Film Publicist Ronni Chasen Murdered in Beverly Hills 

Ronni Chasen, a publicist known for her work on films including Driving Miss Daisy and for helping to launch the gay television network here!, was found dead of five gunshot wounds Tuesday in her car in Beverly Hills. She was 64.

According to the Beverly Hills Courier, police responded in the early hours of Tuesday morning to a report that a car had crashed into a light pole on Whittier Drive just south of Sunset Boulevard. There were at least two reports of multiple gunshots in the Benedict Canyon area at about that time.

When police first arrived on the scene, they reported that Chasen was "in and out of consciousness but breathing." They did not mention gunshot wounds, RMG News reported.

It was only when the Beverly Hills firefighter-paramedics arrived that they discovered the gunshot wounds.

Chasen worked as the publicist for here! Networks in the early days of the gay television venture. Here! Networks is owned by the same parent company as The Advocate.

"Throughout her distinguished career, Ms. Chasen dedicated herself to advancing LGBT visibility through media. She worked tirelessly bring attention to here! Networks and its programming with a charisma and positive energy that radiated from her persona. Ronni was a staple in the Hollywood community and will be truly missed," said Paul Colichman, CEO of Here Media.

According to CNN, Chasen had attended the Los Angeles premiere for the Cher-Christina Aguilera film Burlesque earlier in the evening. She walked the red carpet with a client, songwriter Diane Warren, who contributed music to the film.

Chasen had made a name for herself as a unit publicist on films including Daisy, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, and On Golden Pond. In more recent years she headed up Chasen & Company Public Relations/Marketing.