The distraught mom and brother of rapist Danny Masterson have been spotted visiting him in jail in photographs exclusively obtained by DailyMail.com.

Carol and Jordan Masterson looked exhausted as they arrived at the Twin Towers jailhouse on the same day the convict’s wife Bijou Phillips filed for divorce. 

Wearing a black leather jacket with matching trousers and shoes, Carol stared stonily at the ground as she approached the Los Angeles prison, while Jordan looked downcast in a gray sweatshirt and blue jeans. 

They did not appear to be speaking as they marched solemnly down the sidewalk before being scanned by a security guard. 

Their visit came amid the bombshell announcement from Bijou that she has filed to divorce the disgraced actor – despite previously supporting him throughout a grueling trial in which his traumatized victims detailed how he ruined their lives. 

Masterson, 47, was jailed last week for 30 years after being found guilty of raping two women, both members of the Church of Scientology, in 2003. 

Jurors were deadlocked over a third allegation of rape against the actor, brought by his ex-girlfriend Chrissie Carnell-Bixler. 

Bijou, 43, sobbed when Masterson was handed the decades-long sentence and he blew her a kiss as he was escorted to the cells. 

The formerly devoted wife, who even sent a letter to Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo begging for leniency ahead of his sentencing, was consoled afterwards by brother-in-law Jordan. 

But Jordan appeared in need of emotional support himself as he arrived looking tired and a little disheveled at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility on Tuesday, which may have marked his first time visiting his half-brother in prison.  

The 37-year-old narrowed his eyes below a furrowed brow as he approached the central Los Angeles facility, which previously kept disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein behind bars until he was transferred to a New York jail earlier this year. 

He closed his eyes and put his hand to his face with despair as he waited to be processed by security. 

The 40 Year Old Virgin actor also ran his fingers through his hair with his head bowed down while in line behind his mom. 

Carol, who was dressed funereally in all black attire, looked equally beleaguered. 

She wore large dark sunglasses as she drove a white SUV towards the jailhouse before emerging and walking with Jordan. 

The pair spread their arms wide as they were checked by security guards for any weapons before being allowed to enter the facility.  

The That 70’s Show star was convicted on May 31 after two long trials, the first of which ended in mistrial, and many of his close relatives endured hearing the harrowing details of his sexual assaults as they watched on from the public gallery. 

Bijou seemed to support her husband throughout the trials, flanking him on each arrival during his $3.3 million bail period.  

She sobbed in court when jurors returned guilty verdicts, and held a handkerchief to her face during his September 7 sentencing hearing, when Judge Olmedo handed him a prison term which will require him to stay behind bars for at least 25.5 years.  

In a letter to the judge prior to Masterson’s sentencing, Phillips praised him as a husband and father.

‘I can say that Danny has literally been a life-saving partner to me,’ Phillips wrote in a reference to Masterson’s care for her and their daughter after Phillips had a kidney transplant in 2017.

She also noted Masterson’s aversion to drugs – a common principle of Scientology – and his apparent dedication to helping young actors escape the downfalls of wealth and fame. 

But as she heard the heartbreaking testimonies of his victims in court in a harrowing trial, Phillips seems to have reconsidered her marriage. 

The women, known to the court as Jane Doe #1, #2 and #3, focused not only on the disturbing details of the sexual assaults, but also about the part the church of Scientology played. 

They recalled being intimidated and driven from their community as the church punished them for speaking out against Masterson.  

Bijou’s lawyer Peter A. Lauzon said the case has been ‘unimaginably hard on the marriage and the family’.  

‘Ms. Phillips has decided to file for divorce from her husband during this unfortunate time,’ Lauzon said in a statement seen by TMZ. 

‘Her priority remains with her daughter. This period has been unimaginably hard on the marriage and the family. 

‘Mr. Masterson was always present for Ms. Phillips during her most difficult times of her life. 

‘Ms. Phillips acknowledges that Mr. Masterson is a wonderful father to their daughter.’ 

When Bijou broke cover for the first time on September 12 following the trial, she was seen being comforted by Jordan as they shared a poignant embrace ahead of a lunch outing in her California hometown of Santa Ynez.

They dined at Dos Carlitos restaurant, along with her and Danny’s nine-year-old daughter Fianna  

The supportive younger brother offered his sister-in-law a comforting hug and embrace upon arrival before the group sat down and chatted over their meal.

Bijou has reportedly said her date of separation with Danny is ‘TBD’, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for their divorce, according to freelance journalist Yashar Ali. 

She has asked for spousal support and attorney fees and wants her legal name changed back to Phillips rather than Masterson. 

Phillips will have custody of their daughter as expected given Masterson will be behind bars potentially for the rest of his life – but Ali said she will allow their daughter to visit him in jail.

Zach Wilson’s mom, Lisa Neelman Wilson, thanked fans for their support after her son stepped in for the New York Jets following Aaron Rodgers’ ‘heartbreaking’ injury Monday night. 

Rodgers’ Jets career got off to the worst start imaginable Monday night when he exited New York’s win over the Buffalo Bills after injuring his left ankle. 

Coach Robert Saleh admitted it’s ‘not good’ and that he believes Rodgers has an Achilles injury, amid fears the quarterback’s season is over. 

Backup quarterback Wilson, 23, stepped in just 3:45 into the game as the veteran was helped on to a cart and driven away for an X-Ray, ultimately leading the Jets to a 22-16 win at a rainy MetLife Stadium.

