TV producer Jill Blackstone, noted for her work on the television shows Jerry Springer, the Sally Jessy Raphael Show, and the Rosie O’Donnell Show, has been arrested in California in connection with the death of her deaf sister, TMZ reports.
Law enforcement officials told the site Blackstone called police Monday to report a suicide after she found the body of a deceased woman, along with three deceased dogs in her garage.
When officers arrived at the scene of her San Fernando Valley home to investigate, they became suspicious of a suicide note, which Blackstone alleged had been written by the victim. According to TMZ, police believe the note was written by Blackstone.
The victim is reported to be 49-year-old Wendy Blackstone, of Studio City, CA. Wendy’s body reportedly showed no visible signs of trauma, and investigators are awaiting the results of a toxicology report.
Blackstone is being held on a $1 million bail.
Blackstone’s personal website credits her with production work on the popular television shows Dr. Drew On Call, Divorce Court, Family Court, and the Tony Danza Show.
A short bio on the page also describes Blackstone as a “TV producer and consultant,” as well as the “president and founder of a 501(c)3 non-profit organization for rescuing and re-homing dogs in need.”
***UPDATE: The New York Daily News reports the charges against Blackstone have been dropped. “It was for a murder investigation. The DA has since dropped the charges. However, the investigation is still ongoing,” an LAPD source told the Daily News.
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