Filed under: News
Hollywood "it" publicist Ronni Chasen (pictured right), who was gunned down three weeks ago, was probably the victim of a robbery gone bad, according to Beverly Hills Police Department investigators.
The Chasen murder case has been a roller coaster of conspiracy theories. The famed behind-the-scenes wheeler and dealer, who was best known for directing the Academy Award campaigns of more than 100 films in her career, including 'Driving Miss Daisy' and 'The Hurt Locker,' was shot five times in the chest in the wee hours of Nov. 16, crashing her Mercedes-Benz sedan into a light pole.
Harold Martin Smith (pictured) was a "person of interest" whom police wanted to question about Chasen's murder. Investigators were informed about Smith by a tipster who viewed the show 'America's Most Wanted.'
They were led to Smith at his Los Angeles apartment. When police arrived at the residence of the career criminal, who had been arrested seven times including two felonies, they received the unexpected. Before they could question 43-year-old Smith about Chasen's death, he pulled out a gun and fatally shot himself.
Detectives now suspect Smith may have been the killer who gunned down Chasen, and they believe he used a bicycle to commit the act, which was his only mode of transportation. Police investigators also speculate Smith acted alone, and they have discarded the possibility that the crime was a professional hit.
Neighbors informed police that they heard Smith brag about how he was paid $10,000 to kill Chasen, but investigators state this is not true. Sgt. Michael Publicker, of the Beverly Hills Police Department said at a press conference held outside of the BHPD headquarters on Wednesday, "It appears that he did act alone. Whether Mr. Smith knew Mrs. Chasen, it does not appear, at this time, there's any connection between the two."
It has been confirmed that the gun Smith used to shoot himself is also the same murder weapon that was used to kill Chasen. At Wednesday's press conference, Beverly Hills Mayor Jimmy Delshad stated, "While the case is not fully resolved, all we know is that the gun matches the bullet." The final ballistics report will not be released for approximately two weeks, but there is speculation that there is little chance that the final report will differ from the preliminary report.
Since police said the case is 60 to 70 percent incomplete, reporters asked why the BHPD believe that Smith was the only shooter? Sgt. Lincoln Hoshino replied, "BHPD will not divulge that information, other than the fact that's what we believe."
And the plot thickens.