Investigation continues into cause of Woodbury house fire that killed singer Jill Sobule
Fire officials in Woodbury on Friday morning were still trying to determine how and why Jill Sobule, the award-winning singer-songwriter and human-rights activist, died in a house fire in Woodbury early Thursday morning.
Firefighters were called to the 9200 block of Pinehurst Road, near Interlachen Parkway, around 5:30 a.m. after receiving a report of a fire.
When crews arrived, they found the house in flames and were told by the homeowners that one person — identified as a woman in her 60s — was still possibly inside. Firefighters found Sobule's body inside the home. Woodbury Public Safety said Thursday there were no immediate signs of foul play.
The Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office said the investigation into the cause of death is pending toxicology results. It could take six to eight weeks for those results, a spokesman said Friday.
Sobule, 66, was in the Twin Cities to visit friends, record an episode of 'The Brian Oake Show' podcast with the former Cities 97 and 89.3 The Current DJ and help prepare for a show, 'Jill Sobule presents F*ck 7th Grade & More: A Pride Month Event!,' which was scheduled to be performed at the Parkway Theater in Minneapolis on June 11.
She made history with her 1995 single 'I Kissed a Girl' as the first openly gay-themed song ever to crack the Billboard Top 20. She also was known for the song 'Supermodel,' which was featured in the 1995 movie 'Clueless.'
'Jill Sobule was a force of nature and human rights advocate whose music is woven into our culture,' John Porter, her manager, said in a statement. 'I was having so much fun working with her. I lost a client and a friend today. I hope her music, memory, and legacy continue to live on and inspire others.'
Her booking agent, Craig Grossman, wrote that he was fortunate to know Sobule 'beyond a professional relationship. No one made me laugh more. Her spirit and energy shall be greatly missed within the music community and beyond.'
Burnsville Firefighter Adam Finseth's name being added at national memorial
Jill Sobule, singer-songwriter known for 'I Kissed a Girl,' dies in Woodbury fire
Singer Jill Sobule dies in Woodbury house fire
St. Paul police plan to encrypt dispatches, as have Minneapolis, other agencies
Apostle Supper Club across from the Xcel Energy Center to close
Sobule was scheduled to perform her show 'Jill Sobule presents: Songs From F*ck 7th Grade & More' at Swallow Hill Music's Tuft Theater in Denver tonight, according to a statement posted by her publicists. Instead, there will be 'an informal gathering' hosted by Rob Bostwick, a host at 105.5 The Colorado Sound and a friend of Sobule's. She was a native of Denver.
'Folks are encouraged to join their fellow Jill friends and fans to share a story or song,' according to the statement, which also noted that there will be a formal memorial celebrating Sobule's 'life and legacy' later this summer.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Which celebrity kids with a Florida tie graduated class of 2025? List of nepo baby graduates
Congratulations, class of 2025! It's graduation season for high school and college students, and for the celebrity kids listed below, the spotlight is on them — rather than their famous family members. We've compiled a Florida list of celebrity children, sometimes referred to as 'nepo babies' (short for nepotism) in pop culture, who graduated class of 2025. We also listed some famous students from Florida and their respective graduation years. Sam Alexis Woods, the daughter of golf legend Tiger Woods and former model Elin Nordegren, graduated May 16, 2025, from the Benjamin School in Palm Beach Gardens in Palm Beach County, Florida. Other famous students at the Benjamin School include her younger brother, rising junior Charlie Woods, and Kai Madison Trump, the oldest granddaughter of President Donald Trump and daughter of Vanessa Trump, whom Tiger Woods is currently dating. In March 2025, Tiger Woods made headlines for being in the stands cheering for daughter Sam at her state championship soccer match. Photos and video clips of a certified "greatest of all time" athlete rooting for his kid made the rounds on TikTok, Instagram and other social media platforms. The GOAT went viral for being a supportive dad. In news interviews, Sam Woods has mentioned avoiding a professional career in golf because as a child, the tournaments meant long absences away from her father. But as the daughter of a GOAT, Sam Woods made her own mark as an athlete: In addition to track and field, Sam Woods was a member of the Benjamin School Buccaneers soccer team. Her younger brother, Charlie Woods, however, is starting to make a name for himself in golf. In fall 2025, Tiger Woods' oldest child heads to Stanford University. The