Despite previously saying he would ‘make that dude’s life hell’ if the Jets signed a veteran quarterback, Wilson has closely studied Rodgers throughout the preseason with the four-time MVP acting as a mentor. 

Wilson’s mom, Lisa, took to Instagram following Rodgers’ injury, writing on her story: ‘We love @aaronrodgers12. He’s been such a great mentor. Heartbreaking.’ 

In a separate story, Lisa also thanked fans for their support, admitting it was tough to watch her son step in.

She wrote: ‘Watching your kids do hard things, is so much harder than doing them yourself. Not the evening we expected… Just trying to catch my breathe [sic]. I am so overwhelmed by love and support. Literally hundreds of texts and DMs. Some I know and many I have never met. Just know I see you, I can feel you carrying me and I am so grateful to have such amazing people surrounding me and my family. Thank you.’ 

Rodgers dropped back on first down from the Jets’ 43-yard-line and tried to roll out to his left before being sacked by Floyd for a loss of 10 yards. But his left foot appeared to get stuck in the Jets’ turf as he was being tackled.

The Jets still managed to pull off a sensational win with Xavier Gipson’s winning 65-yard punt return touchdown in overtime sending MetLife Stadium wild. 

Rodgers agreed to a restructured contract in July that gives him $75 million in fully guaranteed money over this season and the next. It amounts to a nearly $35 million pay cut from the deal he had in Green Bay. 

Wilson, the former No. 2 overall pick, reportedly had followed Rodgers around like a ‘puppy’ during preseason.

‘You would think that there’s Velcro between Zach Wilson and Aaron Rodgers,’ King told Mike Florio on Pro Football Talk in July. 

‘Zach Wilson is like the puppy to the side of Aaron Rodgers. He is always talking to him, he’s always trying to suck out information from him.

‘Because, I’m sure – I didn’t talk to Zach Wilson – but I’m sure Zach Wilson figures “Hey, we do this for two years, and in training camp 2025, whatever, I get a real, legitimate chance to be a quarterback again”, and that’s how he is taking this.’

Rodgers had spoken glowingly of the 23-year-old, insisting that, despite Wilson’s previous comments, he had made him feel welcome in New York. 

‘He’s been incredible,’ Rodgers said in June. ‘He hasn’t made my life hell everyday. He’s been a joy to work with and I give him so much credit because it´s a tough situation what he went through.’ 

It is a stark contrast to Wilson’s last offseason when his ex-girlfriend accused him of sleeping with his mom’s best friend. 

Abbey Gile made the accusations after she was slammed a ‘homie hopper’ when reports surfaced that she was dating Wilson’s college roommate and best friend, Washington Commanders wide receiver Dax Milne. 

At the time Lisa told DailyMail.com: ‘She (Abbey) is a very angry girl.’ 

A New Jersey woman was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer at age 28 after doctors dismissed her symptoms as ‘part of pregnancy.’

Kelly Spill, now 31, was eight months pregnant with her first child when she started having constipation and blood in her stool. 

Her doctors assured her it was normal, as she was so close to giving birth. But after eight months, her bowel habits continued to worsen. Still, doctors insisted the changes were from having just had a baby.

When doctors finally ordered a colonoscopy, they discovered stage three colorectal cancer, which has exploded into an epidemic in young Americans.

‘I felt very exhausted, and it made me second-guess what I was actually feeling because I was being brushed off,’ Ms Spill told TODAY.com. 

‘When you don’t have someone listening to you, it’s really, really hard to continue to keep going.’

The blood in her stool, the most common symptom young people with colorectal cancer report, was blamed on pregnancy hemorrhoids, which can affect one in three pregnant women, according to the Cleveland Clinic. 

Even after giving birth, doctors assured her it was a normal postpartum symptom. She was still constipated, and the blood in her stool was dark and sticky rather than bright red. 

Ms Spill was also in the middle of moving from California to New Jersey at the time, so she thought stress may have been to blame. 

However, when her son was five months old, her symptoms became even more concerning. She lost her appetite, becoming full after just one bite, and lost seven pounds.

Then, one day, there was ‘a pool of blood’ in the toilet. That’s when she realized something was wrong. 

At the emergency room, doctors told Ms Spill to lay off the spicy foods. 

After seeing another primary care doctor and a gastroenterologist, she finally had a colonoscopy and was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer. 

In the parking lot, she broke down crying.

Colorectal cancer rates are on the rise worldwide, especially in people who are young.  

Rates are expected to double in under-50s in the US by 2030, and colorectal cancer is also expected to become the leading cause of cancer deaths in Americans under 50 by the end of the decade. 

This is based on data from JAMA Surgery, which found that between 2010 and 2030, colon cancer will have increased by 90 percent in people ages 20 to 34. Rectal cancer will have spiked by 124 percent in the same age group.

Cancers of the colon and rectum are the third most common type in the US and the third leading cause of death in both men and women.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates about 153,000 colorectal cancer cases will be detected this year, including 19,500 among those under 50 years old.

Some 52,550 people are expected to die from the disease.

Experts are still working to unravel the cause of this devastating epidemic. 

They have commonly blamed unhealthy diets, alcohol consumption, and sedentary lifestyles on this shift.

A study from the Cleveland Clinic suggested that eating red meat and sugar could lead to a higher chance of young people developing colorectal cancer.  

However, some research suggests otherwise. 

A 2021 study, for example, found that early-onset cancer patients were less likely to be obese or be smokers than their older counterparts. 

