Beverly Hills Murder Mystery: Police Reported Checking Security Camera Video

Nov. 18, 2010 — -- Who killed Ronni Chasen, the high-powered Hollywood publicist who was gunned down in her car on a Beverly Hills street? The Hollywood Reporter, citing an unnamed Beverly Hills official, says police believe the attack "was planned in advance and not the result of road rage or a carjacking gone awry."

The Reporter's website also said there was "relevant footage" from at least one security camera near the site of the shooting. It said the video came from the home of Sherry Hackett, widow of the late comedian and actor Buddy Hackett, who lived down the block.

Chasen, 64, was murdered after the leaving the premiere party for the Cher movie "Burlesque" early Tuesday morning.

She was shot five times in the chest before she crashed her Mercedes Benz E530 into a light pole.

Publicly, Beverly Hills police say they have few leads.

"No motive, no suspects, no persons of interest," Beverly Hills Police Sgt. Lincoln Hoshino told ABC News.

'A Safe Street'

Chasen was shot on what Beverly Hills police told ABC News is "a safe street" in a residential area, just south of Sunset Boulevard.

"It's a highly unusual case, especially for the city of Beverly Hills," Sgt. Lincoln said.

Police are also analyzing data from computers seized from the Beverly Hills public relations firm Chasen owned.

Sandy Wang, a neighbor of Chasen's, told ABC station KABC-TV she thought the shooting was not random. "That corner is a very quiet neighborhood with multi-million-dollar mansions surrounding it. So it wouldn't be a random thing that someone would do that."

Who Killed Ronni Chasen?

While police investigated Chasen's death, friends, family and stars mourned her.

"She was just a terrific person, a great sense of humor, great energy, very successful in her profession, a loving person," Chasen's brother Larry Cohen told ABC News.

"She certainly didn't deserve anything like this to happen to her," Cohen said.

Chasen began her career as an actress and later moved on to the world of promoting Hollywood's top movies and actors. She worked on award winning films including "The Hurt Locker," winner of last year's Academy Award for Best Picture.

Actor Morgan Freeman said in a statement, "I met Ronni when I was filming 'Driving Miss Daisy.' We remained friends ever since. She is someone I greatly admired, and she will be remembered."

Helaine Ross, a friend of Chasen's, said, "She was the Elizabeth Taylor of public relations. Everybody knew her and especially people who were directors and composers and writers and stars."

In New York City, friends and colleagues of the publicist gathered at Michael's Restaurant to honor Chasen's life Wednesday evening.

Chasen's brother is also searching for answers in his sister's death. "What can you say in a case like this? It's just a terrible thing and we're trying to get through it," Cohen said.

"The more visibility it gets the better chance the police will get busy and do something."

A funeral will be held for Chasen on Sunday.