Some wild and paranoid theories about the murder of publicist Ronni Chasen are sweeping through Hollywood.
While Beverly Hills police are saying little, the movie capital’s most creative minds are coming up with their own theories on why the veteran publicist, who appeared to have no enemies, was shot to death as she drove home from the premiere of the movie “Burlesque” in the early hours of Nov. 16.
A source told us, “One theory is that somebody close to Ronni had substantial gambling debts of up to half a million dollars, and she was being chased for the money. She was tough and refused to pay up, and so paid the ultimate price.
“Another theory is that it was a Russian mob killing, linked to investors on one of her many movies who were not satisfied with its performance,” the source said.
“There are many other rumors, from an art deal gone wrong to jealousy over her successful Oscar campaigns.” A different source even suggested it could have been a gang initiation, citing recent, unreported violent episodes in Beverly Hills.
Page Six reported on Saturday that Chasen confided to a friend last winter that she feared she was being followed. Police spokesman Lt. Tony Lee didn’t return calls yesterday. But he earlier told us, “People are coming out with all types of theories. But we will not rule out anything until the perpetrator is found.”
Chasen’s close friends also remained silent. Publicist Michael Levine said, “Sorry, I don’t know anything and don’t want to play a guessing game.”
Officers have interviewed staff from Chasen’s office as well as her songwriter client Diane Warren, who spent the final hours with her at the “Burlesque” premiere. Warren wrote “You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me” for Cher.
The LA county coroner’s office told NBC in LA yesterday that it would wait to complete results of toxicology tests to announce the official cause of Chasen’s death.