Daytime TV Talk Show Producer Released From Jail After Being Accused Of Murdering Hearing-Impaired Sister
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A veteran daytime TV talk show producer was arrested on suspicion of murder but was released Wednesday while an investigation continues into the death of a woman -- reportedly her sister -- at her Studio City home.
Jill Blackstone, 52, was arrested Monday, according to jail records.
Officer Drake Madison of the Los Angeles Police Department's Media Relations Section said prosecutors asked police to conduct more investigation before deciding whether to file charges, so Blackstone was released from custody.
Jail records show she was released late Wednesday afternoon.
The entertainment website TMZ.com reported that Blackstone told authorities there was a suicide victim and three dead dogs in the garage of her
Studio City home, but authorities thought the suicide note looked suspicious.
The woman was Blackstone's 49-year-old sister, according to TMZ.
Lt. Elissa Fleak of the coroner's office identified the dead woman as Wendy Blackstone and said the cause of death was pending the results of
toxicology tests.
Blackstone's credits include "The Jerry Springer Show," "Divorce Court," "The Tony Danza Show," "Family Court With Judge Penny," "Rosie" and "Sally Jessy Raphael." TMZ said she's also worked on "Dr. Drew" and "The Real."
According to her IMDb.com profile, she was also nominated for a 1993 Cable Ace Award as a producer on Lifetime's "Attitudes."
KCAL9's Andrea Fujii spoke to neighbors who said they didn't know the Blackstones well, although they they planned to move out soon. There are signs in front of the home mentioning a pending demolition.
"They were relatively reclusive people," said neighbor Ron Ross.
"They had two big dogs," said neighbor Julia Bulloff, "they were always in the front (yard) and they were kind of scary dogs."
On line, Blackstone says she runs an animal rescue agency. It is not clear if the dogs that were found dead were hers or belonging to the rescue.
Fujii said all calls to Blackstone were not returned.