Though the singer wasn’t on the scene, a Los Angeles photographer was accidentally killed while attempting to get his picture. The murder began when Justin Bieber loaned his Ferrari to rapper Lil Twist, who was later pulled over for speeding. The photographer arrived on the scene hoping to get a very interesting picture of Justin Bieber receiving a speeding ticket. However, police instructed the photographer to return to his car. He was struck and killed by an SUV while doing so.

Bieber’s people released the following statement:

“While I was not present nor directly involved with this tragic accident, my thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim,” Bieber said in a statement.

“Hopefully this tragedy will finally inspire meaningful legislation and whatever other necessary steps to protect the lives and safety of celebrities, police officers, innocent public bystanders, and the photographers themselves.”

Maaaaatttttttloooooooooock!

Matlock Andy Griffith died Tuesday morning in his North Carolina home. Griffith had endured quadruple bypass heart surgery in 2000, then a hip surgery after falling in 2007.

Because Andy Griffith probably never resonated profoundly with the younger readers of this site, our reaction can probably be encapsulated with this cryptic Dave Coulier (Full House) Tweet:

“RIP Andy Griffith. Thank you for all the laughs. I love Mayberry, and never knew that R.F.D. was for Rural Free Delivery. #AndyGriffith”

#sad

Jones joined The Monkees in 1965 when producers were looking to cast a scripted series about a rock band. Along with Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork, the quartet scored three number one hits — “Daydream Believer,” “I’m a Believer,” and “Last Train to Clarksville.”

They also came together to show their more serious side by creating the tripped-out experimental, Jack Nicholson-penned film Head, as a counter to the films The Beatles were creating at the time.

Jones is survived by his wife and four daughters. (TMZ)

-Go over to your friend’s house and find him deceased (if he’s not deceased, leave and try different friends until you get lucky).

-Now that you have your corpse, round up another friend.

-Snag the dearly departed’s credit card and hit the bars.

-Also, bring the dead guy around with you.

Well, that’s what two Denver rad party dudes did.

Prosecutors have charged Robert Jeffrey Young, 43, and Mark Rubinson, 25, with abusing a corpse, identity theft and criminal impersonation.

The men found their friend Jeffrey Jarrett unresponsive at his house late on Aug. 27, before loading him into Rubinson’s car and taking him to a local bar and grill, where they drank on his tab.

They then went to another bar, before returning Jarrett’s body to his home and continuing their night out using their dead friend’s ATM card to withdraw money. On their way home, they flagged down a cop and told him they thought their friend was dead at his house.

Neither Young nor Rubinson has been charged with Jarrett’s death, the cause of which is still to be determined.

At any rate, I’m sure it’s all just one big misunderstanding. They seem like pretty trustworthy chuckleheads.

(via Fox News)

The director responsible for a string of classics passed away yesterday. John Hughes reportedly suffered a fatal heart attack while visiting family in Manhattan. He was 59. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, The Breakfast Club, and Sixteen Candles (amongst others) will always be held in high regard around here. Screen Junkies would like to pass on our condolescences to the family and friends of Mr. Hughes. (AP)

Don’t you forget about these morning links…

Television’s ultimate pitchman has passed away. Billy Mays, the charismatic and clamorous infomercial host died in his sleep after sustaining a head injury during a rough plane landing this past weekend. The very likeable Mays is currently co-starring with Anthony Sullivan on the Discovery Channel show Pitchmen. This really is such a shame. It’s always sad to see someone cut down while their star is on the rise. His contributions to the tapestry of television will be sorely missed. (Variety)

And on a side note, can we please put a stop to all of these recent high profile deaths? Keyboard Cat’s paws are gonna fall off at this rate.

The U.S. Embassy has confirmed the death of Kung Fu and Kill Bill star David Carradine. The 72 year old actor was discovered early Thursday morning in his Bangkok hotel room. Currently there are conflicting reports concerning the cause of death. Screen Junkies would like to offer our sincere condolences to all of David’s loved ones.

Less depressing morning news…

Eminem was implicit! (Cinema Blend)

Bruno put a lady in a wheelchair. (Reuters)

Short Circuit remake grabs a Robot Chicken scribe. (Empire)

Prison Break‘s T-Bag joins Heroes. (THR)

Winona Ryder is totes cray-cray. (The Playlist)