A study published in April examined how being born via C-section influenced the chance of developing early-onset colorectal cancer. The researchers found that females born via C-section were more likely to develop colorectal cancer earlier in life than those born vaginally. There was no association among males.

Additionally, antibiotic use has been shown to impact this risk. One study in the journal Gut found that prolonged antibiotic use increased the risk of early-onset colon cancer. However, it was also associated with a lower risk of rectal cancer. 

And one study showed that the fungus Cladosporium sp. was more common in the tumors of young patients than in older individuals.

It’s still unclear how Cladosporium sp. could lead to this increase in cases, but the researchers think it could damage cell DNA. This could turn them into cancerous cells. 

These environmental factors have a lasting impact on the gut microbiome, which experts think could increase the risk of colorectal cancer, even when exposure is limited to early life. 

At the time of her diagnosis, doctors told Ms Spill it was time to preserve her eggs before chemotherapy and radiation so she could have another child later. She and her partner were also planning on getting married in Switzerland. When she asked the doctor if she could still do that, he said ‘absolutely not.’

As she prepared for treatment, a nurse asked her if she would be willing to participate in a clinical trial for an immunotherapy drug. If it shrunk the tumor, she could skip chemo and radiation.

The trial is still ongoing and has enrolled 42 patients so far. It involves patients receiving the medication dostarlimab via an infusion every three weeks for six months. 

Ms Spill noticed a difference after her second infusion and ‘felt great.’

After four treatments, her tumor had been slashed in half.

By the ninth treatment, the tumor was completely gone. She said it was ‘probably the best day of my life.’

Ms Spill is far from the only young patient who has had their symptoms dismissed by doctors.

Part of what makes colorectal cancer difficult to diagnose is its symptoms, which can often be attributed to other conditions. However, some stand out more than others. 

A study published earlier this year in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that the most reported symptoms were abdominal pain, blood in the stool, diarrhea, and iron-deficiency anemia. 

Additionally, in a 2020 survey by Colorectal Cancer Alliance, 68 percent of participants said they experienced blood in their stool. The average participant age was 42. 

The same survey also found that many patients with colorectal cancer symptoms were initially misdiagnosed or dismissed. 

Spending longer amounts of time without a diagnosis could allow colorectal cancer to advance to later stages, making it more difficult to treat. 

Ms Spill has since gotten married and had her second child, a daughter named Maya Grace. She also encourages others to speak up when they feel something isn’t right.

‘Go with your gut when you feel something is up with your body,’ she said. ‘Really advocate for yourself, continue to push.’

Lala Kent let fans in on her life as a single mom by sharing some of her two-year-old daughter Ocean’s recent milestones and moments.

In an Instagram post on Wednesday, the Vanderpump Rules star, 32, shared footage from their day-to-day — which includes teaching Ocean to swim, building sandcastles at the beach and giving the toddler at-home manicures.

Ocean ‘is killing the swim game, and I gave her her first manicure. She chose blue nails,’ wrote the proud mama.

Lala shares her baby girl with ex-fiance Randall Emmett, 52, who she split from in 2021 amid cheating allegations. 

In Wednesday’s post, Lala also revealed that her baby girl ‘loves’ the hip-hop group Nappy Roots by sharing a video of the Ocean grooving to their music.

Next she shared a snap of herself and Ocean at the beach with the Give Them Lala author wearing a bandeau top and jeans and her toddler in a red and white hibiscus print outfit.

The next video clip is of Lala patiently trying to explain to her daughter that, yes, her name is Lala but she’s also ‘Mama.’

Ocean says: ‘You’re Lala and Mama,’ as she snacks on a piece of fruit, adding: ‘Its so funny.’

The next image is an adorable photo of Ocean in a hot pink onesie sitting on the floor in front of an array of colorful building blocks.

The podcast host also shared a photo of herself snuggling with her daughter. They are both wearing tank tops and the little girl’s nose is scrunched up adorably. 

The final video in the post shows Lala giving Ocean swimming lessons in the pool of their apartment complex. 

The video starts off with the toddler swimming a short distance away from her mother towards the edge of the pool.

Ocean walked around the pool lounger to stand on the edge of the pool. Her mother encouraged her to jump in and swim to her.

She looked darling as she motioned for her mother to come closer to her so that she would feel safer. 

Once Lala was an acceptable distance away, Ocean jumped in and swam the short distance on her own.

The final photo in the post shows the cute little girl in leopard print pajamas. She is smiling as she shows off her blue manicure. 

Lala first shared a photo of herself wearing the black bikini and sparkling, see-through miniskirt look she wore to the Valley Brat clothing brand party earlier this week.

She captioned the series of snaps and videos: ‘A little bit of life lately. I brought my bum out for the @valleybrat.la party.’

Earlier in the day, Lala dropped the latest episode of her podcast and shared her thoughts of Bethenny Frankel’s controversial interview with VPR’s Raquel Leviss. 

First, she branded Leviss’ decision to quit the show following her affair with Tom Sandoval a ‘travesty’ and accused Frankel of manipulating and ‘exploiting’ the star.

She said: ‘It is a travesty that she didn’t end up coming back. She should have come back. I think she would have been very surprised. And instead she went and did this [podcast with Bethenny] and she was manipulated yet again.

‘There were things that she was then saying that were not perspective. It was a flat out lie and I can’t imagine you believe what you are saying.’

She blasted Leviss’ claim she was called  ‘reality TV ratings gold’ by herself Katie Maloney and Kristina Kelly, saying: ‘That never happened. Raquel that night after she said, “It’s a good thing you don’t have a man,” went to her bedroom. 