next major milestone − for Sam Woods and for her famous parents? Turning 18 on June 18, 2025. Nick Roker, youngest son of Al Roker and Deborah Roberts, graduated from Landmark College in Putney, Vermont, on May 17, 2025. It was a double graduation weekend for the celebrity meteorologist, who also gave a commencement address to Siena College's class of 2025 on May 18 in Siena, New York. Al Roker is the longtime chief meteorologist and 'Today' show co-host on NBC, and Roberts is a senior national affairs correspondent for ABC News. From 1987 to 1990, Roberts worked at WFTV Channel 9 in Orlando, Florida, covering NASA and Kennedy Space Center as a reporter before becoming weekend news co-anchor at the station. She also was co-anchor of the ABC News show '20/20' and previously worked at NBC News and "Dateline NBC.' Al Roker and Deborah Roberts have been married since 1995. Last month, Al Roker shared his excitement about his son's graduation with his Instagram followers: 'Three years ago, we dropped him off as a first-year college student. Today @nickroker155 has his #associatesdegree in #communications and we could not be prouder of how hard he has worked and is determined to get his #bachelorsdegree' In 2019, the proud dad said during a "Today" show segment that Nick Roker has 'special needs.' He and Deborah Roberts have been vocal advocates for their son. The pair also are parents to daughter Leila, and Courtney, Al Roker's daughter from a previous marriage. Hunter Fieri, eldest son of Guy Fieri, longtime Food Network star and culinary icon, and Lori Fieri graduated May 8, 2025, with a master's degree in business administration (or MBA) from the University of Miami in Miami, Florida. Over the years, he's appeared on TV with his famous father, like Food Network's "Tournament of Champions," making a name for himself in the culinary world. In the "Hunter Fieri graduation" Instagram video that Guy Fieri posted to his social media networks, the proud father can be heard cheering when his son walked on stage to collect his diploma. Hunter Fieri proudly displayed the "hand gesture" for the University of Miami in the Instagram Reel, too, sparking cheers from the crowd. 'I have have so many blessings in my life, but the biggest and most important always revolve around my family,' the host of Food Network's longtime show "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" wrote on Instagram, tagging his three boys, one of which is his nephew, Jules Fieri, whom he's raising. 'Hard work and determination! Working on Hunt Ryde Wine company, shooting multiple, being on the road, and getting an MBA. The road to success!! So proud of you, Hunter." Some famous people responded to Guy Fieri's Instagram post, including Sammy Hagar, Iron Chef Alex Guarnaschelli and Iron Chef Michael Symon. Guy Fieri moved to Florida in 2021, buying a home in Lake Worth Beach and another on Singer Island in Palm Beach County. His Lake Worth Beach property, which he has referred to as the "Flavortown Mansion,' was recently sold to Las Vegas restaurateurs, but he still has the Singer Island home. Up next for Hunter Fieri? He will marry his fiancee Tara Bernstein the weekend of June 13, 2025, at his father's ranch in California. Jules Fieri, nephew of Food Network star Guy Fieri ("Guy's Grocery Games," "Tournament of Champions") and his wife, Lori Fieri, graduated from college on May 17, 2025. He received a master's degree in entertainment law from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, California. 'I could not be more proud of my nephew, @jfieri He has worked full time as an agent in the music industry while attending law school at night for the last 2 years. Wow! Hard work, dedication, perseverance and determination are just few words that represent my amazing nephew CONGRATULATIONS JULES!!!' Bryce Maximus James, youngest son of LeBron James, who played four seasons with the Miami Heat, and wife Savannah James, graduated May 22, 2025, from Sierra Canyon High School in Los Angeles, California. Lebron James won two NBA championships and two NBA MVP awards when he played for the Heat. At the time, he lived in Coconut Grove, a neighborhood in Miami, Florida, buying a home there in 2010. Savannah James has been with her husband since high school — the couple married in 2013. Together, they have three children — LeBron "Bronny" James, who plays for the L.A. Lakers, Bryce James and Zhuri James. Like his brother Bronny, Bryce James played basketball and graduated from Sierra Canyon High School. Both of the James' boys are playing basketball in college. His parents said he'll attend the University of Arizona in fall 2025. Proud mom Savannah James posted a note May 23, 2025, to her social media followers : 'Yesterday we celebrated @_justbryce as he walks into a new chapter of life!! So proud of you and