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Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Publicist shot to death after walking 'Burlesque' red carpet













Los Angeles, California -- Longtime Hollywood publicist Ronni Chasen died when "multiple shots" were fired into her Mercedes as she drove home from a Hollywood movie premiere early Tuesday, a coroner's spokesman said.

Police said they have no suspects or motive for the attack, which happened near the posh Beverly Hills Hotel.

Chasen, 64, was driving along Sunset Boulevard in Beverly Hills when several shots fired into her car struck her, Beverly Hills police Sgt. Robert Maycott said.

She was seen on the red carpet with a client, songwriter Diane Warren, at the Grauman's Chinese Theater premiere of "Burlesque" Monday evening. Warren contributed a song to the movie's soundtrack, according to production notes from the studio.

Beverly Hills police received a report of gunfire heard near the intersection of Sunset and Whittier Drive at 12:20 a.m. (3:20 a.m. ET), Maycott said.

Police found her car crashed into a utility pole with Chasen still alive, he said. She died later at Cedars-Sinai Hospital, he said.

The shooting involved "multiple shots fired into the vehicle," according to Lt. Fred Corral, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County coroner.

CNN video of the red carpet arrivals for the premiere showed Chasen walking with Warren as she and "Burlesque" star Cher were interviewed about the music in the film.

Michael Levine, head of Levine Communications Office, called Chasen a "beloved, iconic figure."

Levine, who said he has known Chasen for 25 years, has started a reward fund with a goal of raising $25,000 by next week.

"We must do everything possible to assist the Beverly Hills police in solving this horrific crime," Levine said. "Ronni gave the utmost for her clients and this industry."

Hollywood celebrity public relations is "like a small family," said Edward Lozzi, who operates a small Beverly Hills firm.

Chasen was a "class act" and "the ultimate professional," Lozzi said.

Chasen was "so good promoting great films," and had special talent for creating pre-Oscar buzz for her acting clients, publicist Steve Jaffe said.

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