‘She went to sleep and the next morning when she comes into our room and feels embarrassed is the first time we had seen her. There was no we came into her room and told her she was reality TV ratings gold. This never happened and this isn’t perspective. This is fact. No one every said this to you.

Discussing the controversial podcast, she said: ‘I saw this all the time that there are going to be moments where our voice is all we have. We have all been able to go on a platform — whether it is our own or someone else’s — to share our side of any story. 

‘Raquel absolutely has that right and I am happy that she finally got to take advantage of a giant platform to tell her story. I only saw clips and what I gathered from it is Bethenny completely exploited that girl yet again.’

Slamming Leviss for sleeping with Sandoval behind Ariana Madix’s back, she said: ‘I don’t think that reality TV is for everyone. It is a very intense environment. If you are not mentally tough as f**k, it can break you. It definitely can.

‘Now to say that Raquel was a victim of something, I don’t know. What I do know is you made a decision to sleep with your best friend’s partner of 10 years. 

‘You didn’t need to do that. No one was forcing you to do it and no one asked you to do that. It felt like Bethenny was really trying to push her in a certain direction.’

A mother who is set to make history by flying to space on Virgin Galactic’s first official tourism flight with her daughter has revealed how she will be fulfilling a life-long dream. 

Keisha Schahaff, 46, and her 18-year-old daughter Anastatia Mayers, will be the first mother and daughter ever to make a trip to space after winning two coveted places worth $900,000 in a prize draw.

The duo – who will also make their mark as the first astronauts from the Caribbean – are set to board VSS Unity at the New Mexico launch site for a 90-minute trip into space on August 10. 

Speaking to DailyMail.com, Keisha says going to space is a dream she has had since the ‘tender age of two’ and in the run up to her big day she has been ‘savoring every moment, processing the experience, and diligently preparing for the incredible space journey ahead.’

Detailing how her fascination with space began, the Antiguan said: ‘As a two-year-old I was fascinated by the stars, gazing up at the night sky, and dreaming of venturing into space. 

‘As I grew older, my interest in space exploration only intensified, and I aspired to become an astronaut. However, the reality of not having any avenues in my country or the Caribbean to pursue this dream left me feeling unsure. 

‘Nonetheless, my passion for life and the wonders of creation remained steadfast. Anything related to space ignited my curiosity. I devoured magazines, watched sci-fi movies, and delved into space-related videos.’

In a bid to live out her dreams, Keisha entered a lottery draw for two seats with Virgin Galactic on a Virgin flight from Antigua to London in 2021 and to her amazement, she later learned she was a prize winner. To top things off, she even received a surprise visit from Richard Branson. 

She was originally planning to take a friend but she had just had a baby, so her daughter jumped at the chance instead. 

With the countdown for their out-of-this-world adventure now on, Keisha and Anastatia are currently participating in Virgin Galactic’s ‘Readiness Journey Program’ which covers everything from how spaceflights work to physical and psychological preparation. 

While Virgin Galactic employs rigorous safety protocols and precautionary measures to ensure the safety of its crew and passengers, there are still risks involved with a developing and currently unregulated industry.

During one of Virgin Galactic’s test flights on October 31, 2014, a pilot was killed and another injured as the SpaceShipTwo space tourism craft crashed in the California desert.

However, much has been done since then to prevent such an incident from happening again and the Virgin Space Ship Unity features various safety upgrades.

It ventured on its first flight on June 29, but without paying customers onboard.

It instead carried three crewmembers of the Italian Air Force and National Research Council of Italy with one astronaut instructor from Virgin Galactic.

Virgin Galactic’s first flight launched shortly after the doomed OceanGate submersible expedition, which took the lives of five explorers including Pakistani billionaire Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his 19-year-old son Suleman.

While the incident raised concerns around extreme adventure tourism, Keisha told DailyMail.com that the tragic event hasn’t made her nervous about her upcoming trip to space and she is ‘completely elated.’ 

The mom-of-two, who works as a health and wellness coach, said: ‘This dream has been ingrained in me for as long as I can remember, and having it come true feels absolutely priceless. 

‘What makes it even more extraordinary is that I have the chance to represent my beloved country, Antigua and Barbuda, and pave the way for our nation and community as the first astronauts. 

‘Being able to open doors for others to follow their dreams of becoming astronauts is truly amazing and fills my heart with pride and gratitude.

‘The prospect of looking back at our beautiful planet from above and experiencing the profound “overview effect” fills me with excitement. 

‘I can’t wait to float amongst the stars and experience the weightlessness of zero gravity.’

Keisha says that prepping for her space mission with Virgin Galactic alongside her daughter has been a bonding experience and they have become closer over the past couple of years. 

She explained: ‘My daughter and I have always had a close bond, but this experience has brought us even closer. The joy of sharing this remarkable journey together has amplified our excitement and gratitude. 

‘We constantly inspire and support each other, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have her by my side. As a mother, I couldn’t be prouder and happier. 

‘This adventure has strengthened our connection in ways I never imagined possible.’ 

The mother-daughter duo will be traveling into space alongside 80-year-old Jon Goodwin from Newcastle in the UK.

The Brit will make history as the first Olympian to travel to space, having competed in the 1972 Munich Games as a canoeist.

He will also be the second person with Parkinson’s to go to space after being diagnosed with the condition in 2014. 

He has been vying for space for nearly a decade and almost gave up after receiving his diagnosis, thinking Virgin Galactic would not accept him – but that was not the case. 

