Documentary Producer Found Dead In Apparent Suicide

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A documentary producer has been found dead in his car at the bottom of a ravine in Angeles National Forest Wednesday in an apparent suicide.

Brian Phillip Gerber, 41,was found in in the wreckage of a silver Toyota Prius off Angeles Crest Highway near Mile Marker 31 shortly after 7 a.m., according to police and a coroner's spokesman.

Gerber disappeared from the Los Feliz area, according to a report filed Monday with Los Angeles Police, and a family friend said he has been despondent after a recent loss of employment.

He was best known for organizing Digital Hollywood's twice-per-year summit, the next of which is scheduled for mid-October at the Ritz Carlton in Marina del Rey. His producing credits include Leonardo DiCaprio's global-warming documentary "The 11th Hour and "The Dungeon Masters."

Gerber, who was reportedly married to actress Arabella Field, is survived by two children.

Gerber's death is the latest suicide by a Hollywood figure in as many weeks. On Aug. 18, "Top Gun" director Tony Scott leaped to his death from the Vincent Thomas Bridge in San Pedro.