newsmakers

newsmakers

Teena Marie cause of death is unclear

LOS ANGELES

Investigators say an autopsy on R&B singer Teena Marie revealed no signs of trauma, but it likely will be weeks before a cause of death will be determined. Los Angeles County Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter said Wednesday that toxicology tests that could determine Marie’s cause of death take about six weeks. Winter says her body showed no signs of trauma, and no illegal drugs were found in the Pasadena home where she died.

Marie, the singer of hits such as “Lovergirl” who was often called the “Ivory Queen of Soul,” was found unresponsive by family members in her home Sunday. She was 54. Police said in a statement that the death appeared to be from natural causes.

Nicole Richie wraps probation early

LOS ANGELES

Nicole Richie is no longer on probation for a 2006 drunken-driving case. A spokeswoman for the reality star-turned-fashion designer says a judge ended Richie’s probation Wednesday after receiving proof that the 29-year-old had satisfied its terms.

Publicist Nicole Perna says Richie was to remain on probation until February, but the judge agreed to end probation early because Richie completed its requirements, including attending an 18-month alcohol-education program.

Richie wed her longtime boyfriend, rocker Joel Madden, this month. They have two children together.

Queen honors Lennox for her charity work

LONDON

Sweet dreams are made of this for Annie Lennox, honored by Queen Elizabeth II in the monarch’s New Year list of awards.

The statuesque Scottish singer, who came to fame in 1980s duo Eurythmics, was named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, or OBE, for her work with charities fighting AIDS and poverty in Africa. She is an ambassador for development group Oxfam and founded the SING campaign to help women and children with HIV.

Lennox, 56, is among several 1980s icons honored in today’s list. Fashion designer Katharine Hamnett, creator of that decade’s oversized “Choose Life” slogan T-shirts, and Grammy-winning music producer Trevor Horn, who honed the futuristic sound of Frankie Goes to Hollywood, were both named Commanders of the Order of the British Empire, or CBE.

Britain’s honors are bestowed twice a year by the monarch — at New Year’s and on her official birthday in June — but recipients are selected by committees of civil servants from nominations made by the government and the public.

Vindicator wire services