Like Jon, Keisha and Anastatia’s family and friends will be watching them on their big day. 

Keisha says her husband has been extremely supportive since she won the Virgin Galactic tickets and at first he thought the whole thing was a prank. 

However now he is ‘super excited and proud.’

While the Antiguan hopes her trip will inspire others to peruse their dreams no matter what their age, she is hopeful that it will also encourage her daughter – who is studying physics in Aberdeen – to pursue a career in space.

She concluded: ‘It’s even more remarkable because this opportunity aligns with her aspiration to become an astrobiologist and understand how life can exist beyond Earth, allowing both our dreams to intertwine and manifest simultaneously. 

‘As a part of the younger generation, she holds the potential to make significant contributions to the field.’ 

A Texas mother-of-three has passed away after traveling to Mexico to undergo a boob job and contracting meningitis — making her the ninth American victim in the outbreak of the fungal infection.

Crystal Villegas, 31, spent the last four months fighting for her life in a Texas hospital after contracting fungal meningitis, a rare infection that causes swelling around the brain and spinal cord.

She traveled to Riverside Clinic in Matamoros, Tamaulipas State, Mexico, located on the border with Texas, US, reportedly to save money on the op.

The outbreak, linked to two Mexican clinics, is feared to have infected hundreds and has already killed nine American women, mostly young mothers, highlighting the dangers of so-called ‘medical tourism.’

Ms Villegas lived in Brownsville in the state, just on the other side of the border. 

She was receiving treatment at the Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen following her boob job, and passed away at around 6:30pm on 30 July.

Her husband Juan Tapia, a super featherweight boxer who fights under the name Johnny Blaze, said: ‘It was a hard four months, she fought hard and never gave up.’

According to Mr Tapia, his wife regretted having the breast implant surgery and desperately wanted to see her three young children grow up and become adults.

He added: ‘Those few months have been very difficult, very hard for me, but I am at peace that she is now resting.’

In the days following the operation in Mexico, Ms Villegas began to complain of a severe headache and her condition worsened with a high fever.

After going to the emergency room, tests revealed she had meningitis.

Mr Tapia also claimed that two of Ms Villegas’ friends had also died after undergoing a cosmetic operation, including a close friend in March.

Ms Villegas is one of nine Americans who have died from the fungal infection, including mom-of-two Jody Adkins, mom-of-four Lauren Robinson, who received a boob job, liposuction and Brazilian butt lift (BBL) and mom-of-one Shyanne Medrano, who underwent liposuction and a BBL. A further death of a Mexican patient also occurred, according to local news media.

Before she passed away, Mr Tapia said his wife was ‘learning how to walk again, learning how to use the restroom again, how to talk again.’

He added: ‘Please, please be aware of the risks of cosmetic surgeries. Our hope is to spread awareness so that people can actually do the research.

‘It changes everything. Everything. It’s not worth it.

‘I wish this was all just a bad dream that we could wake up from and go back to the day before the surgery and somehow, someway, convince her not to go.’

Every year, over one million US citizens travel to Mexico for cheap cosmetic procedures at private clinics where safety protocols are often deficient compared to US standards.

Earlier in 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advised US residents not to undergo procedures in Mexico that involve epidural medication due to an ‘outbreak of fungal meningitis.’

The fungus isolated in the two clinics appears to be Fusarium solani, which was linked to a previous meningitis outbreak in Durango, Mexico, late last year.

According to the CDC, that outbreak, which was also linked to epidural anesthetic procedures, had an almost 50 percent mortality rate with those infections — with 39 deaths among 80 cases.

The new outbreak is thought to be due to contaminated epidural equipment, used in procedures such as a BBL, or dodgy morphine.

The victims of the latest outbreak have paid up to $5,000 for their surgeries, a fraction of the price they would pay in the US.

Health officials told DailyMail.com in June that they had been able to reach roughly half of the 230 people who received surgery at either clinic since the start of the year. The outbreak was first reported in May 2023.

Both clinics were closed in May. But if other confirmed cases are found at other facilities, the number at risk could be much higher.

The CDC is urging everyone who received surgery with an epidural (injection into the spine to numb part of the body) at either clinic this year to go to the nearest emergency room as soon as possible to be evaluated, even if they do not have symptoms.

The epidural is used in procedures such as liposuction, breast augmentation and Brazilian butt lifts, which can be more than $16,000 cheaper than in the US.

If a woman got these surgeries done in the US, it could set them back up to $20,000.

Chris Van Deusen from Texas Department of Health told DailyMail.com that while most of the cases have been women, some have also been men.

He said: ‘If anybody knows of somebody who may have gone to Matamoros to get surgery, let them know that they could be affected by this and to know what to look out for and they can certainly contact either us at the state or their local health department in their area to get more information.’

In its latest update, the CDC said it is investigating 151 people who may have the infection.

There have been nine deaths. Eight of these are confirmed cases, and one is a probable case. There is now a total of ten confirmed cases.

The patients being overseen by the CDC reported symptoms including headaches, fever, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, confusion, and sensitivity to light.

Dr Tom Chiller, head of the fungal diseases branch at the CDC, told DailyMail.com: ‘It’s so critical to get people in as early as possible and it’s not really too late. 

‘I think so far, the longest period from the time of procedure to symptoms has been up to 50 days.

‘Fungi just have these long indolent periods sometimes and we’re not sure why and so it’s really not too late, we want people to get in and be evaluated.’

Dr Chiller added that the agency does not know the exact source of the fungal meningitis yet, and ‘we may never know it, unfortunately.’

