Wrong man? Police reveal 'suspect' who shot himself may not have been involved in brutal murder of Hollywood publicist

Police have now said they are unsure if a man who shot himself in a Santa Monica apartment building was involved at all in the brutal murder of Hollywood publicist Ronni Chasen. Officials released a mugshot of Harold Smith, 43, but doubts are continuing to grow over his role in Miss Chasen's death.

It comes as a friend of Miss Chasen revealed she had wanted to rewrite her will just two months before she was shot dead in Beverley Hills.

A statement from LAPD said: 'At this time, it is unknown if this individual was involved in the Chasen homicide.'

Mr Smith shot himself dead on Wednesday when he was confronted by police in his apartment building on Santa Monica Boulevard. Officers said they had acted on a tip from TV show 'America's Most Wanted' which involved Mr Smith. When detectives tried to question him in the lobby of the Harvey Apartments building, he raised a gun to his head and shot himself.

Police have only described him as a 'person of interest' and insisted their investigation was not over with his death.

Details of his past have cast further doubt on whether he was the 'expert marksmen' said to have shot Miss Chasen. Smith had served two prison sentences for weapons and drugs. He had also been under police surveillance for some time.

Neighbours described him bragging about killing Miss Chasen and being paid for the shooting. Terri Gilpin, who described him as a 'strange' man, said: 'He bragged all the time that he was the one who killed the publicist, and he was always talking about how he was going to get paid $10,000 for it.' However, it later emerged the mystery payment related to a compensation deal he had won through a civil lawsuit.

Another neighbour, Brandon Harrison, told the LA Times he had vowed never to go back to prison. 'He told me several times, "if it ever came back down to me going to prison, I would die first",' he said.

Martha Smilgis, a friend of Miss Chasen's for 30 years, has said she had been approached by the publicist to update her will - which had first been drafted in 1994. She told RadarOnline.com: 'It was just like, you know, "I'm doing this because I've got to update it". 'I thought, "Ronni's the last person that I know who's going to die - too health conscious, she doesn't take risks".'

Miss Chasen, 64, was shot five times int he chest at close range at around 12.30am on November 16 as she drove her Mercedes-Benz along Sunset Boulevard in Beverley Hills. She had been driving home from a party after appearing on the red carpet alongside Christina Aguilera at the premiere of the movie Burlesque.

Her brother, Larry Cohen, a screenwriter, has revealed he believed she was the victim of a road rage attack. He told Showbiz411: 'I'm sure it was road rage. I'm sure it was some kind of random thing.'

An initial coroner's report suggested Miss Chasen had been the victim of a professional killing.

Her estate has been estimated to be worth $6.1million, but the bulk of her inheritance is said to go to just one of her two nieces, Melissa Cohen. It emerged she had left just $10 to her other niece, Jill Cohen, in an apparent snub.

Her June 1994 will said: 'I have intentionally and with full knowledge of the consequences omitted to provide for my niece, Jill Cohen, also known as Jill Gatsby, except for the gift of $10.'

Miss Chasen's death has sent shockwaves through he entertainment industry and triggered endless consipiracy theories. Friends insisted the popular publicist did not have any enemies and rumours have surfaced that she was helping someone close to her pay off gambling debts.

The LA coroner said her injuries were consistent with her being targeted by a professional gunman. The report said: 'There were three apparent gunshot wounds to the right side breast/chest area. There were two apparent gunshot wounds to the right shoulder. 'There was an apparent gunshot wound to the right upper back and the left upper back. 'One bullet was recovered from her back while at the hospital and is possibly a 9mm hollow point.'

Police believe the gunman fired from an SUV or truck that pulled alongside Miss Chasen's car. The report added: 'After being struck by gunfire, she then made a left turn and drove for approximately a quarter mile before she crashed her car into a pole.'

Original report here




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