Hollywood Publicist's Brother Has Theory on Murder

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) -- Hollywood screenwriter Larry Cohen, the brother of late publicist Ronni Chasen is speaking out about her murder.

Speaking to The New York Times, Cohen, who has co-written B-movies like 2007's "Captivity" and the 2008 remake of 1974 horror film "It's Alive," denounced speculation that deceased career criminal Harold Smith, who police deemed a "person of interest" in Chasen's murder, was involved in the Nov. 16 shooting in Beverly Hills. Despite Smith bragging to neighbors that he was a hired hitman who carried out the murder, Cohen remains unconvinced.

"This guy was a deranged person who just made that up; no way he was involved," Cohen told the Times.

The murder investigation continues to unfold, but Cohen has his own theory on what happened, stating, "I still think this was most likely a case of road rage."

The Beverly Hills Police remain unsure about the suspect's involvement in the murder, with a department spokesperson announcing in a Dec. 3 press statement: "Undercover officers attempted to contact a person of interest (Smith) when he pulled a gun and took his own life. At this time, it is unknown if this individual was involved in the Chasen homicide."

Smith killed himself on Dec. 1 as police detectives attempted to serve him a warrant at his Hollywood apartment concerning the slaying of the Hollywood publicist.