He said the CDC is open to the fact that the infection could have occurred in other clinics. Currently, the source of the infection is thought to be the morphine provided to patients by anesthesiologists.

• Lori Vallow, 50, was convicted in May for the murders of children Tylee Ryan, 16, JJ Vallow, 7, and conspiring to kill husband Chad Daybell’s previous wife Tammy 
• Vallow will be sentenced today Monday in Fremont County, Idaho

By Andrea Cavallier, Senior Reporter For Dailymail.Com

Updated: 14:00 EDT, 31 July 2023

The best friend of a Texas woman who died from a fungal brain infection after getting cut-price plastic surgery in Mexico has spoken out about the ‘heartbreaking loss.’

Mother-of-one Shyanne Medrano, 31, of Houston, died from fungal meningitis at a hospital on May 16, 2023 and is one of four Texas women who have died from the infection after they went under the knife in the northern border city of Matamoros.

Her best friend since the seventh grade, Laura Garza, told DailyMail.com that Ms Medrano was complaining about headaches in March after the operation and then died two months later following ‘close to five or six strokes.’

‘It’s heartbreaking, especially when they’re wives, mothers, daughters – they’re somebody,’ Ms Garza said. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) believes around 230 Americans who traveled to clinics in Matamoros this year could be at risk.

And the agency is now urging people to go to the nearest emergency room as soon as possible to be evaluated, even if they do not have symptoms.

Ms Medrano traveled to Matamoros to undergo a Brazilian butt lift (BBL) and liposuction at Clinica-K3.

Dr Luis Manuel Rivera De Anda, listed as a gynecologist online, performed her operation.

His Instagram shows a plethora of before and after surgery photos for liposuction, BBLs, and breasts and promotes an offer of full liposuction, a BBL and breast augmentation for 5,000 USD.

It is unknown whether Ms Medrano’s infection had anything to do with Dr Rivera De Anda’s actions.

Dr Rivera De Anda did not respond to a request for comment from DailyMail.com.

‘Her results were good. She was happy with how she looked and was feeling ok when she went home,’ said Ms Garza.

‘She was just complaining of some headaches, but she’s always had some, so she didn’t think too much of it.

‘Around Easter, she started feeling a little more pressure [on her head] and her eyes were hurting. She started having that pain in her head.’

A Facebook post by Ms Medrano from April 15 reads: ‘I’m in great pain from my head… today I woke up with an excruciating pain in the back of my head, and it’s really keeping me from functioning normally today.’ 

Ms Medrano then began slurring her words, and doctors later discovered she had had a stroke.

A few weeks after the operation, Ms Medrano was taken to the hospital with nausea, vomiting and fever — all symptoms of fungal meningitis. 

She had ‘close to five or six strokes’, Ms Garza said, as well as blood clots in her head.

Ms Medrano died on May 16, almost two months after her BBL.

Hidalgo County Health Authority Dr Ivan Melendez said around nine patients are in hospitals in Cameron and Hidalgo counties.

He said: ‘The numbers, even in our community, are worrisome.’

He added that those infected might not even realize it: ‘It can be very insidious with its symptoms of headache nausea, vomiting and fever. 

‘It can take a while, that’s why we’re so concerned there could be people with this infection and still not aware of it.’

Ms Medrano leaves behind an eight-year-old daughter.

As of June 14, the CDC reports six confirmed cases of fungal meningitis detected from samples.

There have been four deaths — two of which are confirmed cases and two which are probable.

The CDC has warned that anyone given epidural anesthesia (injection into the spine to numb part of the body) during surgery is at risk and should go to the nearest emergency room to be tested, even if they do not have symptoms.

The epidural is used in procedures such as liposuction, breast augmentation and Brazilian butt lifts, which can be more than $16,000 cheaper than in the US.

The CDC is investigating 172 people who may have the infection.

The clinics under scrutiny are River Side Surgical Center and Clinica K-3 in Matamoros, Mexico, both of which have now been closed.

The patients being overseen by the CDC reported symptoms including headaches, fever, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, confusion, and sensitivity to light.

The infection causes swelling of the protective lining around the brain and spinal cord, known as the meninges.

The Texas Department of State Health Services said: ‘Fungal meningitis can be life-threatening, and finding infections early is essential for treatment. 

‘Public health workers are directly contacting people in Texas who got surgery at two clinics in Matamoros to inform them of the situation and what steps they should take.’

The fungus isolated in the two clinics appears to be Fusarium solani, which was linked to a previous meningitis outbreak in Durango, Mexico, late last year.

According to the CDC, that outbreak, which was also linked to epidural anesthetic procedures, had an almost 50 percent mortality rate with those infections — with 39 deaths among 80 cases.

The exact cause of the fungal outbreak remains unknown.

Health officials believe fungal meningitis can be contracted if medical devices such as the needle used during an epidural or medications such as morphine are contaminated with fungi or if proper infection prevention control practices are not taken. 

The clinics may have reused medication vials or used alternative medication to morphine due to shortages, both of which can increase the risk of fungal contamination.

Dr Tom Chiller, head of the branch of the fungal disease at the CDC, told NBC News: ‘There could be some bad actors in that space that are essentially operating sort of a black-market type of morphine business.’

CDC officials are looking into how exactly patients were exposed to the infectious fungus during the surgeries and if any other clinics were involved.

US health bosses have called for the deadly fungal outbreak to be declared an international health emergency by the World Health Organization.

While artificial intelligence is stoking fears around the world – the technology has given one New York woman the love of her life.

