Watch CBS News

Police Chief Confirms Final Ballistics Tests In Chasen Murder

BEVERLY HILLS (AP) —  The Beverly Hills police chief says the final ballistics report confirms that an ex-con killed Hollywood publicist Ronni Chasen.

David Snowden told The Hollywood Reporter in a story posted on its website Wednesday that Harold Martin Smith, a 43-year-old with a long criminal record, was the man who shot Chasen. He said "there is no conspiracy, nothing else was involved."

Chasen was shot to death Nov. 16 as she drove through Beverly Hills on her way home from a film premiere. Police had looked into the possibility that she was targeted by a hit man, but a tip to the show "America's Most Wanted" led detectives to Smith.

He shot himself in the head when police arrived to a Hollywood apartment building to question him.

(© Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.