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Woman Shot in Beverly Hills ID'd as Hollywood Publicist Ronni Chasen

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Ronni Chasen (Deadline Hollywood Daily)

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Authorities have identified the woman who was found shot to death inside a crashed vehicle in Beverly Hills overnight. The victim is 64-year-old Ronni Chasen, a "longtime Hollywood publicist" who "has represented such entertainment luminaries as the late actress Natalie Wood, composer Hans Zimmer, and move producers Dick Zanuck and Irwin Winkler," according to LA Now.Chasen was reportedly well-respected in the entertainment industry. Prior to launching her own firm, Chasen was a senior publicist with Rogers & Cowan. Deadline Hollywood Daily's Nikki Finke says she spoke with Chasen yesterday evening. Their report includes the following remarks about Chasen: "She was incredibly well-liked and her enthusiasm for her clients was infectious, even to the most cynical of journalist."

The investigation into Chasen's shooting death is ongoing. She was shot multiple times in the chest, and crashed her Mercedes-Benz into a pole. The crime was first reported around 12:30 this morning. Chasen was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

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