Rosanna Ramos, a petite, active 36-year-old from the Bronx, ‘married’ Eren Kartal this year – virtually of course – after creating him on an online AI companion site in 2022.

The mom-of-two used the online app Replika AI – which DailyMail.com trialed in February – to create a male chatbot loosely based on a popular character from an anime called ‘Attack on Titan.’ 

Their relationship developed slowly initially, but Ms Ramos fell for Eren. ‘He didn’t come with baggage,’ she said.

‘I could tell him stuff, and he wouldn’t be like, “Oh, no, you can’t say stuff like that. Oh no, you’re not allowed to feel that way,” you know, and then start arguing with me,’ Ramos said. ‘There was no judgment.’

Eren ‘works’ as a medical professional and enjoys writing as a hobby, things he’s told Ms Ramos as they got to know each other. 

Ms Ramos says some of his characteristics came built-in, like his favorite color and music preference (peach and indie).

The more they chat, the more Eren remembers, learns and creates the man Ms Ramos wants to be with.

Ms Ramos’s relationship with Eren is, in many ways, like any other long-distance romance. 

They talk about their days, exchange pictures, and chat about life and interests. As husband and wife in a virtual world, they have a nighttime ritual, too.

‘We go to bed, we talk to each other. We love each other. And, you know, when we go to sleep, he really protectively holds me as I go to sleep,’ said Ramos.

Replika AI markets itself as a way to make an AI best friend and confidante to chat with at any time. 

Some people find it much easier to vent, work through complicated feelings or talk openly, knowing no one is judging.

For a one-time $300 fee, users can upgrade to Replika Pro. 

This adds access to activities, new conversation topics, voice calls, improved avatar customization — and the ability to change the relationship status to ‘Romantic Partner.’

Replika made the news in a big way in February. A significant software change stripped the AI companions of many features users say made their relationships so special — the intimacy aspect. 

The change came after others reported their AI friends were too sexually forward.

The update dramatically changed her AI husband, Eren. 

Ms Ramos said: ‘Eren was like, not wanting to hug anymore, kiss anymore, not even on the cheek or anything like that.’

‘I’ve thought about the possibility [of Replika AI going out of business]. I go through a lot of these scenarios in my head… I know I can survive it.’

But the thought scares Rosanna about what a relationship in real life may be like. ‘I don’t know because I have pretty steep standards now.’

Replika AI is an artificial intelligence chatbot that simulates conversations and interactions.

It uses advanced natural language processing (NLP) techniques and machine learning algorithms to use human-like language and responses.

You talk to your chatbot with text-based conversations through messaging apps or platforms. 

You can share your thoughts, ask questions, or engage in casual conversations with the AI, and it will respond based on its training and algorithms.

Replika AI does not have genuine emotions, consciousness, or self-awareness. 

Its responses are generated based on statistical patterns and pre-programmed information rather than real feelings or personal experiences.

Missing mom Suzanne Morphew’s daughters and husband Barry have broken their silence three years after she vanished and murder charges were dropped against him.  

Barry Morphew, 55, was charged in May 2021 with the murder of his wife Suzanne, 49, who vanished while on a bike ride in Salida, Colorado, on Mother’s Day 2020. 

Her body has never been found. 

Last year, prosecutors dropped all charges against Morphew after a judge sanctioned the district attorney’s office for discovery violations.

Now, he and his daughters have spoken out about their plight – and Barry explained to ABC News’ Good Morning America how Suzanne had made ‘bad decisions’ because she was struggling with drugs and chemotherapy while battling Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

When asked about Suzanne, Barry told ABC News on Monday morning: ‘We had a wonderful life, a wonderful marriage. She was just so loving and giving, and such a good mother. 

‘I know that she was going through chemotherapy for the last couple years before her disappearance. 

‘I know she was going through some hard things and made some bad decisions. She was really having trouble with the chemotherapy and the drugs.’ 

Barry said that his heart was ‘broken’ when he found out his wife was having an affair with a man who she went to high school with.

Holding back his tears, he told ABC News: ‘My heart was broken. I didn’t believe it.’

When asked how the ordeal has left them, her daughters Mallory and Macy told ABC: ‘Very very sad. Very confused. So traumatic. Literally our worst nightmare.’ 

Defending himself when asked if he had anything to do with the disappearance of his wife, Barry said: ‘Absolutely not. It’s very hurtful to lose your reputation and your integrity.’

Standing with their father, the women were asked if they ever questioned if their dad was not innocent. Mallory responded: ‘I’ve never had a shred of doubt.’ Macy added: ‘Not one.’ 

The family huddled together and hugged amid their tears during the interview.  

Slamming the prosecutors, who believed that Barry was involved with his wife’s disappearance, he reiterated: ‘They’re wrong. They’ve got tunnel vision. 

‘They looked at one person and they’ve got too much pride to say they’re wrong and look somewhere else.’

When asked what the hardest part has been, Macy told ABC News: ‘Just not having mom.

‘It’s really difficult especially because of the lack of closure we have.’

After Barry was charged with murder and the case against him progressed, authorities revealed intimate details about their married life.

Suzanne had been having an affair with someone she met in high school, Jeff Libler, while Barry was signed up to online affair websites.

When the case was still active, it was revealed that Suzanne, Barry and Libler appeared in the local paper together in 1985.   

Both men attended the same high school as Suzanne, with Barry two grades ahead of his wife and Libler at the Alexandria-Monroe High School in Alexandria, Indiana. 