all the hard work you've done to get to this point. This is only the beginning! Keep striving to be the absolute best version of you! Love you more than words can explain and so excited to see what the future has for you!! I love you Stink!!" Barron Trump, the youngest son of President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, will be a sophomore at New York University's Stern School of Business in fall 2025. He started classes in September 2024 and is projected to graduate with the class of 2028. Barron Trump graduated high school May 17, 2024, from Oxbridge Academy near West Palm Beach, Florida. Though he has a large family, the only family members who attended his graduation were Donald and Melania Trump and her father, Viktor Knavs. At 18 years old, Kai Trump is the oldest of Donald Trump's 11 grandchildren and just over a year younger than her uncle Barron Trump. Her parents are Donald Trump Jr. and ex-wife Vanessa Trump, who is currently dating Tiger Woods. Kai Trump shares her grandfather's love of golf. She plays competitively with The Benjamin School's girls' team and in August 2024, announced her commitment to stay in Florida for college and play golf at the University of Miami after she graduates in class of 2026. 'I am beyond excited to announce my verbal commitment to the University of Miami,' Kai wrote in an August 18, 2024, Instagram post. 'I would like to thank my mom, Vanessa, and my dad, Don, for always supporting me through my journey. I would also like to thank my great team for getting me to this point. I would like to thank my grandpa for giving me access to great courses and tremendous support… I am super excited to be a cane and represent the University of Miami. Gooo Canes!' Charlie Axel Woods, son of Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren and younger brother of Sam Alexis Woods, is a rising junior at the Benjamin School in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Born Feb. 8, 2009, in Florida, Charlie Woods helped his varsity golf team win a state title when he was a freshman. Like his father, Charlie Woods is making a name for himself in golf. He's projected to graduate in the class of 2027. Contributing: Lianna Norman, USA TODAY Network Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Celebrity children graduations: Which stars celebrated class of 2025?
18 hours ago
'I have killed for you': Husband's words crack nearly decade-old murder of missing nurse's aide
A husband's chilling words to his wife -- "I have killed for you" -- finally cracked a cold case murder that had haunted an Illinois town for nearly a decade. Bonnie Woodward, a 47-year-old mother of four, vanished from her workplace parking lot in Alton, Illinois, on June 25, 2010. A nurse's aide at Eunice Smith Nursing Home for 25 years, Woodward was last seen talking to a man after her shift. Witnesses described him as a white male with salt-and-pepper hair, driving a silver or gray Chevy Malibu. A new "20/20" episode, "I Have Killed For You," airing Friday, June 6, at 9 p.m. ET on ABC and streaming the next day on Hulu, examines the case. You can also get more behind-the-scenes of each week's episode by listening to "20/20: The After Show" weekly series right on your "20/20" podcast feed on Mondays, hosted by "20/20" co-anchor Deborah Roberts. Her red Chevy Avalanche was found abandoned with windows rolled down -- a detail that immediately alarmed her family. "She loved that truck. She worked really hard to get that truck. She absolutely wouldn't have just left it," her niece Rachel Lee told "20/20." The disappearance was particularly suspicious given that Woodward's 17-year-old stepdaughter, Heather, had recently run away from home. Eight days after Woodward vanished, Heather suddenly appeared at a local library, revealing she had been staying with a family from her church, the Carrolls. The investigation's first break came when Roger Carroll's fingerprints were found on Woodward's truck. Even though he and his car matched witnesses' descriptions of the man Woodward was seen talking to the day she vanished, he denied the evidence. "Then I've been framed," Carroll told detectives. "There's no way that my fingerprints are on that car door." Prosecutors determined there was not enough evidence to charge Carroll based on fingerprints alone. The case went cold until March 2018, when Carroll's wife Monica fled their home after an alleged domestic assault. While recounting the alleged violent incident to police, Monica told them that Carroll said, "I have killed for you." When police searched for him afterward, they found him in the woods, having attempted suicide by insulin injection. Carroll was arrested and charged with Woodward's murder and domestic abuse of Monica. The case broke wide open when Roger and Monica's son Nathan, then 24, was called to testify