Something Fishy ........

Hollywood publicist Ronni Chasen was murdered in the early hours of Tuesday in Beverly Hills, RadarOnline.com reports. Chasen, 64, was shot five times in the chest while driving her Mercedes-Benz and crashed into a pole. She was pronounced dead at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

The LA Times verified the information with the LA County coroner's office, adding that police are searching for the shooter.

Fellow publicist Howard Bragman called the killing "bizarre," telling the Associated Press, "She wasn't a shady character." He also remembered her fondly to the Times, "She had been doing this forever. She had a lot of class, a lot of style and a lot of intelligence. She was just very, very well-respected."

According to Deadline, Chasen attended the LA premiere of 'Burlesque' on the night of her death. She was working on getting Oscar bids for 'Alice in Wonderland 3D' and for Michael Douglas in 'Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps.'

"We were all together last night, and Ronni was having the best time doing what she enjoyed most," producer Donald De Line told Deadline on Tuesday. "I am in shock; that this could happen is incomprehensible. Only a few hours ago we were celebrating. I'm glad she was happy last night and that she was in all her glory."

Chasen represented 'Inception' composer Hans Zimmer, producers Dick Zanuck and Irwin Winkler, and actress Natalie Wood, who died in 1981. She worked on Oscar campaigns for films like 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,' 'Doubt,' 'The Wrestler,' 'There Will Be Blood,' 'Babel,' 'Crazy Heart' and 'Walk The Line.' Chasen became MGM's senior vice president of worldwide publicity in 1993.

The LA Times reported Wednesday that detectives have several leads but remain uncertain of the motive for the crime. Beverly Hills police are currently seeking security videos of the shooting and subsequent crash. Sgt. Lincoln Hishino told the Times there would be a "thorough investigation."

Police told The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday:
"On Nov. 16th 2010 at approximately 12:28AM Beverly Hills police officers received info regarding shots that were heard in the area of Sunset and Whittier, shortly after a collision was reported in the same area. Units arrived and discovered a newer black Mercedes Benz E-350 involved in a solo crash to the light pole. The lone female occupant was located in the vehicle with apparent multiple gunshot wounds to her chest. Beverly Hills paramedics transported the victim to a local hospital where she was later pronounced deceased. The investigation is in the preliminary stages and no further information is available at this time. At this time there is no suspect, info or motive for this crime."

Publicist Jim Dobson told the Times he spoke with Chasen at a party after midnight, little more than an hour before her death. "She was happy-go-lucky and gossipy and fun, just like she always was," Dobson said. "We talked about food and life, just normal things. There wasn't any sign of stress."

Morgan Freeman said in a statement: "I had the extreme pleasure of working with Ronni on 'Driving Miss Daisy.' We've been friends ever since. She is someone I greatly admired, and she will be remembered."

Chasen was an active community member who spent time with Women in Film and Big Sisters of Los Angeles.