24-year-old redhead – who Gary was reportedly planning on remarrying following their divorce in 2008 – had previously claimed the actor’s life would be celebrated in a funeral service this weekend.

However, Dion has revealed burial plans are still “pending”.

The former manager – who was named as the executor of Gary’s estate in a will he wrote in 1999, seven years before he met Shannon – will take the legal documents to Utah county court next week.

Lawyer Kent Alderman said: “We will submit that for probate next week and find out if this is the last will. We believe it is. Nobody’s come up with a more recent one.”

Dion has also praised his late friend – who died from a brain haemorrhage last month following a fall at his home – for “transforming” his life.

He said: “I am humbled by Gary’s confidence in me and by his fearless friendship. My life is transformed, because of his distinct presence in it.”

Since seeing a copy of the will, Gary’s estranged parents Sue and Willie Coleman have decided to give up on their plan to bury their son in his hometown of Illinois, and have urged everyone involved to finally “let his spirit go”.

Their lawyer Frederick Jackson said: “From the start, Mr. and Mrs. Coleman’s intention has been to see that Gary’s wishes be honored and that his affairs be taken care of properly. They wanted to do things the right way, and they urge those still involved to do the same. The Colemans ask that everyone please treat Gary with respect and kindness. They feel it is time for him to find peace and let his spirit go.”

Source: BANG Showbiz

Gary Coleman planned to remarry Shannon Price.

The Diff’rent Strokes actor – who died aged 42 late last month after suffering a brain haemorrhage – wanted to wed Shannon again following a secret divorce in 2008.

Shannon’s agent Sheila Erickson said: ‘They never remarried but they were recently talking about getting remarried.

‘They were waiting for Shannon and Gary’s health to get better. In fact, Gary wanted to wed two weeks ago, but she wanted him to get better first.’

Erickson also confirms Gary had signed papers giving Shannon the right to deal with medical decisions on his behalf.

She told USMagazine.com: ‘Gary signed papers giving Shannon full authorization. Gary didn’t contact his parents at all since hw as in the hospital. He hadn’t talked to them since he was 17. Even at a critical time, the only one he wanted to be responsible for him medically was a person he referred to as his wife, Shannon.

‘Even though they were divorced, it wasn’t something that stopped them being together. It was just a piece of paper to Gary and Shannon.’

Gary had a series of medical setbacks throughout his life, most recently undergoing heart surgery and contracting pneumonia.

Source: BANG Showbiz

Gary Coleman’s Ex — All Smiles in the Wake of Death

Just hours after Shannon Price decided to pull the plug and end Gary Coleman’s life — the actor’s ex-wife was already smiling and posing for photos.

TMZ has learned the photos seen here were taken on May 29 — just one day after Gary died. The woman smiling with Shannon is Sheila Erickson — an agent who worked with both Shannon and Gary.

The photos were taken around the same time she sat down with a camera crew and did an interview about Gary’s death.

We’re told Shannon wanted to do the interview “to get her side of the story out” — amongst speculation that she may have killed Gary.

Source: TMZ

Gary Coleman has a secret will, it has been claimed.

The ‘Diff’Rent Strokes’ actor – who passed away last Friday (28.05.10) aged 42 after suffering a brain haemorrhage – penned a document detailing who he wanted his assets distributed to after his death which is now in the hands of his close friend Todd Bridges.

Todd – who starred with Gary in ‘Diff’Rent Strokes’ – told Entertainment Tonight: “A friend of mine and I have paperwork, and we’ll bring it out soon, that will show what his wishes were and what he wanted.

“There’s a big fight going on with his parents and some other people involved, and after we bring this paperwork out, everybody’s going to shut up.”

Gary was estranged from his parents Sue and Willie for many years, and Todd has vowed to ensure none of his pal’s assets end up with them.

He added: “Gary had certain wishes excluding his parents. I’m not going to go against a dying man’s wishes. There’s a reason why he didn’t speak to them for 23 years.”

Meanwhile, Sue and Willie have hired a lawyer in a bid to get permission to bring their son “home”, arguing that since the actor was divorced from on/off partner Shannon Price at the time of his death, they are the legal custodians of his remains.

Their attorney Frederick Jackman issued a statement saying: “The Colemans don’t want to fight anyone. They’re hoping that by applying for Formal Probate, they can get through this process the right way.

“I don’t understand why so many people who knew Gary are being so secretive. The status of the divorce, whether or not anyone has a will, these are all issues that should be brought to the family’s attention immediately.”

In 1989 Gary sued his parents for allegedly stealing his fortune, something they have always denied.

Source: BANG Showbiz

Gary Coleman’s Ex — I Can’t Afford His Funeral

Gary Coleman’s ex-wife had a passion … for getting pampered and spending money in Las Vegas –  and now she’s begging Gary’s fans to help her with his funeral costs.

In an interview shot the day after Gary’s death — and obtained by TMZ — Shannon Price talks an awful lot about money … bragging that she “bought high-end stuff” during trips to Vegas.

Price also says she’s hard up for cash now because Gary couldn’t get life insurance — due to his kidney condition.

Source: TMZ

Gary C’s Ex: ‘He Would’ve Been Like Muhammad Ali’

Gary Coleman’s ex-wife Shannon Price is defending her decision to pull the plug on life support because she says she didn’t want Gary to be like Muhammad Ali or Terri Schiavo.

TMZ obtained an interview with Price … shot the day after Gary died.  Among other things, Price blurting out that she’s heard speculation that she pushed Gary and that caused him to fall and ultimately hemorrhage.  Price insists she didn’t push Gary – a weird statement, since no one had publicly accused her of that.

And Price fondly mentions that Gary did a lot for her — like buy her a car.

Source: TMZ