before a grand jury. With immunity granted, Nathan detailed what he said happened to Woodward eight years earlier. He told prosecutors that his father made him leave their family vacation early, while his mother stayed behind, and drive to the nursing home where Woodward worked. Later that day, while eating lunch at home, Nathan said he heard eight or nine gunshots. When he walked outside, he said he saw feet wearing tennis shoes and tan scrubs. What he said happened next was even more disturbing -- Nathan testified that his father had him help maintain a blaze in their backyard to burn Woodward's body. "They start a massive fire," Jennifer Mudge, the special prosecutor on the case, said. "It had to be stoked all night, all day, all night, every couple of hours, and Roger had Nathan help him do that." Nathan led investigators to three key locations on the Carroll property: where he said Woodward was shot, where he claimed her body was burned and the creek where he said her ashes were dumped. Police found 27 pieces of what they believed to be bone fragments although later tests could not determine if they were Woodward's remains. Nathan also testified that his father described Woodward as "a bad person" and that she was mean, aggressive and abusive to her stepdaughter Heather. Heather told police she did not know anything about her stepmother's disappearance and murder. Despite not having a body, prosecutors secured a conviction in Woodward's case on March 16, 2020. Carroll was sentenced to 65 years in prison -- 40 years for first-degree murder, plus 25 years for using a firearm. The domestic abuse charge was dropped by prosecutors. Carroll is appealing his conviction. The Illinois Supreme Court granted permission for the appeal, which is likely to be argued this fall. "When I heard the jury found him guilty, that was the blessing to my ears to hear," Gary Wilmurth Sr., Woodward's boyfriend, told "20/20." "Roger Carroll robbed her kids, her grandkids, friends, family. But we won't never forget her, and we won't forget him." For Mudge, the verdict carried a deeper meaning. "Bonnie, finally, she could be at rest," she told "20/20." "I don't believe in the word closure. It doesn't exist in my mind. But Bonnie can now rest peacefully." If you need help or need help supporting someone else, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788 or chat online at All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7. If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide or worried about a friend or loved one, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for free, confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Newsweek
a day ago
- Newsweek
America's Got Talent Season 20 Episode 3 Release Date, Where to Watch
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors America's Got Talent Season 20 got off to an entertaining start on May 27. Here's when you can catch episode 3, and the next wave of audacious AGT auditions. AGT's landmark 20th season sees long-term judges Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel and Sofía Vergara once again join much-loved host Terry Crews, now on his seventh consecutive season, as they seek to find the most talented person (or people) in the country. There's also the return of Mel B, who returns to the panel after a six-season hiatus, replacing Heidi Klum. Read on for where and when to watch the next episode. The Messoudi Brothers earned Mel B's golden buzzer in episode 2 The Messoudi Brothers earned Mel B's golden buzzer in episode 2 NBC America's Got Talent Season 20 Release Date AGT Season 20 premiered on NBC on Tuesday, May 27, 8/7c with a two-hour episode. America's Got Talent Season 20 Episode 3 Release Date America's Got Talent Season 20 Episode 3 airs on NBC on June 10, 2025 at 8/7c. How to Watch America's Got Talent Season 20 New episodes of AGT Season 20 air Tuesdays at 8/7c on NBC and are available to stream the next day on Peacock. As for the popular live shows, these kick off Tuesday, August 19 at 8/7c on NBC. Results air on Wednesday nights at 8/7c. America's Got Talent Episode Schedule Here's the full episode list for America's Got Talent Season 20, running from May 27 to June 24, 2025. Episode 1 - May 27, 2025 Episode 2 - June 3, 2025 Episode 3 - June 10, 2025 Episode 4 - June 17, 2025 Episode 5 - June 24, 2025 Who Are the Judges for America's Got Talent Season 20? Howie Mandel, Sofía Vergara, Simon Cowell, and Mel B are the judges for AGT Season 20. Together, they have over three decades of experience on the judging panel. America's Got Talent Season 20 Trailer Look below for the America's Got Talent Season 20 trailer, which contains a sizzle reel of everything that's coming up on the show. That includes comedy acts, dance extravaganzas, not to mention a nostalgic recap of the show's glittering past.