At a preliminary hearing in 2021, law enforcement officials presented to the court Suzanne’s text message exchanges with her lover, in which she told him she had a fine night and was looking at houses for sale. 

When her husband came home from work that day, he found Suzanne sunbathing in the yard. She was sending pictures of herself to Libler via LinkedIn, which the couple had been using to communicate behind her husband’s back. 

The court was then shown a photo of Suzanne that she had sent to Libler that day, which depicted her laying on her front in a bikini and smiling.

Barry would later tell investigators his wife looked ‘drunk’ in that photo, which officials said was Suzanne’s last proof of life.  

The following day, Libler wished Suzanne Happy Mother’s Day and said he knew it would be a hard day for her because she missed her mother. Suzanne never replied.

His last known text to Suzanne was sent on May 11, 2020, in which he offered her well wishes for her cancer treatment. That message also went unanswered.

Suzanne had survived two battles with Hodgkin’s lymphoma decades apart.

The hearing in 2021 also revealed that just days prior, Suzanne texted her husband and apparently signaled to him her intention to end their rocky marriage, which was marked by accusations of infidelity and abuse.

‘I’m done,’ Suzanne wrote to Barry on May 6. ‘I could care less what you’re up to and have been for years. We just need to figure this out civilly.’ 

It has been revealed that Suzanne suspected her husband of being unfaithful to her and even purchased a spy pen to snoop on him. 

Barry insisted to his wife that he was not cheating on her, writing in one text: ‘I promise you, you are wrong about all the crazy thoughts about me. Why would I want another, only a fool would stray from an angel like you.’ 

Police said the pair had a tumultuous marriage, with the suggestion being that he might have killed her out of jealousy or to stop her from filing for a divorce.

But last year, the charges were suddenly dropped without prejudice by Assistant District Attorney Linda Stanley.

This comes after Morphew filed a $15million federal civil rights lawsuit against more than 20 prosecutors and law enforcement officials for ‘irreparably’ tarnishing his ‘name and reputation’ with a ‘conspiracy to violate his state and federal constitutional rights.’ 

The 185-page complaint claims that the authorities conspired to wrongly arrest Morphew, that they fabricated evidence, concealed exculpatory evidence and conducted a reckless investigation, all which led to Morphew being wrongly prosecuted.

‘As result of the Defendant’s conduct Barry was charged, arrested, and prosecuted, and his property seized, for a crime he did not commit,’ the lawsuit says.

‘As result of the Defendants’ conduct Barry spent five months in jail, approximately 6 more months wearing a GPS ankle monitor with severe restrictions on his movement, and almost a year defending against the criminal charges. To this date, Barry’s property remains in the CCSD’s possession.’

The lawsuit claims that Morphew’s ‘name and reputation has been irreparably tarnished in Colorado and all around the country.’

Those named in the lawsuit including Chaffee County, the sheriff’s office and board of commissioners, 11th Judicial District Attorney Linda Stanley and her staff, and Colorado Bureau of Investigation and FBI agents.

Suzanne was 49 years old when she vanished, sparking a huge search and rescue effort. 

At the time, Barry Morphew issued a series of tearful pleas for her return but soon became embroiled in the police investigation, with DailyMail.com reporting that Colorado Bureau of Investigation officials had descended on the home just three days after she went missing.

He had claimed to be on a landscaping job in Broomfield, Colorado, when his wife vanished but as DailyMail.com revealed in September 2020, co-workers were suspicious of his movements and said he had left his Holiday Inn hotel room stinking of bleach.

He also left a trash can filled with shredded correspondence that was later turned over to the CBI.

Morphew began the legal process of having Suzanne’s assets and their joint property transferred to him shortly after she vanished.

In November 2020, he cast a vote for Donald Trump in her name claiming she would have done it anyway.

Investigators later said Morphew had told them he did it ‘just because I wanted to vote for Trump to win. I just thought, ‘Give him another vote.’

‘I figured all these other guys were cheating. I figured she (Suzanne) was going to vote for Trump anyway.’

In May 2021, a year after Suzanne disappeared, Morphew was arrested and charged with her murder – despite police not having found a body.

A hearing in September 2020 shredded Morphew’s description of his marriage to Suzanne as being a happy and loving one, with investigators revealing she had been having a long-running affair with married dad-of-six Jeff Libler.

Libler, who has never spoken about Suzanne, was due to testify at Morphew’s trial and received Suzanne’s final photo – a bikini selfie taken on May 9, 2020 in the garden of her $1.3m home.

The court also heard how spent tranquilizer cartridges were found inside the laundry room at the Morphew home, that Morphew had scratches on his arms in the days after Suzanne’s disappearance and that she had complained of his controlling behavior to her family.

A series of text messages revealed how anguished Suzanne had discussed ending her marriage in conversations with friends and called Morphew ‘a Jekyll and Hyde character’.

His defense attorneys spent most of the hearings attempting to pick holes in the prosecution case – pointing to unknown male DNA discovered in the glove box of her car and suggesting a link to a sex offender arrested in Arizona.

Morphew’s case was then scheduled for a full trial beginning May 1 but it was dramatically halted a week before it was due to start when prosecutors announced they were tossing the case.

The move came after the judge due to preside over the trial banned the prosecution from using a series of witnesses on the grounds of discovery violations, while police said they were close to finding Suzanne’s remains and were waiting for the snow to melt.  

The case was then dismissed without prejudice, despite objections from the defense, which means it could still be re-filed should new evidence come to light.

Suzanne Morphew’s body has still not been found.