Hollywood Publicist Was Killed By Hitman, Evidence Suggests

Police investigating the murder of Ronni Chasen believe the person who shot her was a professional killer.

Chasen was murdered as she drove home on Sunset Boulevard after attending the premier of Burlesque on Nov. 15. Her assassin fired at least four bullets into the passenger window of her Mercedes, and because the shots were fired so accurately and hollow-tipped bullets were used, police believe her killer was an expert. Hollow-tipped bullets are preferred by hitmen because they cause maximum internal injuries. Police now believe someone paid to have Chasen killed, and her death was not a random shooting. The 64-year-old was a veteran publicist in Los Angeles who was well known for her ability to generate Oscar buzz. Last year she successfully engineered the campaign to give Jeff Bridges the Academy Award for best actor.